Brigham Young Offense vs. Oregon Defense
BYU's offensive attack ranks fifth nationally and is led by senior quarterback John Beck, who has thrown for 3,510 yards and 30 touchdowns this season. He is a poised and accurate passer who has done a good job protecting the ball with only six interceptions on 371 attempts. Beck spreads the ball around to a good group of receivers. True freshman McKay Jacobson leads the receivers with 26 grabs. He is the group's biggest down-field threat averaging 20 yards per reception. The rest of the group consists of reliable receivers and good route runners. Matt Allen, Zac Collie, Michael Reed, and Nathan Meikle all have at least 20 receptions and have combined for eight touchdowns. The strength of this offense's passing game is the tight ends. The main target is senior Jonny Harline, who has 49 receptions for a team best 754 yards. He averages 15.4 yards per catch and has a team-high 11 touchdowns. Daniel Coats is also a very good receiving tight end with 22 grabs and two touchdowns.
The Ducks will bring pressure with linebackers and safeties but may be forced to shy away from that with the Cougars ability to spread the field. A bulk of the passing rushing responsibility will fall on the shoulders of defensive end Darius Sanders. Sanders leads the Ducks with nine sacks, but all of BYU's offensive targets will allow Beck to quickly get rid of the ball and should make it tough for Oregon to get to him with their rush.
The strength of the BYU offense is the passing game, but its ability to stay balanced makes the passing game more effective. To that point the Cougars will attempt to run the ball behind a massive offensive line. The featured back is Curtis Brown as he leads the team in rushing with 890 yards. He is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has five rushing touchdowns. Brown provides more then rushing yards as he is also the teams leading receiver in receptions with 55. Brown provides the Cougars offense with a productive and versatile threat. The Cougars also possess a good No. 2 back in Fui Vakapuna. Sophomore Vakapuna, who returned this year from a mission, has a physical style and good speed. He has rushed for 442 yards and eight touchdowns. Facing an offensive line that averages 316 pounds could be a tough task for an Oregon defense that has been riddled by injuries. The chief concern is the linebacker spot, where the Ducks lost starter Brent Haberly early in the year and now might be without leading tackler Blair Phillips. The loss of Phillips will be a blow to a Duck defense that ranks 74th against the run.
Oregon Offense vs. Brigham Young Defense
The 2006 season started off with promise for Oregon. Quarterback Dennis Dixon looked sharp early on and seemed to be emerging as one of the premier dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. Through the first four games he ranked 8th in the nation in total offense, was averaging 286.5 yards of offense per game, and had the Ducks off to a 4-0 start. But things cooled off for Dixon from that point on. He wound up throwing more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes through the first 11 games, which led to Brady Leaf getting the starting nod in the regular season finale versus rival-Oregon State. Despite the losing effort versus the Beavers, it looks as if Leaf will get another start against BYU in the Bowl game.
With a talented backfield Oregon should look to run the ball and try and control the game. The Ducks have a spread attack of their own, but with turnover problems they should try and avoid airing it out. When healthy, Jonathan Stewart is one of the best backs in the land. He is big and explosive and leads the team in rushing. He is 40 yards shy of 1,000 yards despite getting knocked out of two games early. He is also a viable receiver out of the backfield. His back-up Jeremiah Johnson is a productive player in his own right. He has rushed for 603 yards and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Oregon has great size on the right side of the line and it should look to attack behind the big bodies of Palauni Ma Sun and Geoff Schwartz. BYU brings a solid run defense into this game but if Oregon commits to the ground game it should be able to create seams and wear BYU down.
When the Ducks do throw they have a favorable match-up with big receiver Jaison Williams on the perimeter versus 5-foot-9 cornerback Justin Robinson, who will struggle to hold his own physically. In fact the Oregon receivers in general have a size advantage over the Cougars secondary. Another key component in the passing game for Oregon should be TE Dante Rosario, who is the team's second leading receiver. Working the ball to Rosario in the middle of the field should help keep single coverage on the receivers outside, while also allowing Leaf and/or Dixon to move the ball in a controlled manner via the air.
Special Teams
BYU junior PK Jared McLaughlin is 13-of-17 on field goal attempts this year, including a long of 53 yards. Derek McLaughlin, who is of no relation to Jared, handles the punting. He is averaging 40.6 yards per attempt. Brown handles the majority of kickoff returns for BYU and he is averaging 22.2 yards per attempt. True freshman Jacobson will also return kicks. Finally, Meikle usually handles punt returns but he is questionable for this game. If he can't go Jacobson will most likely handle that duty.
Oregon senior Paul Martinez entered 2006 as one of the Pac-10's better kickers. However, he has failed to live up to the billing having connected on just 15 of 22 field goal attempts. Martinez also had a 36-yard attempt blocked versus Fresno State. He was pulled late in the Oregon State game in favor of Matt Evensen, who is 1-of-3 on the year and has had two kicks blocked. Senior Matt Dragich handled all the punting duties early, but Aaron Knowles is punting now. Knowles is averaging 40.8 yards per punt. He has landed seven inside the 20 yard line on 20 punts.
Star running back Stewart has proven to be a dangerous kick return man, returning two for touchdowns in 2005. He has fielded a team high 18 kicks this year and is averaging 29.4 yards per return. Backup tailback Johnson has fielded 16 kickoffs so far for a 20.4-yard average. Johnson also handles punt returns and is averaging 9.8 yards per attempt in that role. Finally, Oregon has given up a punt and kick return for a touchdown this year.
Matchups
? Oregon WR Jaison Williams vs. BYU CB Justin Robinson
? BYU TE Jonny Harline vs. Oregon ROV Patrick Chung
? BYU RB Curtis Brown vs. Oregon LB A.J. Tuitele
Scouts' Edge
This could prove to be the fastest paced game of the bowl season, as both teams rank in the top 10 nationally in total offense. The game also features an interesting sub-plot, as Oregon offensive coordinator Gary Crowton faces off against the team he once led as head coach. Now coaching BYU is Bronco Mendenhall, who was Crowton's defensive coordinator.
With all that in mind, though, the main focus of this battle is the mindset of two teams seemingly headed in opposite directions. BYU races into the Las Vegas Bowl with nine-consecutive victories under its belt, while Oregon ended its regular season on a three game skid. The Ducks are certainly talented enough to rebound with a win, but we like the Cougar's chances thanks to the superior play of Beck at the quarterback position.
Prediction: Cougars 38, Ducks 30
BYU's offensive attack ranks fifth nationally and is led by senior quarterback John Beck, who has thrown for 3,510 yards and 30 touchdowns this season. He is a poised and accurate passer who has done a good job protecting the ball with only six interceptions on 371 attempts. Beck spreads the ball around to a good group of receivers. True freshman McKay Jacobson leads the receivers with 26 grabs. He is the group's biggest down-field threat averaging 20 yards per reception. The rest of the group consists of reliable receivers and good route runners. Matt Allen, Zac Collie, Michael Reed, and Nathan Meikle all have at least 20 receptions and have combined for eight touchdowns. The strength of this offense's passing game is the tight ends. The main target is senior Jonny Harline, who has 49 receptions for a team best 754 yards. He averages 15.4 yards per catch and has a team-high 11 touchdowns. Daniel Coats is also a very good receiving tight end with 22 grabs and two touchdowns.
The Ducks will bring pressure with linebackers and safeties but may be forced to shy away from that with the Cougars ability to spread the field. A bulk of the passing rushing responsibility will fall on the shoulders of defensive end Darius Sanders. Sanders leads the Ducks with nine sacks, but all of BYU's offensive targets will allow Beck to quickly get rid of the ball and should make it tough for Oregon to get to him with their rush.
The strength of the BYU offense is the passing game, but its ability to stay balanced makes the passing game more effective. To that point the Cougars will attempt to run the ball behind a massive offensive line. The featured back is Curtis Brown as he leads the team in rushing with 890 yards. He is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has five rushing touchdowns. Brown provides more then rushing yards as he is also the teams leading receiver in receptions with 55. Brown provides the Cougars offense with a productive and versatile threat. The Cougars also possess a good No. 2 back in Fui Vakapuna. Sophomore Vakapuna, who returned this year from a mission, has a physical style and good speed. He has rushed for 442 yards and eight touchdowns. Facing an offensive line that averages 316 pounds could be a tough task for an Oregon defense that has been riddled by injuries. The chief concern is the linebacker spot, where the Ducks lost starter Brent Haberly early in the year and now might be without leading tackler Blair Phillips. The loss of Phillips will be a blow to a Duck defense that ranks 74th against the run.
Oregon Offense vs. Brigham Young Defense
The 2006 season started off with promise for Oregon. Quarterback Dennis Dixon looked sharp early on and seemed to be emerging as one of the premier dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. Through the first four games he ranked 8th in the nation in total offense, was averaging 286.5 yards of offense per game, and had the Ducks off to a 4-0 start. But things cooled off for Dixon from that point on. He wound up throwing more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes through the first 11 games, which led to Brady Leaf getting the starting nod in the regular season finale versus rival-Oregon State. Despite the losing effort versus the Beavers, it looks as if Leaf will get another start against BYU in the Bowl game.
With a talented backfield Oregon should look to run the ball and try and control the game. The Ducks have a spread attack of their own, but with turnover problems they should try and avoid airing it out. When healthy, Jonathan Stewart is one of the best backs in the land. He is big and explosive and leads the team in rushing. He is 40 yards shy of 1,000 yards despite getting knocked out of two games early. He is also a viable receiver out of the backfield. His back-up Jeremiah Johnson is a productive player in his own right. He has rushed for 603 yards and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Oregon has great size on the right side of the line and it should look to attack behind the big bodies of Palauni Ma Sun and Geoff Schwartz. BYU brings a solid run defense into this game but if Oregon commits to the ground game it should be able to create seams and wear BYU down.
When the Ducks do throw they have a favorable match-up with big receiver Jaison Williams on the perimeter versus 5-foot-9 cornerback Justin Robinson, who will struggle to hold his own physically. In fact the Oregon receivers in general have a size advantage over the Cougars secondary. Another key component in the passing game for Oregon should be TE Dante Rosario, who is the team's second leading receiver. Working the ball to Rosario in the middle of the field should help keep single coverage on the receivers outside, while also allowing Leaf and/or Dixon to move the ball in a controlled manner via the air.
Special Teams
BYU junior PK Jared McLaughlin is 13-of-17 on field goal attempts this year, including a long of 53 yards. Derek McLaughlin, who is of no relation to Jared, handles the punting. He is averaging 40.6 yards per attempt. Brown handles the majority of kickoff returns for BYU and he is averaging 22.2 yards per attempt. True freshman Jacobson will also return kicks. Finally, Meikle usually handles punt returns but he is questionable for this game. If he can't go Jacobson will most likely handle that duty.
Oregon senior Paul Martinez entered 2006 as one of the Pac-10's better kickers. However, he has failed to live up to the billing having connected on just 15 of 22 field goal attempts. Martinez also had a 36-yard attempt blocked versus Fresno State. He was pulled late in the Oregon State game in favor of Matt Evensen, who is 1-of-3 on the year and has had two kicks blocked. Senior Matt Dragich handled all the punting duties early, but Aaron Knowles is punting now. Knowles is averaging 40.8 yards per punt. He has landed seven inside the 20 yard line on 20 punts.
Star running back Stewart has proven to be a dangerous kick return man, returning two for touchdowns in 2005. He has fielded a team high 18 kicks this year and is averaging 29.4 yards per return. Backup tailback Johnson has fielded 16 kickoffs so far for a 20.4-yard average. Johnson also handles punt returns and is averaging 9.8 yards per attempt in that role. Finally, Oregon has given up a punt and kick return for a touchdown this year.
Matchups
? Oregon WR Jaison Williams vs. BYU CB Justin Robinson
? BYU TE Jonny Harline vs. Oregon ROV Patrick Chung
? BYU RB Curtis Brown vs. Oregon LB A.J. Tuitele
Scouts' Edge
This could prove to be the fastest paced game of the bowl season, as both teams rank in the top 10 nationally in total offense. The game also features an interesting sub-plot, as Oregon offensive coordinator Gary Crowton faces off against the team he once led as head coach. Now coaching BYU is Bronco Mendenhall, who was Crowton's defensive coordinator.
With all that in mind, though, the main focus of this battle is the mindset of two teams seemingly headed in opposite directions. BYU races into the Las Vegas Bowl with nine-consecutive victories under its belt, while Oregon ended its regular season on a three game skid. The Ducks are certainly talented enough to rebound with a win, but we like the Cougar's chances thanks to the superior play of Beck at the quarterback position.
Prediction: Cougars 38, Ducks 30
