Oregon will be kicking off the 2019 season against Auburn in Arlington, Texas and there are plenty of keys for Oregon to beat Auburn. A lot of the final result of the game will come down to the line of scrimmage. However, play on the outside will be a huge factor.
Keys for Oregon to Beat Auburn
Line of Scrimmage
In these huge matchups, the line of scrimmage always plays a big part. Generally going into matchups against these bigger programs, Oregon has struggled on the line of scrimmage. However, they are better built in this one the handle a physical battle up front.
With every starting offensive linemen back from a season ago, Oregon is touted by many as having one of the better offensive lines in college football. That will be huge trying to deal with a great Auburn defensive front, led by Derrick Brown, who has 20 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.
The battle in the trenches will go a long way in determining the winner of this game. Mario Cristobal has tried to build this team like an SEC team along the lines, and now they’ll get the chance to prove themselves.
Wide Receivers
If you watched Oregon play last season you know they were plagued by drops. While reports out of practices have implied fewer drops, the ability to catch the ball will be huge.
Of course, expected star freshman Mycah Pittman will miss this game. He injured his shoulder in a scrimmage earlier in fall practices.
Auburn is loaded defensively, which carries over to the secondary. The Tigers are bringing back nearly every starter in the secondary. In that part of the field, they are led by safeties Jeremiah Dinson and Daniel Thomas. Both are not only great on the back end, but they are very good in run support.
Penn State transfer Juwan Johnson has also been banged up but is expected to play. His ability on the outside will be huge for Oregon moving the ball.
Justin Herbert
Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert will be a top pick in the next NFL Draft. That has led to a lot of hype while he’s in college, however, he has been plagued by inconsistency at times.
Herbert is as physically skilled as any quarterback in college football this side of Trevor Lawrence. However, he’s been the starting quarterback for most of his career and has yet to carry the team to a marquee win. He did lead them to a win over Washington last season, but that was largely done on the running game.
This is Justin Herbert’s time to put Oregon on his back and lead them to a marquee win on national TV. The opportunity is there, he just has to go out and make it happen now.
Defending Bo Nix
Auburn will be starting Bo Nix at quarterback. Nix is an extremely talented five-star recruit, but he’s a true freshman. With him being a true freshman on this big of a stage, Nix will be a huge swinging point in the game.
New defensive coordinator Andy Avalos will be coaching his first game as a member of the Oregon coaching staff. That will also be a wild card because Auburn won’t have film on him with the players he’ll have at Oregon.
Perhaps the biggest of the keys for Oregon winning this game will be defending Nix and the Auburn offense. First and second down will be huge so they can get Nix in obvious passing situations.
The Kicking Game
A season ago Oregon struggled on special teams. With this game having a high chance of being a low-scoring defensive battle, special teams will be huge.
After struggling on special teams and having the kicking issues Oregon had a season ago, things don’t seem to be as settled as fans would like.
On the initial depth chart, Oregon listed three potential starters at placekicker. Those three players are Adam Stack, Camden Lewis, and Zach Emerson.
It could be a good thing and everyone has been so good that nobody has separated themselves, but it’s more than likely been spotty and nobody has emerged. Barring a surprising blowout, Oregon will probably have to make some field goals in this one, and who will be the guy to do that?