NCG Preview: Auburn's Rush Offense vs. Oregon's Rush Defense

Welcome to the 10th 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 10th topic examines the Auburn rush offense vs. the Oregon rush defense.

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

Just about every matchup is expected to be an intriguing one, but the Auburn rushing attack against the Oregon run-stop will be a neat one to watch.

Oregon's defense, much like its offense, relies less on brut strength and more on speed, conditioning and athleticism. That's not to say the Ducks lack power on that side of the ball, but the oft-used expression "they really fly around" certainly applies to them.

The Ducks, however, have not been asked to bring down a 6-foot-6, 250-pound Heisman Trophy-winning dual-threat quarterback at any point this season. And just because something sounds terribly basic, it doesn't make it any less true that Oregon's ability to tackle Cam Newton will be significant. If you figure he'll call his own number on 20 carries and drop back to pass another 25 times, that will be about two-thirds of Auburn's offensive plays where the Ducks will have to bring him down. Maybe even more considering Oregon's own quick-strike offense seems to create more opportunities for the other team, which typically possesses the ball four minutes more than Oregon each time out.

Can the Ducks get to Newton in the backfield for losses? Will they limit him to three- and four-yard gains instead of eight- and 10-yard pickups? Can they prevent long, improvised runs, especially on third-down plays?

As great of an individual talent as Newton is, Auburn has three other backs who rushed for more than 2,100 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. Michael Dyer, Onterio McCalebb and Mario Fannin averaged 6.8 yards a carry in 13 games, all victories.

Auburn's rushing attack is ranked fifth in the country, averaging 287 yards per game. Oregon's rush defense, however, is a not-too-shabby 16th, allowing 118 yards.

But here's the difference: Auburn piled up its gaudy numbers against an average rushing defense ranked 38th in its nine games against SEC opponents. Oregon, meanwhile, achieved its ranking while stopping an average rushing attack ranked No. 61 in its nine games vs. Pac-10 opponents.

Edge: Auburn

---

More Auburn-Oregon Previews:

+ The Quarterbacks
+ The Running Backs
+ The Receivers
+ The Offensive Lines
+ The Defensive Lines
+ The Linebackers
+ The Defensive Backs
+ Special Teams
+ The Coaches

Comments

[Skip]

I don't even see this as a close game, Auburn by far has a much better team. 44-19

book it

[Gifford]

Auburn could easily have lost three games this year. They will not be able to stop Oregon's explosive offense. Oregon wins and possibly by a large margin.

[Skip]

But they found ways to win in a much more superior conference.

The Duck is WACK