Oregon More Than Just Flashy Uniforms

With an already potent offense, Oregon is virtually unbeatable if their defense continues to play as well as it has

By Jasmine Watkins

Say what you will about the Oregon Ducks, they are always dressed for success.

AP Photo

On a Saturday when three of the top five teams lost and one was idle, No. 2 Oregon (6-0) stayed true to form and trounced Washington, 52-21.

The majority of the talk is about the SEC and how they are the most unbeatable conference. While that may be true, Oregon is a team that feels they can beat any team in any conference, including their own.

The Ducks take risks, while running plays others are scared to and convert 2-point conversations effortlessly.

A lot of attention is pointed toward the offense and how the tempo of the game almost paralyzes opposing defenses. The tempo becomes so fast at times, other teams have been publicly accused of faking injuries in efforts to slow the game down and give their own defense a chance to breathe.

The offense is in good hands this year with running back De’Anthony Thomas, tight end Colt Lyerla and redshirt freshman quarterback Marcus Mariota leading the way.

However, it is Oregon’s defense that is standing out this season in a way it never has before.

This isn’t “Green Gang” defense that lead the Ducks to the Rose Bowl in 1994. What makes this group of guys so special is no one expected them to be quite this special. It is a testament to the work of the defensive unit as a whole rather than to the individual talent they have. The way they work so well together makes them one of the most elite defenses in the country.

They are trying to show that Oregon is about more than offense. On paper they don’t always match up with their opponents, but somehow this season have found ways to outwork them.

Defensive coordinator, Nick Aliotti is challenging the defense this year. The defensive line has become so difficult to move. They are stopping teams on their fourth down attempts and pressuring quarterbacks to make bad throws.

And that’s where the secondary comes in. The safeties on this team are anything but sitting Ducks. They’re active, controlling the field and daring quarterbacks to throw.

Cornerback Avery Patterson has appeared out of nowhere, breaking up and intercepting passes, and recording 15 tackles so far this season.

The Ducks shutout the Arizona Wildcats just two weeks ago. The Wildcats are one of the highest scoring teams in college football, but watching them that night proved otherwise. The Wildcats ended up in the red zone six times, and four of which resulted in turnovers.

This is scary. A team that doesn’t panic is a team that feels they’re supposed to win.

The quack attack is back and they are after a national championship.