Game To Watch: #10 Iowa State at #25 Oregon: January 2, 2020
Iowa State and Oregon will play one another in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl this Saturday at 4:00 EST in Glendale, Arizona. The Cyclones went 8 – 3 this year and made it to their first Big 12 Championship game, but came up just short against Oklahoma. The Ducks went 4 – 2 in a Covid shortened season but won the Pac 12 Championship Game against USC. Oregon had several opt outs this season that led to young players playing key roles and they could use this game to kick start their 2021 campaign. Iowa State has reached new heights as a program and would like to close the historic season on a high note.
Recent History
This is the first time Iowa State and Oregon have played each other.
Top 25 Players
What To Watch For…
Can Iowa State avoid the mistakes that cost them against Oklahoma?
Iowa State did not play a clean game against Oklahoma by any stretch of the imagination. Obviously, Oklahoma’s defense deserves some credit, but watching the game it was obvious the Cyclones made several unforced errors that ended up being the difference in a six point game. Even on the last drive, Brock Purdy threw an interception on a play the Cyclones seemed out of sorts. To compound things Purdy threw the ball up for grabs leading to the game sealing interception. Iowa State had been playing really well coming into the game and needs to eliminate the silly mistakes that cost them the Big 12 Championship. Oregon proved in the Pac 12 Championship game that they are very capable of capitalizing on their opponent’s miscues and turning them into big plays. Several times the Ducks turned a USC mistake into a big play that swung the momentum in favor of the Ducks and led to the upset victory for Oregon. Iowa State has to return to form and avoid the miscues, because Oregon is very capable of taking advantage of those miscues.
Can the Ducks find their offense?
Oregon won the Pac 12 Championship Game, but did so in spite of a poor offensive performance overall. The Oregon offense is in a downward spiral and will need to get back on track in the Fiesta Bowl. Over the first four games of the season the Ducks had over 400 yards of offense in each game and scored 35 points or more in each of those games. Against Cal the offense only gained 368 yards and that number came all the way down to 243 yards against USC in their last game. The USC game was particularly poor, the Ducks only passed for 108 yards and ran for 135 yards averaging just 4.1 yards per play. Iowa State’s defense is not an easy one to get back on track against. The Cyclones have talented players at all three levels of their defense and have been limiting opponents to 21.8 points per game and 343 yards per game. Those numbers have improved later in the season, over their last four games they allowed just 13.3 points per game and 313 yards per game. Iowa State has a tough defense that makes offenses earn what they get. If Oregon doesn’t get back on track offensively it will be tough for the defense to carry the Ducks to another win this week.
Can Iowa State protect Brock Purdy?
Iowa State has done a good job keeping Brock Purdy’s jersey clean this year. He has only been sacked 13 times in 11 games this year but, those sacks have come in bunches. Purdy was sacked six times in the two losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State this year, not surprisingly those were two of Purdy’s three worst games this year. He was intercepted four times in those two games and the team was held to 21 points in both games. When any quarterback is under pressure, their performance suffers as a result. Purdy’s worst games have come when the offensive line has not been able to protect him and the pressure has thrown off his mechanics and the timing in the passing game. Oregon’s defense has a dangerous pass rusher in Kayvon Thibodeaux and a young linebacker who can blitz and create pressure in Noah Sewell. Both players are budding stars for the Ducks and will be key factors in creating pressure and disrupting Purdy and the passing game. Iowa State has to account for Thibodeaux and Sewell to keep their quarterback upright so the passing game can thrive.
Prediction
Oregon has a young team that pulled off a big victory against USC last time out. They have some positive momentum and will look to carry that forward on Saturday. The offense has been in a rut and Iowa State will make it tough to get on track. Oregon’s defense will make some big plays and keep them in the game, but Iowa State has the better offense and is more balanced as a team. The Cyclones will limit their mistakes and pull away for the win. Iowa State 27 Oregon 17.
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ISU vs OSU 2019-10-26 Image by Daniel Hartwig is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
