Editors Debate Oregon Boise State Game

Kirk, ARBITER: The Boise State secondary should not be underestimated. The only component missing from the Broncos defensive puzzle is Ellis Powers who has been replaced by junior college transfer Winston Venable. He is being held with high esteem by his peers. The only downfall is that he has never played against a program like Oregon’s. But he should be very well prepared after going against the shiftiness and confusing looks that the BSU offense shows every day.

The Broncos defense had 22 picks last season, fifth best in the NCAA. Of those 22 interceptions, 20 of them were made by existing Broncos.

BSU also brought down the quarterback 34 times last season. Of last season’s tally, 20 were by existing active players on the roster.

The final score will be 41-31 Boise State. The Ducks will keep it close through the first half of play and the Broncos will pull away in the second. Masoli will have a tough time moving the ball against a tough passing defense and will have to resort to running the ball. The ground game might be Oregon’s strong point with Blount to accent Masoli’s ability to move outside the pocket but, by the end of the day, the Broncos will prevail with a better all-around offense and defense due to experience on both sides of the ball.

Ben, ODE: I will disagree with you on Masoli not being affective through the air. Oregon’s offense is set up to exploit whatever the defense offers. They do not go to the line with just one set route each receiver is running. The wide outs have the freedom to take whatever the defense is showing and run the best possible route. Masoli may not have a ton of passing yards, but his completion percentage will be high because the Ducks will work medium to short routes to take chunks of yardage.

I predict the score will be 38-31 Oregon. Both of these teams are both known for putting up a ton of points and yards on opponents and although the defenses will play a key role, they will get beat occasionally. Boise State has a knack for playing in tight games under the spotlight, and I don’t think this will be any different. I expect a late touchdown by Oregon to be the difference.

Kirk, ARBITER: There is no doubt that the Broncos were caught off guard during the ousting at Autzen. The Ducks were able to bring a look into the game by burning the redshirt of Darron Thomas who dealt blows with his arm where Boise State had been battling the running game all day. LaGarrette Blount and Jeremiah Johnson combined for 193 yard and two touchdowns by the final whistle.

BSU’s defense brings much of their talent from last season that may be overlooked due to their youth. The Broncos finished their season ranked No. 20 on team defense, allowing only 308.14 yards per game. I predict that they will finish in the top twenty once again due to the reps the young defensive line has had and the stellar play of the defensive backs. The 4-2-5 defense that they have adopted brings the speed that they are known for and places strength at the safety positions that make going up the middle very difficult.

I don’t believe that Jeremiah Masoli will be able to deliver through the air. Oregon tight end Ed Dickson posed problems for the Broncos last year but will very much be a focus for BSU against the Ducks passing attack. This could allow for more focus on Masoli and Blount as they prepare to take BSU down by rushing their way to victory. Don’t count on them getting over 350 yards of offense throughout the game.

Ben, ODE: I agree that this game could go either way depending on who shows up. Oregon’s biggest question mark has to be the offensive line with the departure of three linemen to the NFL. The Ducks thrive on the run, and if the line cannot hold their assignments, the entire offense comes to a grinding halt.

But don’t underestimate what the Ducks did to the Broncos in the fourth quarter of last year’s game. They were able to exploit something they saw in BSU’s defense to almost come back to tie the game up. Scoring 19 points unanswered points in a quarter is a great feat, and granted they still lost, I don’t think Oregon will be as unprepared for the Broncos as last year.

Kirk, ARBITER: In this match-up I don’t believe there is a clear-cut favorite. Both the Ducks and the Broncos are in similar positions in terms of talent in their programs and each have key areas in which they thrive.

Boise State has major questions that can only be answered on the field come Thursday in regards to their offensive line. Center Thomas Byrd and tackle Matt Slater, both with starts through last season. Byrd started all 13 games for the Broncos and Slater with six starts and reps in every showing.

Moore should feel comfortable in the pocket pending they have themselves congealed come game day.

Wide receivers Austin Pettis, Titus Young and Tyler Shoemaker each bring a different look that could cater to Moore’s ability to place the ball virtually anywhere he would like. Pettis brings hands and reach similar to Plaxico Burress, Young with breakaway speed and Shoemaker with the size as a slot receiver who has shown promise during scrimmage and fall camp.

Defensively safety Jeron Johnson consistently puts receivers on edge with his ability to place well timed hits, despite belief by Ducks fans that he played dirty at Autzen last year, will still play with the same physical prowess that he ever has. If you look at the film from last season there is good argument on his behalf that he was only half a step away during that so called dirty hit.

Preseason All-American Kyle Wilson will stay attached to any receiver he lines up against and 4.3 speed to match. Brandyn Thompson maintained himself well last season. He had four interceptions and five tackles for loss last year.

The biggest question mark is at nickel back with junior college transfer Winston Venable. He has looked good all fall camp but has some things to prove against an explosive Oregon offense. He said that this will be his testing ground for the rest of the season. And what a test it will be.

Ben, ODE: Although the Broncos are virtually unbeatable at home, the Ducks bring a completely different type of game to Boise than most do. The team is at least three deep at running back (not including Jeremiah Masoli when he runs) and Ed Dickson is arguably one of the best tight ends/athletes in the Pac-10 Conference. Oregon beats teams by spreading them thin then attacking the holes created. And Oregon has the athletes to attack a very young defense.

Granted, the Broncos are familiar with Oregon because of the game in Autzen last year, so any surprises in what they will run will be very small. Defensively, Oregon’s defense will have to come up with some stops after what Kellen Moore did to them last year. The secondary surrendered big play after play, and that was a defense anchored by All-American Patrick Chung. In the end, I think Oregon has just a little bit more experience and athletes at the skills positions and will overcome the hostile environment of a Thursday night in Boise on national television to win a close game worthy of the hype.

Related Posts:

1. The Editor’s Debate: The Arbiter’s Kirk Bell and the Oregon Daily Emerald’s Ben Schorzman go head to head.
2. Boise State vs. Oregon – Game update 9/3/09
3. From the Blue to You: Oregon vs. Boise State
4. Arizona State stuns No. 6 Oregon with Walter’s record day
5. Boise State and Oregon, we’re not so different, are we?