Welcome to the third of 17 — yep, 17 — BCS National Championship Game preview pieces here on OGS. Each day until Jan. 10, we'll take a comparative look at Auburn and Oregon. Today's third topic examines each team's receivers.
By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season
Each team is blessed with a reliable receiving corps, though neither side boasts a terribly prolific passing game.
Auburn and Oregon have good air attacks, but considering both teams value the rush far more than the pass, it's hard to see that one team has a distinct advantage over the other in this area. But if your measurable sways in favor of the team with the best individual receiver, let's talk about Jeff Maehl.
The Oregon senior has capped a fine career that began with him in a reserve role in the Ducks secondary. Maehl had 68 catches for 943 yards and 12 touchdowns this year in a run-first offense that possessed the ball an average of four minutes fewer than its opponents. Averaging about six catches for 80 yards and a touchdown every time out in such an offense is pretty impressive.
Fellow senior D.J. Davis is a solid No. 2 wideout, and Lavasier Tuinei, if he's fully recovered from a shoulder injury, is a potential X-factor considering his 6-foot-5 frame is the type of big body that gave Auburn's secondary problems this year. Tuinei is also an excellent downfield blocker. Tight end David Paulson won't pile up many receptions, but his 17.6-yards-per-catch is worth mentioning. Look for him to extend a drive or two.
Though Auburn only completes 13 passes a game, its receiving corps can be dangerous as well. Darvin Adams is the team's leading wideout with just 48 catches this season. But he and really the top trio of Auburn receivers can burn you with yards after catch and big plays. Adams, Terrell Zachery and Emory Blake combined for 114 catches, 1,966 yards and 18 touchdowns. That's a nice trio in what is also a run-first attack.
The threesome averages 17.2 yards per catch, including Adams' norm of 18.9. The Tigers overall gained 15.7 yards for every pass completion. Makes you wonder why they don't pass more than 20 times a game. Oh yeah, that Cam Newton guy is a little bit of a runner.
I think Oregon has the best individual wideout in Maehl, but Auburn might have the better depth here.
Edge: Even
More Auburn-Oregon Previews: The Quarterbacks | The Running Backs