This one was a much more difficult evaluation. I think the Duck linebackers will have more success against the Badgers offense than the Badger linebackers will against Oregon's offense. Nonetheless, the Wisconsin linebackers have had a huge statistical impact and have made a lot of plays this season.Oregon: The Oregon Ducks lost two linebackers from the 2010 football team. Casey Matthews and Spen
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Breaking down the tight ends was not all that difficult. Oregon uses tehir tight ends more in the passing game than Wisconsin and the Duck tight ends are considerably more effective when getting the ball. But there is more to the tight ends than catching the ball and the Ducks have the advantage there as well... read on!Oregon: As the Ducks went into summer, the tight end position was considered
Read MoreOkay, time for the next installment on the path to the Rose Bowl. I was pretty sure where this would lead with defensive tackles and was not surprised at the information I learned in looking at the defensive tackles of both teams.I was surprised, however, at the conference statistics of the two teams. Read through the Duck Sports Authority article and at the end you will see some interesting numbe
Read MoreIt's been a few days since the last entry. Giving everyone time to absorb all that happens without building up too early to the game.So the big news of course, was Aaron Fentress' reports about LaMichael James declaring that he was forgoing his senior season to enter the NFL draft. I am not sure who the source is, but this is still likely a decision that has not been completely made. I think it is
Read MoreROSE BOWL THOUGHTS As we build up towards the Rose Bowl I will do at least three position breakdowns each week culminating with the overall offense and defense with score predictions.This has been a very interesting year for the football team for a multitude of reasons. Even though most were expecting 2011 to be a bit of a rebuilding year, the Ducks were not far off of a Championship Game return.
Read MoreThis was another surprise to me as I looked at the statistics and depth charts for both schools. Wisconsin has NO depth at this position. They have their two starters and a back-up. That's it.What's more, Duck wide receivers had more catches as a group than Wisconsin and just 19 less total yards..Oregon: Wide receiver is another position that the Ducks found themselves needing to reload at in the
Read MoreToday's look is at the other side of the ball; the defensive ends. Wisconsin took a blow early this season when their best defensive end went down with a broken foot suffered in practice.The Badgers have the better "ranking" defensively, but are they the better defense? Take a look at today's match-up article and decide for yourself.Oregon: At the beginning of the season, the Ducks were looking t
Read MoreOkay, leading up to the Rose Bowl, I will be doing match-up article for Duck Sports Authority. I was a little surprised by some of the statistics as I did the research.The most important difference I saw was that the Wisconsin QB has not been significantly better than last year's QB Scott Tolzien. Russell Wilson has a higher pass efficiency rating, mostly due to a higher number of touchdown passes
Read MoreNow that the regular season is complete and we await the Rose Bowl match with Wisconsin, the questions have begun to creep up about the investigation the NCAA is performing into Oregon's use of recruiting services.My regular readers do not need to be inundated with a history lesson on this subject. To do so is lazy journalism that implies stupidity on the readers parts and fills pages with meaning
Read MoreEarly Rose Bowl Thoughts:I heard a strange phenomenon today. Listening to a Wisconsin reporter discuss the game, he picked the Ducks in a close battle... and then our local experts decide to weigh in with their opinions. I would say informed opinions, but it does not seem to be, and it occurred to me why our local journalists make such statements, they are simply reactionary. Rather than begin to
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