GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Oregon’s defensive discipline vs. Oregon State’s trick plays. It’s very apparent that when Oregon and Oregon State lineup on Friday, the difference in skill level and talent will be aplenty.
The Ducks are the superior team in size, strength and overall athleticism, traits Oregon has used to dominate the series with nine wins in its last 10 meetings with the Beavers.
But to win the 122nd meeting of the Civil War, the Ducks will have to be very disciplined on defense, knowing that Oregon State head coach Jonathon Smith will have some tricks awaiting.
“Those are things that are game-changers, gaining possessions,” Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal said of the trick plays. “We’ve got to make sure that we’re on the road playing a conference game… we can’t give up any possessions.”
One of the best ways Oregon State can even the odds is by using trick plays to keep the Ducks defense honest. If the Beavers try to go toe-to-toe with Oregon and match its physicality, the results won’t be in their favor. Instead, using a multitude of trick plays will not only surprise the Ducks with success, it will also force Oregon to play more honest and not cheat on plays it might recognize.
“Discipline is at a premium — it always has been. No. 1, that can never change, that always has to be one of the absolute principles and values of what you do,” Cristobal said.
Smith is widely regarded as one of the Pac-12’s most gambling coaches, in the sense that he has no problem pulling out a trick play whenever he feels. Special teams seem to be where his specialty lies in these gadgets plays, particularly after last week’s game against Washington when the Beavers used three of them.
The trick plays are something Oregon State practices regularly, making sure the players and everyone involved be as prepared as possible for when the right situation occurs. But not all trick plays make it to the game, only the ones with perceived success.
“We’ve had a couple fake punts in practice that just had no chance,” Smith said.
DRAFT SLANT
–QB Justin Herbert began his junior season with a lot of hype, despite failing to play a full year of college football. Yet, when early NFL mock drafts were posted, there was Herbert’s name atop many of them.
He lived up to the billing throughout the first half of the season, when he led the Ducks to a 5-1 record and the No. 11 ranking in the country.
In his three conference games up to that point, Herbert shone brightly against Stanford, Cal and Washington. His arm strength, ability to dissect defenses and put the ball in places where only receivers could catch it led to long drives and explosive plays.
In those games, Herbert threw for 773 yards and five touchdowns, completing 60 of 87 passes (69 percent). But since that point, Oregon has fallen off the wagon, going 2-3 and dropping from the national rankings and Pac-12 North race. While there a multitude of reasons as to why the Ducks have struggled as of late, Herbert is definitely one of them.
His accuracy is the most pressing issue, as he’s completed 106 of 191 passes (55.4 percent) in that span. Although defenses have keyed in on Herbert and his connection with wide receiver Dillon Mitchell, he’s consistently missed other receivers, failing to throw them open or taking too many chances into tight spots.
“He’s regressed slightly in my opinion in the last couple of games, forcing some throws, making some judgment decisions,” former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti told Oregonian reporter John Canzano. “He’ll get better the more football he plays.”
Issues plaguing the offensive line have been an issue for Herbert as he rarely looks comfortable in the pocket anymore. Instead, he plays as if he knows the rush is coming and if his receiver isn’t open early, he’ll often throw the ball away to prevent the turnover.
He also has looked uncomfortable outside of the pocket, rarely setting his feet or getting his shoulders squared to his target. Because of this, his accuracy has significantly dropped and likewise, the expectations for his future.
But still, the raw tools and natural instincts are undeniable. Herbert (6-6, 233) is proving difficult to bring down when inside the pocket because of his stature. He’s also more athletic than he lets on, showcasing the ability to get outside the pocket and run when needed — totaling 184 yards and two scores this year.
Does he return to the Ducks next season?
“He hasn’t played that much football at the college level … but I don’t know if another year in the Ducks’ system, unless they can provide more help at the receiver position,” Bellotti said. “He has to make that decision — I think as a coach you have to be totally supportive, and tell him, ‘Hey, we’re getting better in recruiting, look at where we’re going, what we’re doing.'”
ROSTER REPORT
–RB CJ Verdell, the team’s leading rusher, will play Friday after getting banged up last week.
–LT Steven Jones is in concussion protocol but coach Mario Cristobal appears positive he’ll play against Oregon State.
–LT Penei Sewell, Oregon’s starter to begin the year, needs another week to recover from his ankle injury, so he’s out for the Civil War.
–OLB Andrew Johnson will not play this week but will be available for the bowl game.
–LB Sampson Niu will play against the Beavers after being hurt.
–QB Justin Herbert has thrown a touchdown pass in 26 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the nation.
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