Every week during football season, our sports staff will discuss different topics around an upcoming game. Today, sports reporters Joseph Hoyt, Ryan Kostecka and Hayden Kim discuss Saturday’s matchup between Oregon and Colorado.
1) What, if anything, can Colorado do to keep this game close?
Joseph Hoyt — After last weekend’s poor showing from quarterback Connor Wood, the Buffaloes need to get freshman running back Michael Adkins II the ball early, and often. Adkins may not be the fastest player, but he has the vision and toughness to be a workhorse and run between the tackles. A bounce-back game from Christian Powell wouldn’t hurt, either.
Ryan Kostecka — Honestly, there isn’t much Colorado can do to keep the game close. It’s not going to be anything the Buffaloes do but rather what the Ducks don’t do. If Oregon comes in complacent and doesn’t play at their expected level AND if Richardson and Adkins/Powell can get going for Colorado, there’s a chance. Don’t count on that happening, though.
Hayden Kim — The Colorado Buffaloes have one advantage over the Ducks and it lies in Paul Richardson. Richardson has racked up 487 yards on 26 receptions alongside five touchdowns and currently sits ninth all-time on the Colorado touchdown reception list. If the Buffaloes can manage to keep the game close, it will be in the air through Richardson.
2) Will Colorado’s Paul Richardson have another All-American-esque performance against the Ducks?
Joseph Hoyt — Richardson has looked good early in the season, but unfortunately for him, past achievements don’t guarantee future success, especially against the incredibly talented Oregon secondary. Whether it’s Ifo Ekpre-Olumu or Terrance Mitchell, Richardson will have a tough time getting open against whoever lines up opposite of him.
Ryan Kostecka — Not a chance in the world, and it’s not what for the reason you might expect. Richardson will not have a good game because Oregon’s defensive line and linebackers are going to harass Connor Wood into plenty of mistakes and he won’t be able to get the ball to Richardson. By the off chance Wood gets the rid off the ball, Richardson still has no chance because of Oregon’s All-American-caliber corner Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.
Hayden Kim — Richardson currently leads the Buffaloes in yards and touchdowns as one of the biggest deep threats in the country. With 300 more yards than the next man up on the receiving list, the Buffaloes will look to feed Richardson throughout the game. Considering the Oregon secondary hasn’t been challenged thus far this season, don’t be surprised if Richardson has a field day in the end zone.
3) Beside Marcus Mariota, who is Oregon’s most valuable player?
Joseph Hoyt — Although often overlooked, a successful football team begins, and ends in the trenches. Center Hroniss Grasu is the leader of an offensive line that currently blocks for the best rushing team in the country. Without Grasu, and the rest of the offensive line, those holes De’Anthony Thomas and Byron Marshall burst through would be a lot less gaping.
Ryan Kostecka — Derrick Malone. The first-year starter at linebacker has been a revelation for Nick Aliotti’s defense. After wondering all off-season who’s going to replace Michael Clay and Kiko Alonso, Malone has stepped up as the leader of the linebackers, leading Oregon in tackles with 35 tackles on the year, good enough for 8.5 per game. Malone’s play answered Oregon’s biggest question entering the season and is reason enough to give him the nod as MVP.
Hayden Kim — Oregon may feature two Heisman candidates in Marcus Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas, but Derrick Malone has been the MVP on the defensive end. Heading into the season, the question at the linebacker position was the biggest and Malone has answered with 38 total tackles this season. Malone has led an Oregon defense that has only allowed 43 points in their first four games and has helped create a new core of defensive players.
4) What will be the final score?
Joseph Hoyt — New head coach Mike MacIntyre has Colorado on an upwards trajectory, but they aren’t ready to compete with the No. 2 team in the country, yet. Oregon continues their theme of impressive rushing performances as they consistently race up and down Folsom Field, even without De’Anthony Thomas. Final score: Oregon 62, Colorado 17.
Ryan Kostecka — Oregon will continue to make history and score at least 50 points for the fifth straight game, improving on their current four-game streak. Colorado has improved but not nearly enough to fly with the Ducks. Oregon wins 59-13.
Hayden Kim — Vegas says the Ducks win by 38 ½ points and I say they are dead on. If the Oregon defense manages to keep their recent pace, the Ducks will cruise to their fifth win of the year. The only route Colorado has will be led by Paul Richardson and he will have to face off against a veteran Oregon secondary. Things aren’t looking too good for Colorado. Oregon 52, Colorado 17.
5) Who leaves Saturday undefeated: No. 5 Stanford or No. 15Washington?
Joseph Hoyt — Washington is a really, really good football team. But the Cardinal are just simply better. Hogan may not be considered one of the premier quarterbacks in the Pac-12, but he doesn’t need to be. Stanford is a team that will line up in jumbo formations (sometimes with eight or nine players on, or near, the offensive line) and run it down their oppositions’ throats, because they can. Washington will keep it close, but the Cardinal will eventually outlast the Huskies.
Ryan Kostecka — This question can have so many different answers for so many different reasons. The good news for Washington is that they are greatly improved and deserve its top-15 ranking in the country. The bad news, Stanford is better. Way better. Led by Kevin Hogan and a balanced offensive attack, the Cardinal will avenge last season’s lost and beat the Huskies 31-23. Their front seven will, in the end, handle the Washington athletes and conserve the victory.
Hayden Kim — This will arguably be one of the biggest Pac-12 games of the year. 15th-ranked Washington is heading to Palo Alto to try and knock off fifth-ranked Stanford and it will come down to the quarterback duel between Kevin Hogan and Keith Price. The two quarterbacks have combined for five interceptions heading into their second conference game and their team’s fate will lie in their mistakes, or lack thereof. Turnovers will be the difference in this game and if I had to pick, I’d go with Hogan playing in front of his home crowd.