Ducks Defensive Line Will Be Big Against Colorado

Oregon defensive end Jordan Burch celebrates a stop against Portland State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)

By STEVEN VAUGHAN, 750 THE GAME

Colorado, Deion Sanders and Shedeur Sanders have been the talk of college football. Whatever you think of them you have to admit that they are intriguing and are providing results on the field winning their first three games.

It hasn’t been all clean for the Buffaloes and heading into Week 4 against Oregon. Colorado is going to have to play better. But it won’t be easy as the Oregon Ducks just cracked the top 10 in the latest AP Poll and are looking good with senior quarterback Bo Nix.

Zachary Neel covers the Oregon Ducks for USA Today and joined John Canzano on The Bald Faced Truth and said that the Ducks are going to have a huge advantage in their game against Colorado.

“I’m focused on Oregon’s defensive line vs. Colorado’s offensive line,” Neel said on 750 The Game. “I know Oregon’s defensive line doesn’t have all the stats, but if you look at the eye test they certainly pass that test. They had four sacks against Texas Tech which is a team who throws the ball a lot. Hawaii threw the ball a lot, but it was a lot of quick passes. They didn’t really give the defensive linemen the opportunity to get in the backfield. Same with Portland State. They’re low-grade schools, with all due respect, that don’t want to get injured in those games.”

Colorado has given up 16 sacks in three games this season which is the tied for second-worst in the nation. Neel says that because Colorado is a conference game and is a good team. The Ducks will be looking to get after the star quarterback.

“Colorado’s offensive line is not great. They give up on average five sacks a game. They are one of the lower-rated offensive lines in the nation. I think this could be a game where Oregon’s defensive line really feasts and really gets a lot of pressure on Shedeur Sanders.”

The Ducks are 21-point favorites on Saturday against Colorado. That’s a huge spread between two undefeated teams in the top 25, but Neel thinks if the Ducks can make Sanders uncomfortable in the pocket, Oregon can pull away for a win.

“If Oregon wants to run away with this game as they’re expecting, that’s going to be one of their number one keys to the game,” he said. “They need to get pressure on Shedeur (Sanders), keep him uncomfortable and not letting him sit back there in the pocket. If they do that, I like their chances.”

Listen to the full interviews with USA Today’s Zachary Neel by clicking the podcast below. Catch the Bald Faced Truth with John Canzano weekdays 3-6 pm in Portland exclusively on 750 The Game.