Back when the Broncos were winning Super Bowls, other than John Elway, of course, they were producing thousand yard and pro-bowl backs with 4th and 5th round rejects running behind the smallest line in the NFL using Zone Blocking. Zone blocking is more about quickness than brute power...and that's what Oregon does, but their DL is REAL small, and I think we'd own them for sure.
Right! Underestimating this athletic group is a mistake too. Franklin had a purpose with the trimmed-down o-line ala Denver, Troy etc., and our power NH is built to suit our style. They run some goofy stuff such as play action on definite pass downs but I think it's some sort of substitute for our motion. James hits the hole almost too quickly at times but eventually springs due to the wear factor. They have a tendency to start slow but they make it up late, not so much by adjusting IMO as with again, the wear factor. Reminds me more of RichRods WVa offense in high gear before he left.
There are creative ways to say that the Duck's are better on D than Auburn but I don't think five turnovers against Portland St. should account for much. They are opportunistic (that's what defense is about) fast on the edges and hard hitting. They should be, being undersized. Old Kiffen is a terrific coordinator but I think if we inserted our D into that game, USC wins it even with our shakey corner play. And Lane ran way too many slow developing runs on 1st down which really put undue pressure on his offense and played into Oregon's hands. They wore down after taking a third quarter lead and stayed with the same strategy.
I am almost to the point where I think allowing 20 points with the NH as your offense is more like allowing 10. I realize the evidence is in the figures but I think we have to look at this with a different perspective. We damage opposing QB's and stop very good runners. Yes we have lapses and are often times overmatched especially in height defending along the sidelines. But I do not think tackling Oregon is any more difficult than tackling LSU, and as with us, it's about the pace. And I think Auburn has many speeds which might be just as disruptive as Oregon's overdrive offense and maybe harder to figure out. But of course it's all just hypothetical at this juncture. But it is being discussed, even by Ducks and media types.
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