Joe Gavazzi
CFB STEAMROLLER GAME OF THE WEEK
Oregon at Utah (-14) 2:00 ET
How the mighty have fallen! An Oregon record of 36-5 SU began to show cracks with a 9-4 SU log last year, as the defense declined to 37/485. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Long gone are the days of QB Mariota, running the offense flawlessly. Yes, the Ducks can still put up points (though only 27 and 20 the last 2 weeks against Stanford and USC). But, they simply can’t outscore the opposition because of a defense that in 6 of their last 7 games has allowed 540 or more yards and who, since conference season has begun, allow every opponent to score 35 or more points. Utah is the perfect opponent to continue that decline. Last year, this well-coached, fundamentally strong team destroyed Oregon (62-20). With RB Williams back in the fold, the Utah ground attack will continue to pound its way to a 6th consecutive game, in which they rush for more than 200 yards. In fact, Utah has outrushed their opponent in 9 of 10 games and you know what that means! Against an Oregon defense that typically allowed 282 RY last week to Stanford and 271 the week before to USC, it means the Utes control the line of scrimmage and the clock in systematically defeating an Oregon team who, after more than a decade of feasting at a post-season party, will be home for the holidays this year.
CFB STEAMROLLER GAME OF THE WEEK
Oregon at Utah (-14) 2:00 ET
How the mighty have fallen! An Oregon record of 36-5 SU began to show cracks with a 9-4 SU log last year, as the defense declined to 37/485. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Long gone are the days of QB Mariota, running the offense flawlessly. Yes, the Ducks can still put up points (though only 27 and 20 the last 2 weeks against Stanford and USC). But, they simply can’t outscore the opposition because of a defense that in 6 of their last 7 games has allowed 540 or more yards and who, since conference season has begun, allow every opponent to score 35 or more points. Utah is the perfect opponent to continue that decline. Last year, this well-coached, fundamentally strong team destroyed Oregon (62-20). With RB Williams back in the fold, the Utah ground attack will continue to pound its way to a 6th consecutive game, in which they rush for more than 200 yards. In fact, Utah has outrushed their opponent in 9 of 10 games and you know what that means! Against an Oregon defense that typically allowed 282 RY last week to Stanford and 271 the week before to USC, it means the Utes control the line of scrimmage and the clock in systematically defeating an Oregon team who, after more than a decade of feasting at a post-season party, will be home for the holidays this year.
