If you're feeling like an optimistic Oregon Duck fan, there are reasons to think positively about this team going into a Week 8 matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini on the road. Yes, the last several days in Eugene have been a mixed bag of off-field mistakes and internal punishment, but going back to the comeback win over Nebraska on Saturday night, the on-field product appears to be on an upward trend.
Now it's just about whether or not the Ducks can keep the ball rolling this week against the Illini.
We expect it to be Dylan Raiola under center once again as Dante Moore continues to work his way back, but it will be the defense that holds the keys to victory for the Ducks.
To preview the game, we go through our weekly roundtable with the writers from Ducks Wire to offer our opinions and predictions for what's to come. Here is our roundtable conversation.
A Nebraska Escape
Question:Oregon got away with the comeback victory over Nebraska. Which resonates with you more: The Ducks' inability to move the ball for 3 quarters, or their ability to mount a comeback charge in the 4th?
Zachary Neel: I'm not going to forget those first three quarters any time soon, but I do think that Oregon showed some things in the fourth quarter, beyond just Dylan Raiola's performance. The offensive line appeared to find something with the five players they trotted out there, and Brandon Smith looked really good in the rushing attack. I think the Ducks might be close to turning a corner here.
Don Smalley: I was happy the team was able to rally in the fourth quarter and pull off the victory with the superior quarterback on the field. My question was: why did it take so long to put Raiola in? The change should have been made at halftime, if not sooner.
Bjorn Bergstrom: Their inability to move the ball for three quarters, which was the same story in Week 7 against UCLA. So, that’s six of the last eight quarters that have been poor offensive play, as opposed to just the fourth quarters in both games. The reality is that this offense ultimately just isn’t good right now, regardless of the fourth-quarter comebacks. Figuring out how to get some sort of consistency out of this unit is vital to Oregon winning over the next couple of weeks.
Logan Brown: It’s not about how you start; it’s about how you finish. Yes, Oregon’s lack of offense for three quarters was very concerning, but the offense is just completely different when Brock Thomas is at quarterback compared to Dylan Raiola. The running lanes were open when Raiola was in as a passing threat, so the defense couldn’t just stack the box. We also saw several freshmen contribute to the fourth-quarter comeback, so I’m choosing to remain positive here and say the late-game play has been inspiring.
Oregon's Future
Question:At this point, we aren’t sure when or if Dante Moore is going to return. How far do you think this team can go if he doesn’t come back?
Zachary Neel: If Dante Moore doesn't return, I think this team could potentially make it to the first round of the College Football Playoff, but not much further. However, if Moore does come back, I do think there's a world where they can make a run at things, assuming he looks like the guy we have grown accustomed to.
Don Smalley: I'm still hoping for a playoff appearance. It may be wishful thinking, but given the fact Ohio State is having QB injury problems as well, that game looks vastly different now.
Bjorn Bergstrom: I had envisioned the Ohio State game to be a definite loss, but with the Julian Sayin news, I’m not so sure. If we get the Dylan Raiola that showed up against USC, I think the Ducks could still run the table and make the CFP. But if they are anything short of that, I’d cap their ceiling at 8-4 or 9-3.
Logan Brown: Looking at the rest of Oregon’s schedule, I think the Ducks can beat Northwestern and Michigan State with Raiola under center, while facing Michigan’s defense and Washington in a rivalry are more in question. I don’t think Oregon can beat Ohio State without Moore, even if the Buckeyes are using a backup quarterback themselves. If Moore isn’t coming back, start booking your tickets to the Alamo Bowl, if you’re optimistic.
The Offensive Fix
Question:We're six games into the season, and Oregon's offense has been frustratingly inconsistent. If you could fix just ONE thing about the Ducks' offense heading into the second half of the year, what would it be?
Zachary Neel: It all starts with the offensive line, and if that improves, then I think you'll see everything else start to get better as well. A better blocking scheme will allow more successful runs, which will load up the box and allow bigger windows in the secondary. The OL playing well would have massive ripple effects.
Don Smalley: Run the ball more and be more balanced. That would get the rush off Raiola and make the defenses guess more.
Bjorn Bergstrom: The offensive line is a popular choice because the run game hasn’t managed to get off its feet, but for me, the quarterback play has been maddening. It was difficult to watch Raiola forget how to play football against UCLA and watch Thomas just be so inept to play the position at this level against a defense exploiting his deficiencies. Missing reads is one thing, but the lack of accuracy and chemistry with the pass catchers in the last two weeks has been downright ugly.
Logan Brown: If I could snap my fingers and make one thing better, it would be the offensive line. The Ducks seemed to find some success late against Nebraska, but the line has been the biggest reason the Ducks have struggled to run the ball this season. If Oregon could run the ball, I wouldn’t be as worried about the backup quarterback situation, which forces the offensive line to settle into a dropback passing attack in some scenarios, making protection tougher. At this point, the offensive line and running game might be in their final form, but there is a chance the group finds a second gear in the second half of the season.
Illinois Threats
Question: Oregon is heading on the road to face an Illinois team that has been inconsistent this season. The Ducks are favorites, but we've seen them struggle in games they were expected to win comfortably. What's the biggest key to avoiding another nail-biter in Champaign?
Zachary Neel: I think Oregon just needs to avoid mistakes and turnovers on offense here, mostly. Yes, it will be important for them to move the ball and pick up first downs, but even if this is a low-scoring game, I think the Ducks can get it done because of their defense. However, if they're giving Illinois extra chances, then this could get dicey.
Don Smalley: Get the offense going and score early. The quicker they end this game, the better.
Bjorn Bergstrom: Moving the chains and sustaining drives with the run game. That’s the formula to winning Big Ten games on the road, but it’s a formula that has evaded Oregon for the first three quarters in two straight games. Yes, the Ducks defense will be facing a true freshman backup quarterback, but if the offense can’t score any points, it’ll be tight nonetheless.
Logan Brown: Fluster the freshman quarterback. Michael Clayton II was impressive against Michigan State, but the Ducks’ defensive line is a tough opponent to face in your first career start. If Oregon can get pressure consistently, the secondary won’t have to worry about holding up against Collin Dixon as long. I trust, maybe to a fault, that Oregon’s offense will be able to score on Illinois, so as long as Clayton doesn’t get into a rhythm, the Ducks should be fine on the road.
Gambling Corner
Question: Gambling Corner: You get $100 to spread across the point spread (Oregon -8.5), and the Over/Under (50.5 points). How are you allocating your funds?
Zachary Neel: I've got 60$ on Oregon to cover, and the other $40 on the under.
Don Smalley: I think the Ducks roll here. $70 on the Ducks to cover and $30 on the UNDER.
Bjorn Bergstrom: Give me all $100 on Illinois to cover. Ducks fans, I hope you can understand my doubts of them covering over a two-possession spread.
Logan Brown: I feel a little bit crazy given the state of Oregon’s offense in recent weeks, and the unit is down Jeremiah McClellan and Evan Stewart as well, but I think the Ducks are going to win comfortably this week. I’ll put $70 on Oregon to cover the spread and $30 on the over.
Final Score Prediction
Question: Who wins this game, and what is the final score?
Zachary Neel: Give me Oregon 24, Illinosi 16
Don Smalley: Oregon 34, Illinois 13
Bjorn Bergstrom: 17-13, Ducks squeak by once again.
Logan Brown: Oregon 34, Illinois 13. Raiola slings it and has a successful day through the air, while the Ducks’ defense provides good field position to build an early lead and never look back.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Ducks Wire staff predicts Oregon Ducks vs. Illinois Fighting Illini