Las Vegas Bowl Info, Analysis, and Update
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| Art by Leif Lindquist |
Game Analysis
Starting with the run game, Oregon has an easy advantage. Oregon will have even more of an advantage if Alexander Mattison doesn’t play. Mattison is Boise State’s best running back, and is questionable for the Las Vegas Bowl. With this being Royce Freeman’s last game of his college career, he will definitely play hard and will look to obliterate Boise State’s defense. Freeman is one of the biggest and strongest backs you will ever see, and ranks in the top ten in the whole country for rushing yards this season. Oregon also has more depth than Boise State in the running back position. For Boise State, after Alexander Mattison, their other backs can’t compete with Oregon’s backs. Sitting behind Royce Freeman for Oregon is speedster Tony Brooks-James, who has 10 touchdowns on the season. Tony Brooks-James has proven that he would be able to start at running back, but Royce Freeman is just better. Royce Freeman has 16 touchdowns on the season, and has 400 more rushing yards than Alexander Mattison who only has 12 touchdowns.
One player that could slow Oregon’s run game down is star linebacker Leighton Vander Esch of Boise State. He won the Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year award, and recorded 129 tackles this season. Vander Esch is 6’4, weighs 240 lbs, averages 6.2 solo tackles a game (7th best in the country), and has two interceptions. He is an athletic player, and will look to stop Royce Freeman.
Oregon’s passing game is another thing that Boise State will have to lookout for, let alone Oregon’s run game. During the first five weeks of the season, Oregon looked like they were flying down the field, but then Oregon’s QB Justin Herbert broke his left collarbone. When he came back for week 12, it looked as if Herbert was never gone. Herbert has pin point accuracy and when he does run, he is pretty fast. Brett Rypien is also a really good quarterback. Brett Rypien threw for 2,515 yards this season with a completion rate of 63.5% and averages 8.11 yards per reception. He also has quick decision making and great accuracy.
If Oregon wants to win this game, they better not forget to play defense like they have in the past.
If Boise State wants to win this game, they better remember to play everything, and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch better pull through.
What Will Happen
Boise State will come out strong and get the first score, whether it’s a touchdown or a field goal. They will try to do what Arizona State did to Oregon during week 4, which was jump out to an early lead, take all the momentum and don’t let them win. But Oregon won’t let that happen. The game will be neck and neck up to mid second quarter, then Oregon will jump up to a two score lead right before halftime. In the second half, Oregon’s offensive weapons will prove too much for Boise State. The final score will be Oregon Ducks 37, Boise State Broncos 23.
Update 8:54 AM PT
Royce Freeman is expected to skip the bowl game to prepare for the 2018 NFL Draft.
Leif Lindquist
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