I wanted to scout Oregon before Saturday's game, so I did it again. Hardcores can watch this on your lunch break to prepare for @jim comparoni 's Pre-Snap Read. My initial thoughts are below. I'll try to put together a more complete preview tonight.
In no particular order:
In no particular order:
- Based on what I saw, Oregon will be MUCH more reliant on the run this year than last. That should work out well for them most weeks because Royce Freeman is an absolute beast, Vernon Adams can scoot and reads it pretty well, and their OLine is pretty organized. EWU's defense was garbage, but Oregon rushed for 485. FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE. MSU has had a dominant run defense for the last four years. Can this absolutely insane DLine dominate a good Oregon OL? Can MSU's linebackers finish tackles on...
- Royce Freeman - holy shit. 5'11", 230-pound sophomore with insane size, strength, speed, and agility. Honestly like a souped-up Le'Veon, and LBell26 is one of the best backs in the league. EWU was small and weak and bounced off of him. Can Harris, Bullough, and Reschke get him on the ground?
- Vernon Adams was definitely concussed. The hit was bad, and the player was rightly ejected--rumors of EWU bitterness, but that was terrible sportsmanship. He was good, but he ain't Mariota. Adams was late with reads and throws for those bombs that the Hawaiian Heisman never missed. Looks to run too soon. He IS very slippery with good speed and the ability to drop some dimes on the run--think a smaller, more accurate Braxton Miller minus some speed and arm strength. MSU has to finish tackles and sacks on this dude, but just know going into the game that he is going to avoid a sack and complete a long pass at some point in the game. He's not MM, but he's pretty good. I have no idea what impact the concussion will have on a guy who was already a touch slow with the trigger, but
- Oregon's Defense was very meh. 2 gift INTs, one on a missed offsides call, and one just bad forced throw helped them get off the field. Oregon only forced four punts the rest of the game, and looked terrible in the secondary at times. EWU's receiver, Cupp, and two QBs, West and Hennessy, were amazing. MSU should be able to throw it unless Cook has another inaccurate game.
- I like MSU's chances, but no more than the point spread. I would put odds of victory at 70%.
