The No. 2 ranked Oregon football team has just two games and a potential Pac-12 title game matchup remaining before it can seal the bid to the inaugural College Football Playoff. The Ducks will begin this two-game stretch against Colorado (2-8, 0-7 Pac-12) this weekend, the only team in the Pac-12 that has yet to notch a conference win.
In their last meeting, the Ducks defeated the Buffaloes 57-16. And while the Buffaloes don’t pose any threats like Paul Richardson, who has since gone on to play for the Seattle Seahawks, they do boast a No. 17 ranking in passing yards per game, averaging just under 300 yards a game.
Having said that, the Ducks are heavily favored heading into the game.
Here are your match-ups and players to watch in Oregon’s matchup with Colorado at Autzen Stadium this Saturday:
Sefo Liufau vs the Oregon secondary
With 14 interceptions on the season, it’s hard to advocate for sophomore quarterback Sefo Liufau. While he has been at the helm of a capable passing attack, the touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio has not been too pretty. For this reason, the Oregon secondary will be looking to further expose Liufau in this game.
For the Ducks, this could potentially be a field day. Erick Dargan, with a team-high of five interceptions, is a part of a defense that has recorded 10 interceptions and there is no telling what they will come up with against the Buffaloes’ offense. Coming off of a bye week, star cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is expected to play after re-injuring his toe, which is bad news for the Buffaloes.
Colorado defensive end Derek McCartney enters this matchup with a team-high four sacks. While Oregon offensive lineman Andre Yruretagoyena is expected to make his return this weekend, the Ducks have had stretches where they struggled to protect Marcus Mariota. Against the FBS sack-leading Utah Utes, the Ducks gave up two sacks in the first six minutes of the game, something that simply can’t happen regardless of who they are facing.
On that note, the Oregon offensive line will have to hold its own once more against the Buffaloes. The absence of center Hroniss Grasu, who suffered an undisclosed leg injury against the Utes, will be something to keep an eye on.
Players to watch
Oregon:
Evan Baylis and Johnny Mundt
Pharaoh Brown was recently ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a gruesome leg injury against the Utes. Having said that, tight end reserves Evan Baylis and Johnny Mundt will now have to fill in. The two have played in just three combined games and haven’t recorded a single touchdown. Oregon may not need anything notable from either tight end this game, but moving forward they will have to step up when called upon. No one is questioning their ability, but it has been some time since they each played significant snaps on the field.
Colorado:
Nelson Spruce
One look at the stat sheet and it’s obvious who Colorado’s biggest offensive threat is. Nelson Spruce, who has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark as the Buffaloes leading receiver, leads the team with 11 touchdowns. Spruce will be going up against an experienced Oregon secondary, but it would be surprising if he doesn’t hold his own. In a matchup that isn’t expected to be close, Spruce may just have all of the Buffaloes highlights at the conclusion of the game.
Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim
