Oregon
Keys to Victory: Michigan vs Oregon
The Big Ten football schedule stops for no one. After a much-needed rivalry win over the Michigan State Spartans, the 5-3 Michigan Wolverines host the No. 1 team in the country in the Oregon Ducks, who are legit national title contenders.
It has been tumultuous season on the field for Michigan, but pulling off an upset against one of the best teams in the country could certainly help Michigan fans forget some of those struggles.
Here are three keys to victory against the Ducks.
Avoid chunk plays in the passing game
Airing out the ball is a huge part of Oregon’s offense, with Heisman candidate Dillon Gabriel entering Week 10 ranked eighth in the country in total passing yards (2,371). In press conferences this week, Michigan’s secondary spoke highly of Oregon’s receiving core, with Tez Johnson, Traeshon Holden and Evan Stewart combining for 1,397 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 113 catches this year.
“We just want to make sure to limit the explosive plays and try to turn the ball over to give it back to our offense. That’s a key focus for us, especially for this game coming up,” cornerback Aamir Hall said. “They have very fast guys that like to get into space and just make plays using their speed and quickness. Them coming into the Big House will be exciting.”
Big plays are the easiest way for teams to gain momentum and crush the spirits of an underdog. It’s a tall task — especially if Will Johnson isn’t healthy — but Michigan has to do its best to limit Oregon’s passing attack.
Feed Colston Loveland again and again
On the other side of the ball, it’s going to be crucial for Michigan to keep utilizing future NFL tight end Colston Loveland. After the offense had been pathetic most of the season, offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell called his best game of the year against MSU. Loveland played a big role in that, racking up 67 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Loveland is likely one of the names towards the top of Oregon’s scouting report, so Michigan will have to be creative when it comes to getting him the ball. The Wolverines need to use the run game to set him up in the passing game. Loveland being able to pick up a few chunk plays increases Michigan’s upset chances immensely.
Michigan cannot turn the ball over
As it has for the Wolverines all season long, the turnover margin is going to play a big factor. Oregon is far ahead of them in that category this season (+3 vs -6). The easiest way to turn a potential upset into a blowout is by turning the ball over, just ask Navy after turning the ball over six times in a 51-14 loss to Notre Dame last week.
Michigan did a great job taking care of the ball a week ago. Quarterback Davis Warren wasn’t a star by any means, but he did just enough to help lead Michigan to victory. I am not so sure that victory happens if he throws a pick or two.
As Jared Stormer and Andrew Bailey pointed out on Out of the Blue this week, the Wolverines have to win the turnover battle to win this game, and they probably have to win it by two takeaways or more. A few second-half picks by Gabriel can certainly swing things.
What else does Michigan have to do to pull off this upset? Let us know in the comments.
Oregon
Who was the 2024 Transfer of the Year in Oregon high school football?
Dozens of Oregon high school football players transferred from one school to another during the 2023-24 offseason. SBLive Oregon combed through those transfers and selected 16 of the best to highlight. Vote for your top choice in the poll at the bottom of the page.
Earlier: Is transfer culture ruining high school football? Oregon coaches weigh in
Aguilar dominated at the 4A level for Milwaukie last season, and that performance translated to the 6A Mt. Hood Conference, where Aguilar was voted to the all-conference second team.
Ayers moved north from Roseburg and led the resurgent Wolverines with 1,074 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 173 carries.
The transfer from Springfield had a major impact on the Lancers’ Midwestern League title march, winning league defensive player of the year honors and earning second-team all-league honors as a backup tailback.
Buzzard was a two-time wrestling state champion and top linebacker for Harrisburg. He made an instant impact with the Spartans, leading them with 85 tackles and making the all-Oregon West Conference first team.
Brasfield moved across town from Corvallis and teamed with freshman quarterback Zeke Thomas as one of the most potent passing combos in the state, catching 90 passes for 1,335 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The ex-Crescent Valley standout helped lead the Titans to the 6A playoffs, earning first-team all-South Central Football Conference honors.
Craigwell came from Sunset and was a first-team all-Three Rivers League inside linebacker (34 tackles, three for loss) for the league champions.
The University of Oregon commit was as good as advertised coming to the Willamette Valley from the Arizona desert, leading the team in tackles for loss.
Eddleman joined older brother Treyson in coming from Sherwood and shined during his first season with the Pacers, recording a team-best 62 tackles and two sacks and making the all-Three Rivers League first team.
Hoffert arrived from Central Catholic and was one of the top players on the Generals defense, making the all-PIL first team.
Ingle returned to the Lions after spending his junior season at Wilsonville and fit right back in on defense, making the all-Three Rivers League first team with 40 tackles (five for loss) and a team-high three sacks. He rushed for six touchdowns.
Kurland arrived from Sunset and quickly took over the starting job, throwing for 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns with one interception and completing 67.6% of his passes (71 of 105). He led the Lakers to the No. 1 seed in the 6A Open playoffs and was voted to the all-Three Rivers League second team.
Martin joined the program after starring at Gaston last year and has shined in all three phases (1,417 all-purpose yards, 17 touchdowns, 24 tackles, four interceptions).
Martirano was a 6A all-state selection at West Salem, and after winning Mid-Willamette Conference offensive player of the year honors (2,150 passing yards, 18 touchdowns; 417 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns), he’ll likely make the 5A all-state team this fall.
The late arrival from Riverside County in California quickly melded with his teammates, showing why he’s a rising prospect and finishing with 1,503 passing yards and 15 touchdowns.
Smith was already well-known as a standout receiver at Central Catholic, but with the Timberwolves, he became a two-way all-Three Rivers League first-team selection, catching 33 passes for 609 yards and seven touchdowns and making 22 tackles at safety.
To get live updates on your phone — as well as follow your favorite teams and top games — you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App
Oregon
High wind watch issued for Oregon for Friday
On Thursday at 3:35 a.m. a high wind watch was issued by the National Weather Service valid for Friday between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. for Clatsop County Coast, Tillamook County Coast and Central Coast of Oregon.
The weather service describes, “South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible for beaches and headlands.”
“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles,” explains the weather service.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Oregon
Northwest Oregon Conference boys soccer 2024: All-league teams, coach and player of the year
Northwest Oregon Conference boys soccer all-league selections and individual awards for the 2024 season, as determined by a vote of the league’s coaches
Vance Sheffield, La Salle Prep
Jared Rojas, Canby
Al Lara, Hood River Valley
F Vance Sheffield, La Salle Prep, senior
F Alex Aguiar, Wilsonville, senior
F Andro Mendez, Hood River Valley, senior
M Quentin Torbert, La Salle Prep, senior
M Sergio Day, Wilsonville, senior
M Julian Lara, Hood River Valley, senior
M Ruben Velazquez, Wilsonville, senior
M Javier Martinez, Centennial, senior
D Connor Garvey, La Salle Prep, senior
D Andrew McDougal, Wilsonville, senior
D Oscar Moline, Hood River Valley, senior
D Fabian Gonzales, Centennial, senior
GK Jared Rojas, Canby, senior
GK Adam Clem, La Salle Prep, senior
F Aran Garcia, Hood River Valley, senior
F Francisco Sanchez, Canby, junior
F Alex Fulgencio, Centennial, sophomore
M River Nichols, La Salle Prep, junior
M Cooper Eldon, La Salle Prep, junior
M Matt Tamimi, Canby, senior
M Christopher Marcial-Cruz, Parkrose, senior
M Daniel Aseive, Milwaukie, senior
D Declan O’Brien, La Salle Prep, junior
D Devyn Kinzie, Canby, junior
D Braxton Nava, Canby, freshman
D Eric Gudino, Milwaukie, freshman
GK Emmanuel Galindo, Hood River Valley, junior
F Hugo Cortes Cruz, La Salle Prep, sophomore
F Geovanni Macias, Hood River Valley, junior
F Jordan Lopez, Canby, junior
F Kevin Jimenez, Hillsboro, senior
F Noah Martin, Putnam, senior
F Jonathan Alcantar, Milwaukie, senior
M Solomon Parson, Hood River Valley, junior
M Derek Garcia, Wilsonville, senior
M Anthony Ledesma, Canby, junior
M Natnaiel Kindie, Parkrose, junior
M Cohen Biddle, Hillsboro, sophomore
M Caleb Hillard, Putnam, senior
M Abraham Andrade Ayala, Milwaukie, senior
M Jeffrey Boknecht, La Salle Prep, senior
D Rylan De Souza, La Salle Prep, senior
D John Olson, Hood River Valley, senior
D Javier Juarez-Pedraza, Wilsonville, senior
D Sebastion Zayago-Enciso, Wilsonville, senior
D Matt Young, Canby, senior
D Edgar Garcia, Centennial, senior
D Maximino Flores Ramirez, Parkrose, senior
D Eddie Larson, Hillsboro, junior
D Jimmy Thielman, Putnam, senior
D Erowyn Stovall, Milwaukie, senior
D Uriel Chacon-Alvarado, Parkrose, senior
GK Eamon Anslinger, Hood River Valley, senior
To get live updates on your phone — as well as follow your favorite teams and top games — you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App
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