Boise State Broncos (2-0) +10.5 O/U 55 at #17 Oregon Ducks (3-0) -10.5 O/U 55 Saturday September 20, Eugene, OR. Autzen Stadium (54,000) 3:30 p.m. EST
By Wilson Mean Green of Predictem.com
The Oregon Ducks and the Boise State Broncos have never played against each other prior to Saturday’s game in Eugene.
The Ducks are coming off a hard fought come-from-behind win against the Purdue Boilermakers last week. The Ducks took the game into overtime and grabbed the win on the road thanks to two interceptions during the overtime period.
Oregon has played well when they are tested, and so far have cashed in on all three of there games this season but they may face a another feisty foe come Saturday afternoon on their home field.
The Boise Sate Broncos are also undefeated at 2-0, and they have a tremendous
young quarterback in Kellen Moore. Moore, who is a true
freshman from Prosser, Washington (a small town known for wine and high
school football) that is tucked away just two and half hours from Eugene
on the Washington-Oregon border.
Moore threw for 180 yards against Bowling Green last week by completing 18-of-23 passes and scored the games first touchdown on a 1-yard dive in the first quarter. Moore also led a 98 yard drive in which he tossed a 39 yard rollout pass to Jeremy Childs. The Broncos scored five plays later as Ian Johnson took it in from a yard out; Johnson rushed for 97 yards on the day.
But the Boise State defense may be Oregon’s worst nightmare as they have been solid all year. The Bronco’s defense had two takeaways and two sacks, which not scare OU fans as it was against Bowling Green after all. But I believe that Boise State has good athletes who play with their hearts on their sleeves-that always makes a difference, no matter what level or division you play in.
Oregon is fourth in the nation in total offense. The Ducks are averaging
562 yards per game with 323 of those yards coming on the ground. Oregon
also has seven players who have tallied 50 or more rushing yards in three
games this season. Junior running back LeGarrette Blount
leads the team in rushing with 284 yards.
The Ducks are ranked No. 12 in the coaches poll which is the highest since last November when they were ranked 10th.
Oregon Ducks head coach Mike Bellotti is 17-0 against the WAC and 1-0 this year as they beat Utah State earlier this year.
Boise State is usually praised for their offensive attack, but this year it’s their defense that is ranked 7th in the nation in scoring defense. Both defenses seem to be coming on track as of late as Oregon will surely be tough at home.
Oregon kicker Matt Evenson was named PAC-10 player of
the week for his efforts in the Purdue win as he booted the game tying field
goal along with three others in the game.
Wilson’s Pick: Oregon is always tough at Autzen in front of their crazy quacking fans. The Broncos will need every bit of QB true freshman Kellen Moore’s 10th in the nation passing efficiency to ruffle the Ducks feathers. Also, the Broncos head coach, Chris Peterson was an assistant at Oregon under Bellotti from 1995 to 2000; this could be the inside scoop that Boise State needs to combat these high flying Ducks! Vegas has the Ducks at -10.5. Expect that line to move UP before gametime.
