Oregon Ducks vs Nebraska Gameday Look-In: Preview, Game Analysis, and More

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Oregon Ducks(2-0) heads to Nebraska(2-0) in a Pac-12/Big Ten showdown that should answer some questions for both teams.

Oregon Keys To The Game

Oregon Gameday Preview

The Oregon Ducks first road trip of the season lands them in Big Ten Territory as they take on Nebraska and former Oregon State Head Coach Mike Riley. Riley could have gone another ten years without seeing the blur that was the Oregon Ducks Offense again, but the 2016 Oregon Ducks are very similar to the Cornhuskers, learning about themselves as they go through the early part of the season.

Both teams exchanged pleasantries this week speaking highly of the others program, and despite playing in front of close to 90,000 and seeing a lot of points scored on both side Saturday, the intangibles, for me, go with Oregon. The Ducks have not lost a week 3 matchup in 20 years. The last time they played Nebraska, in 1985, it was a joke. A 63-0 Nebraska win where they got off to a 21 point start. The schemes on both sides of the ball were completely different

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The fans could have a say in the outcome on Saturday. Oregon and Nebraska come in just one point apart on average. Both teams are averaging just under 50 points per game, but the Defense could prove to be the difference. While Oregon is still a work in progress, and progressing nicely with sacks, hurries, and a few turnovers – it is Nebraska that leads the country in creaating Turnovers. Keep in mind that those turnovers were also against the likes of Fresno State and not higher caliber competition.

The same could be said for Oregon who faced UC Davis and Virginia, but the Cavaliers are among the lowest ranked Power 5 Opponents entering the 2016 season.

Players To Watch:

Oregon

This one is pretty simple. Running Back Royce Freeman can make a big Heisman Statement this afternoon in Lincoln with a big game and Nebraska will be ready for the Ducks Lead Running Back. Oregon’s Rushing Attack may also be their secret weapon with guys behind Freeman who can not only break tackles, but speed their way to the endzone.

Nebraska

Armstrong was once an Oregon Recruit and now finds himself facing the Oregon Ducks. He will put up a solid performance, but in his first two games his completion percentage got worse as the game went on. He will have to have a close to perfect day in the pocket for Nebraska to keep the pace and the momentum on Saturday.

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It will be a good early season litmus test for both teams. A win keeps the Oregon Ducks on pace for everything they want. A loss on Saturday may only take them out of the National Championship race, but it is a long season and a lot can happen between now and December. Keeping a zero in the loss column should still be the priority and a win over a Big Ten team could pay dividends down the line.

Autzen Zoo will have Live Coverage of the game starting at Noon. You can also follow our Gameday Coverage on Twitter and on the KPNW Sports page on Facebook. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium between the Oregon Ducks and Nebraska Cornhuskers is set for 12:30pm Pacific Time on ABC.

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