SAN ANTONIO, Texas — In many ways, Oregon and Texas have very different strengths. The Ducks have an elite quarterback and a fast-paced spread offense, while Texas relies more on a slow, bruising running game. On defense, the Longhorns are strongest on the line, whereas the Ducks have one of the nation’s best secondary. The two teams are even more polarizing on special teams.
These differences will produce some exciting matchups when Oregon and Texas battle in Monday’s Alamo Bowl. Below are the biggest matchups to watch.
Oregon offensive line vs. Texas defensive line
This might be the most important matchup of the game. Teams need to be strong up front to beat Oregon, as Stanford and Arizona fans will tell you, and Texas’ best unit is probably their defensive line. Defensive ends Jackson Jeffcoat and Cedric Reed are among the best pass rushers in the nation, and they can stifle Oregon’s offense if they can make Marcus Mariota uncomfortable. But Oregon’s offensive line probably has to worry more about blocking those two and defensive tackles Malcolm Brown and Desmond Jackson in the running game. Oregon has always had a strong rushing attack and this year is no different. As Stanford showed (giving up 62 total rushing yards versus Oregon), stopping Oregon’s running game makes the Ducks’ offense extremely limited.
Mike Davis vs. Oregon’s secondary
Davis is Texas’ best receiver (715 receiving yards and eight touchdowns). Oregon has one of the nation’s best secondaries and one of the best cornerbacks in Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who is likely to be covering Davis for most of the game. Oregon’s other cornerback Terrance Mitchell is no slouch, either, so Davis will have to work to get open. If the Ducks can shut Davis down, quarterback Case McCoy won’t have many other options to throw to.
Texas’ kicking game vs. Oregon’s return game
A couple factors are in play here. For one, Texas placekicker Anthony Fera is one of the nation’s best and could keep the Longhorns in the game with several made field goals. He also might be kicking off to De’Anthony Thomas, one of the nation’s best returners if teams kick to him. Fera eliminates that threat if he boots kicks deep into the end zone for touchbacks. If not, the kickoff coverage for Texas will need to step up. The same goes for Texas’ punt coverage team, who will have to contain one of the nation’s best punt returners, Bralon Addison. Punter William Russ will need to kick the ball deep and with lots of hang time, and the coverage team will need to stay disciplined and contain Addison. Texas cannot afford to give up points on special teams since Oregon has one of the nation’s best offenses.
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