My Keys To The Game

[Mops]

It is no question this could be the most hyped up game in Oregon history to start a season. We know it is the end all games for Boise State so don't even try to down play that game. I've been thinking about this topic for a long time and trying to come up with three areas the Ducks need to do well in to win. I don't think three areas is enough, so here is five. The keys to the game go as followed for the Ducks


Oregon

1. Stay healthy along the offense and defensive lines.

Going into a hostile atmosphere known as Bronco Stadium with rebuilt lines and even a new coach along the defensive line is a scary situation. Oregon boasts proven talent on both sides of the ball here but there will be lots of new faces seeing action for the first time as starters and also as new contributors to the team. Staying healthy here will be key. We can't take an early injury to either side of the ball as it will throw off any rhythm and team chemistry we've built during fall camp. On offense the running game will be a very important part of our offense early in the season and in this game. An injury here will put a player who hasn't started or seen much action and that is a sticky situation for a road team.

2. Get pressure on Sophomore QB Kellen Moore.

It is no secret to Oregon and Boise that Oregon can't let Moore sit back in the pocket and dissect the Duck defense. Last season at Autzen the Ducks took the approach of bringing less heat and more coverage in the passing lanes. Moore's offensive line held off the weak rush and allowed Moore to pick apart the Ducks defenders. This fall camp the defense has stressed the importance of getting to the quarterback quickly and bringing the heat often. Boise knows we will be bringing the pressure and you can bet your house Boise Head Coach Chris Peterson has drawn up some protection packages for his talented sophomore leader. Boise returns a total of 40 career starts so the experience to play is there but the starting experience isn't. Test that lack of starting experience against a high profile team.

3. Win Special Teams/Limit Mistakes

In games where two top notch teams face off the games are usually going to be an epic game. Compound this fact with the fact this will be the first game both teams play and you are bound to see high level of energy, lots of hype around the game, and then first game mistakes. There will be turnovers. There will be blown coverages. There will be fumbles. Bad snaps will happen. Sounds like this should be winning the turnover battle, which is also true, but don't be surprised to see a big play get negated by a penalty or bad snap kills a drive. We then need to get a good punt off and cover it quickly. That snap and hold on a PAT is just as important as that touchdown play before it. Having a freshman long snapper and a freshman punter will be an area to watch. If the Ducks are mistake free in those areas along with great kickoffs, returns, and punts Oregon will put their offense and defense in a great spot to excel.

4. Can Blount be the primary back and who will fill his role from last year?

I know, I know, senior LaGarrette Blount rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and set a school record for touchdowns so how can I be concerned with him? I know he had an impressive fall camp. Call me crazy. The fact is Blount did most of his damage last season midway through the third quarter when the defense became banged up and tired from chasing now departed Jeremiah Johnson all over the field. With Johnson now gone and Blount's ability known to all I am interested to see if he can continue his rushing dominance early in games and as the feature back.

The second part to this question is who becomes this season's robin to the batman in Blount? My first guess is freshman LaMichael James. He was very impressive in scout team work last fall, this spring, and then this fall. He has shown great speed and ability to see the field very well. Can James do this on a regular basis?

5. Will Head Coach Chip Kelly have any adjustments to being Head Coach now?

It is a new era for Oregon football. One I think will be even better than the previous era, and that isn't a knock on Coach Mike Bellotti. I think the foundation poured by Bellotti and his teams have set Kelly up to be very successful and very early. The rise to success on a national level for Kelly came as the offensive coordinator for the Ducks. He was seated up high in the box and had the ability to see the entire field as the play developed.

Now he is on the field prowling up and down the sidelines. At New Hampshire he coached from there as the offensive coordinator so naturally the transition won't be a shock to him. However, now he not only does he need to monitor the offense but he needs to track the defense, special teams, and all over facets of the game. Will this be an issue? I doubt it, but it still needs to be asked.

[Greydrake]

IMO points 2 and 3 contain the keys to this game.
1) win the line of scrimage, on offensive and defense; the most serious element of the unknown of this team. If the offensive line is executing thier role properly I feel pretty confident in any back getting big chunks of yardage.
Agree that breaking through and pressuring Moore is critical. Question is where does that pressure come from and has "Allowalotof" made the changes necessary to get this defense to step up especially in the pass coverage..
2) win the turnover battle (certain Chip has that stat in his books). Protect the ball and limit your turnovers
3) special teams execution...just execute, no shanked punts, no fumbles on returns

Other 3 points you list appear to be topics of interest.

[GoDucksIn09]

I would have to tewnd to agree with Mops about points 2 and 3. Hopefully we do not need to punt very often. Given fact is a freshman long snapper and new punter might be a shank or God forbid 2. In those situations our defense is going to have to come out and make the plays to get the ball back to the offense.

I went and watched one practice and from my limited point of view I felt the O line was indeed an area of cpncern.They will be in a hostile enviroment and will need to perform well. Do not have to be perfect but do have to play well and give Masoli and our RB's the chance to make plays.

On a purely side note as one to watch for and maybe a key to win that has not been mentioned. How does Masoi play. Can he handle the emotions and execute the pass plays without making mistakes. Will the memory of what happened last year in Autzen be a factor .. will he be thinking bout that and become hesitant.
Does Masoli continue to build on the end of last year or will the first game jitters and the hostile enviorment cause him to take a step backwards. Do not get me wrong I will back Masoli being the starter and the starter for the season but this might be a different kind of game for him.

[Greydrake]

Trying to think of this from BSU's point of view...being thin in the D' line means they must ride out the initial wave, offensively control the game tempo and try to keep the defense as fresh as possible heading into the 4th quarter. Conditioning will play a big role late in the game. If the Ducks can mount serious upbeat long drives early in the game, this might not bode well for the Broncos in the latter quarters.

[wheaton4prez]

Broncos only hope on D is to commit 100% to stopping the run and hoping that the passing game isn't any good.

Our D only has to play old fashioned coverage to force them to earn field with many plays and not give up the big play. They will make mistakes and our line will get through along the way.