Five bold predictions for Oregon vs. Fresno State

At long last, Oregon’s season-opener is almost here. The Ducks will host Fresno State at 11 a.m. Saturday to kick off the 2021 campaign.

The ScoopDuck staff has already delivered predictions for who will be Oregon’s offensive player player of the game, as well as outright score predictions.

For good measure, here are five slightly outside-the-box predictions of what will unfold when the Ducks and Bulldogs face off Saturday.

Johnny Johnson III will be Oregon’s leading receiver

Troy Franklin stole the headlines during preseason camp, and could very well have a major impact in his college debut. But look for Johnson to rack up yards all afternoon.

Johnson has a formed really nice connection with Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown and will provide a consistent target for Brown all afternoon Saturday. The senior wideout also has a track record of delivering big performances; against Arizona State as a junior, he exploded for 207 yards on 10 catches.

One of Oregon’s freshman cornerbacks will have an interception

Take your pick here. Trikweze Bridges and Dontae Manning will both play a ton against Fresno State, and Avante Dickerson, Jaylin Davies and Darren Barkins could get quite a bit of playing times as well.

Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener was rock-solid last week against Connecticut and went 20-for-26 passing. But he could be under constant pressure when facing Oregon’s defensive front. The throwing windows will be tighter, and Oregon’s talented group of freshman corners will be hungry to make a big play.

Ronnie Rivers will eclipse 150 total yards

It could be a difficult day for Fresno State on the offensive side of things. The Oregon defense is deep, talented and enthralled to play in front of home fans. For those reasons, the Bulldogs could have a tough time consistently stringing together scoring drives.

Even if that is the case, star running back Ronnie Rivers should still have a big day. In Fresno State’s season-opener, Rivers racked up 114 yards on just 16 touches in one half of work.

The Bulldogs will get the ball in his hands however they can against the Ducks and let him rack up yards both on the ground and through the air.

Kayvon Thibodeaux will not have sack

This would be less indicative of Thibodeaux’s performance, and more a result of the Bulldogs doing everything in their power to keep him contained.

Expect Oregon’s star sophomore to face constant double-teams — and probably plenty of triple-teams. This could open the door for players like Brandon Dorlus and Mase Funa to wreak havoc all afternoon.

The Ducks’ defense will be plenty disruptive, even if KT’s state line doesn’t necessarily reflect it.

Seven McGee will deliver (at least) one highlight play

This one is a bit less of a tangible result. But anybody who watched McGee play in Oregon’s first scrimmage of preseason camp will know exactly what I’m talking about.

The freshman tailback made a couple of would-be tacklers miss during the scrimmage and looked electric whenever he touched the ball. It still remains to be seen how the Ducks plan to get the most out of McGee’s playmaking ability.

But whether it be on the ground, in the passing game or as a punt returner, count on McGee to make at least one Fresno State defender to look silly in open space.