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The No.25 Oregon Ducks (4-2) take on the No.10 Iowa State Cyclones (8-3) in the 2021 Playstation Fiesta Bowl on Saturday afternoon in Arizona. The Ducks landed an in-game birth after defeating USC in the Pac-12 title game, in which Iowa State just lost to Oklahoma in the Big Ten title.
Oregon is listed as a 4 point underdog according to William Hill sports betting. As theDuckTerritory did before every Oregon game, we look at the key factors and what the game’s final score is. Here is how the DuckTerritory staff watch the game play out.
Erik Skopil:
I am optimistic. I say this because Iowa State is the most accomplished team this year. They have more impressive victories. They have been more consistent.
I think Oregon is improving. Remember, they played five games less than Iowa State, which means the rate of improvement for a gaming experience is different. But I felt the USC games were a turning point. This was certainly the case for Andy Avalos’ group. I have a feeling the Ducks will once again be good enough against the run (they were holding both Cal and USC under two yards per carry) to limit opposing scoring opportunities. The biggest demand is on the other side of the ball. Does Tyler Shough have it in him? That’s the million dollar question to Eugene right now. If he doesn’t, the Ducks will need a lot of breaks to be successful. If he does, I can see Oregon winning this game in different ways.
Regardless of all that, I think it will be a close game from start to finish. The Ducks have a chance to end their season on a high note as they did in 2019 with the Conference Championship and New Years Six Bowl wins to close the season. I think they are successful.
Oregon 27, Iowa 24
Matt Prehm:
For the first time this season, the Oregon Ducks will have their top four receivers healthy and available for this game. I think this will be important for an offense that has not been at its best over the past few weeks. I love that the Ducks can run the ball against Iowa State, even though CJ Verdell isn’t playing for Oregon. I think it will be a solid offensive performance for the Ducks. Maybe not their best, but much improved. On defense, I don’t think the ISU has anyone who can block Kayvon Thibodaux and Noah Sewell. I’m waiting for who plays both. For KT, this could be their best game in Oregon. ISU will get its business on the pitch, but Oregon’s pass cover will make the difference.
Give me Oregon 27, Iowa State 23.
Kevin Wade:
After looking like a non-runner-up for the playoffs, the Big 12 changed their postseason narrative with Texas handling Colorado and Oklahoma by placing it on Florida. Iowa State, the second-best team in the conference, has the offensive weapons to get the Ducks out of the building and the combination of running back Breece Hall and quarterback Brock Purdy is going to make this game tough for the Oregon defense. .
Oregon has shown consistent improvement on the defensive end of the ball with its best game so far blocking talented USC athletes, but when Iowa State is able to run, you have to be reckoned with. . That side of the ball will depend on Iowa State’s ability to stop Kayvon Thibodeaux’s passing rush and play from other defensive linemen like Brandon Dorlus and Jordon Scott.
Offensively for the Ducks, they opened a box of worms by introducing Anthony Brown to the equation. Not only does the state of Iowa need to brace for Tyler Shough, who has at times shown strong mastery of the Joe Moorhead RPO-based offense, but will now need to brace for any wrinkles Brown might add. Regardless of CJ Verdell’s status this weekend, Oregon should be able to schedule its receivers to open and break down the odd stack in Iowa State.
I think Iowa state will be able to find their points early and probably lead at half-time, but wait for the Oregon defense to find saves, giving Oregon a one-hour win. possession at the end of the fourth quarter.
Oregon 34, State of Iowa 31
Jared Mack:
Oregon is back in the Fiesta Bowl for the first time since 2013, and they face their best opponent of the season in the No.10 Iowa State (8-3). The Cyclones feature one of the best offenses in the country, with Brock Purdy and Breece Hall leading the attack. In typical Big 12 fashion, this team can score with the best of them. The Cyclones have racked up more than 400 rushing yards in eight of their 11 games this season, while Hall and his company have racked up more than 200 rushing yards in six of those competitions. The Oregon defense put on an excellent defense against USC in the Pac-12 championship game, keeping USC at 38 yards on 28 attempts. Oregon will need this version of their defensive front to have any real chance of winning this game. The Ducks secondary, fresh out of a three-steal game against USC’s Kedon Slovis, will have his fair share of opportunities against Purdy. Purdy threw 18 touchdowns this year and had nine interceptions, including three in the Big-12 Championship game.
On the offensive side, Oregon seems to be a bit lost with the ball moving across the field in the air. Joe Moorhead and Tyler Shough will have to figure out what to fix soon as Iowa state is likely to allow big passing games. The Ducks rush offense has been solid lately, as the emergence of Sean Dollars in the conference championship game could help the Ducks once again if CJ Verdell is unable to play. Heading into the game, I’m not as confident in the Oregon offense as I was a month ago. Shough’s confidence plummeted and his reluctance to pitch could turn out to be a killer for Oregon in that bowl game. I’ll take Iowa State to win by touchdown, but I expect the game to stay close until the final minutes.
State of Iowa 34, Oregon 27
Ethan Wyss:
Iowa State star Breece Hall will have a day against Oregon’s weak defense. I can only imagine it would be a similar performance that Duck fans can remind Jermar Jefferson against Oregon State where they allowed 226 yards and two touchdowns. Iowa State has a fierce 7 front that will force youngster Tyler Shough to make mistakes in his first career bowling game. I was not nice to Oregon in my prediction before the PAC-12 championship game, calling Oregon to lose by two scores. They’ve stepped up, especially the Ducks defense, and if they play at the level they played against USC, it could work in Oregon’s favor. I don’t think it will though, I think Oregon will lose the turnover battle and that will decide the game. Cyclones win and cover.
Iowa State 33, Oregon 24
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