ScoopDuck Predictions: Offensive Player of the Game

As we inch closer and closer to kickoff, it’s time to look at the offensive side of the ball for Oregon. The Ducks have a tall order on Saturday facing one of the elite defenses in the country.

Which means Kenny Dillingham and his crew will need to be creative finding mismatches in that defense. Easier said than done.

But who will step up on Saturday for the Ducks? Here are our predictions.

Joel Gunderson: Terrence Ferguson + Moliki Matavao

Maybe I’m cheating, but there is one reason they will win this: Oregon’s quarterback (Nix) will not have a clean pocket nor much time from snap to when Jalen Carter is ready to snap him like a twig. 

Outlets like Matavao and Ferguson will be crucial on every snap. Whether they’re extra blockers or leaking out as pass catchers, it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation for Oregon’s offense to keep the Georgia defense from going wild. Ferguson and Matavao as a duo are top five in the country from a talent perspective, and they might be Oregon’s most effective weapon all season.

If the Ducks want to pull off the upset, these two must be heavily involved from start to finish.

Jarrid Denney: Chase Cota

Georgia’s defense is loaded with talent at, essentially, every position. But if there’s one area that could be a potential weakness, it’s in the secondary. 

Bulldog’s true sophomore Kamari Lassiter is making his first career start at corner opposite All-American Kelee Ringo. Oregon could look to target him and stay away from Ringo, and Ducks’ senior Chase Cota is a versatile, savvy receiver who could help exploit the matchup all afternoon. 

Corpatty: Bo Nix

I’ve already expressed my opinion that Oregon will not be able to run the ball effectively.  I think that will cause Dillingham to abandon the run and take to the air, giving Nix ample downfield opportunities against Georgia’s blitzing defense.  I expect Dillingham to try and follow the Bama blueprint from the first matchup last season and air the ball out.   I think Nix will acquit himself well and will firmly entrench himself as Oregon’s QB1. 

Travis Rooke-Ley: Dont’e Thornton

I expect Georgia to stack the LOS, and make us beat them through the air by winning 1-on-1 matchups outside. In other words, exactly what Auburn did in 2019. The difference this year is players like Thornton out wide, who I think will win enough to make some big plays down the field. Thinking 6 catches for close to 100 yards and a TD is very realistic. 

Jhop: Mar’Keise ‘Bucky’ Irving

I know Georgia’s front seven will be tough. Stingy and physical. Running yards are going to come at a premium. And Oregon will have to throw the ball effectively to back them up.

But you can’t abandon the run all together. Oregon will have to try and get creative and come up with some tough yards on the ground. And I’ve heard enough to believe that Bucky Irving is probably going to be the guy that has the best chance to get that done.

His numbers won’t ‘wow’ anyone, but his tough running is going to come up clutch on Saturday.