Why the Oregon Ducks Should Run Liberty Off The Field in the Fiesta Bowl

FILE – Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) looks to pass against Hawaii during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. Nix is a finalists for the Heisman Trophy. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson, File)

By STEVEN VAUGHAN, 750 THE GAME

Many were surprised when Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said that Bo Nix would play in the Fiesta Bowl against Liberty. Nix is an NFL prospect and once Oregon lost the Pac-12 Championship to Washington, many were expecting that to be Nix’s last game. But Nix loves college football and said he wanted to play one last game for the Ducks.

Former Oregon Duck offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz joined the Bald Faced Truth with John Canzano and talked about the Ducks chances against 13-0 Liberty. Schwartz said as long as Bo Nix plays, the Ducks are going to be great.

“If they (Oregon) play their best game it’s not going to be close,” Schwartz said on 750 The Game. “Bo Nix playing I think almost guarantees that they’re going to play well or going to play their best game possible. If it had been Ty Thompson, (Austin) Novosad, or someone else maybe the feeling would be a glorified scrimmage and not really a bowl game we’re trying to win, but Bo Nix playing certainly makes it feel like it matters.”

Schwartz also said that the depth of Oregon is going to be huge. Even with numerous players sitting out like Bucky Irving, Brandon Dorlus, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and potentially others, Schwartz says the great recruiting classes will show up and they are better then Liberty’s starting players.

“(Oregon’s) backups would probably start at Liberty too,” said Schwartz. “This is the time for all the depth you have. All the recruiting to show (up). They’re an 18-1/2 point favorite. They are the biggest favorite in bowl season right now. It kind of shows you what Oregon can do.”

Dan Lanning has been known to motivate his teams. He did it all season long. Schwartz thinks Dan Lanning will motivate the Ducks to win the game, and run Liberty off of the field.

“Oregon not being ready to play is not really a thing for Dan Lanning in his two years now. I think they’ll play hard and if they play hard and want to be there and want to win, they’ll win the game. It would be a bad loss (for Oregon). Liberty should not be on the field with Oregon.”

Strong words from the former NFL player, but he may not be wrong. Liberty’s strength of schedule was the worst in the nation. If Oregon shows up to play, Liberty doesn’t belong on the field with Oregon.

Listen to the full interview with former Oregon offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz by clicking the podcast below. Catch the Bald Faced Truth with John Canzano weekdays 3-6 p.m. in Portland exclusively on 750 The Game.