Fresno State rookie head coach Tim DeRuyter gets the first serious test of his head coaching career in Week 2, in this afternoon game on the Left Coast. <\/p>\n
Fresno State Bulldogs at #5 Oregon Ducks Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n He must hope that his QB adapts to his new spread offense quickly; QB Derek Carr (younger brother of current Giants\u2019 back-up David) is one of the Mountain West\u2019s best at the position, but he won\u2019t face a tougher foe than the Oregon Ducks.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs did a good job of handling Weber State 37-10 in their season-opener, but the Ducks pose an entirely different challenge. Everyone knows that Oregon has the offensive speed to torch anybody, but the for the Ducks\u2019 part, they must get their defensive ducks in a row (sorry, I couldn\u2019t resist) after beating \u2013 but still getting torched by \u2013 Arkansas State, 57-34 in Week 1.<\/p>\n That the Oregon \u201cD\u201d got so exposed in the opener may actually be a bad thing for Fresno State, as the emphasis this week will surely be on the Top-10 ranked team getting its act together.<\/p>\n For Oregon, ranking 9th in the country in points scored is great, but placing 94th in points allowed will not win you a Pac-12 title.<\/p>\n Senior Arkansas State QB Ryan Aplin chucked for over 300 yards versus the Ducks, so that must inspire Carr and Co., that the opportunity is their for an offensive yield. Carr looked strong in the opener and having senior RB Robbie Rouse in the backfield with him must surely be a calming influence amidst getting acclimatized to DeRuyter\u2019s new scheme. [soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n The onus will be on Oregon\u2019s defense, for sure, but for a Ducks fans, solace can be taken in the fact that if Oregon needs to purely out-score you to win, it can do that.<\/p>\n Look for the dynamic duo of RBs Kenjon Barner and De\u2019Anthony Thomas to rip it up against the Bulldogs. Outside of LB Travis Brown, Fresno State do not have the horses to keep up to Oregon\u2019s blistering speed.<\/p>\n There was perhaps some worry in breaking in redshirt freshman QB Marcus Mariota, but he capably guided the spread offense versus Arkansas State, completing 18-for-22 and letting Barner gobble up 66 yards on just nine carries.<\/p>\n Fresno State is a much improved team this year after finishing 4-9 in 2011, but ultimately, Oregon should score early and often in a game that the Bulldogs will be lucky to keep close \u2013 especially after Oregon\u2019s 34-point wake-up call last week.<\/p>\n
\nSaturday, Sept. 8, 2012, 6:30 pm EST
\nVenue: Autzen Stadium, Eugene OR
\nGambling Odds from Bovada.lv
\nSpread: Fresno St +35, Oregon -35
\nMoneyLine: Fresno St. +8500, Oregon -23000
\nOver\/Under: 77<\/strong><\/p>\n