The 25 Oregon Ducks (4-2) tackle the no. 10 Iowa State Cyclones (8-3) in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl in 2021. The Ducks clinched a birth in the game after taking down USC in the Pac-12 title game, which the State of Iowa entered with a loss for Oklahoma in the Big Ten title.
Oregon is listed as a 4-point underdog, according to William Hill sports books. Like theDuckTerritory done before every game in Oregon, let’s look at the most important factors and what the final score of the game is. Here’s how the DuckTerritory staff see the game go.
Erik Skopil:
I’m an optimist. I say this because Iowa State is the more capable team this year. They have more impressive victories. They were more consistent.
I believe Oregon is improving. Remember, they played five fewer games than the Iowa States, which means the pace of improvement in terms of a played experience is different. But I felt the USC games were a turning point. That was definitely the case for Andy Avalos’ group. It is my feeling that the Ducks will be good enough again by the run-up (they have both Cal and USC less than two yards per carry) to limit opponents. The bigger question is on the other side of the ball. Does Tyler Shough have this in him? This is now the million dollar question in Eugene. If he does not, the ducks will need many breaks to catch up. If he does, I can see Oregon winning this game in different ways.
Regardless of it all, I think it will be a close game from the start through the finish line. The Ducks have a chance to end their season on a high note like in 2019 with conference championships and the New Year’s six victory to end the season. I think they pull it out.
Oregon 27, Iowa State 24
Matt Prehm:
For the first time this season, the Oregon Ducks will have their first four receivers healthy and available for this game. I think it will be big because of a transgression that has not been at its best in the last few weeks. I like the Ducks being able to run the ball against Iowa State, even if CJ Verdell is not playing for Oregon. I think it will be a good show for the ducks. Maybe not their best, but much improved. In defense, I do not think ISU has anyone who can block Kayvon Thibodaux and Noah Sewell. I expect who plays from both. For KT, this is perhaps his best game in Oregon. ISU will get their stuff on the ground, but Oregon’s coverage at the pass will be the difference.
Give Me Oregon 27, Iowa State 23.
Kevin Wade:
After the Big 12 seemed like a no-brainer for the playoffs, it changed the post-season story with Texas handling Colorado and Oklahoma, and laying it on Florida. Iowa State, the second-best team in the conference, has the offensive weapons to chase the Ducks out of the building, and the combination of returning Breece Hall and quarterback Brock Purdy is going to make this game challenging for Oregon’s defense.
Oregon has continually improved on the defensive side of the ball, with their best game so far knocking out the talented athletes from USC, but if the state of Iowa is able to perform, it’s a force to be reckoned with. That side of the ball will depend on Iowa State’s ability to block the pass of Kayvon Thibodeaux and the play of the other defensive lineouts like Brandon Dorlus and Jordon Scott.
Offensive to the ducks, they opened a can of worms by introducing Anthony Brown to the equation. Iowa State must not only prepare for Tyler Shough, who has sometimes shown a strong order over the Joe Moorhead RPO offense, but now he must prepare for any wrinkles Brown may add. Regardless of the status of CJ Verdell this weekend, Oregon should be able to open up their receivers and break down the strange stack of the state of Iowa.
I think the state of Iowa will be able to find their points early and probably lead in the half, but look at the Oregon defense to stop, which gives Oregon a one-possession victory in the fourth quarter.
Oregon 34, Iowa State 31
Jared Mack:
Oregon is back in the Fiesta Bowl for the first time since 2013, and they tackle their best opponent of the season in Iowa State no. 10 (8-3). The cyclones have one of the best offenses in the country, with Brock Purdy and Breece Hall leading the attack. In typical Big 12 fashion, this team can score with the best of them. The Cyclones have outscored more than 400 yards in eight of their 11 games this season, while Hall and the company have also had more than 200 yards on the ground in six of those games. Oregon’s defense put up a great defensive display against USC in the Pac-12 championship game, which kept USC up to 28 yards on 28 attempts. Oregon will need this version of their defensive front to win the game. The Ducks secondary series, which did a three-game interception against Kedon Slovis of USC, has a fair share of opportunities against Purdy. Purdy has spoken for 18 times this year and had nine interceptions, including three in the Big 12 game.
On the offensive side, it looks like Oregon is a bit lost by sliding the ball through the air through the field. Joe Moorhead and Tyler Shough will soon have to figure out what to fix, as the state of Iowa tends to allow some big passing games. The attack on the Ducks rush was very late, as the rise of Sean Dollars in the conference game could help the Ducks again if CJ Verdell is unable to play. On the way to the game, I’m not as confident in Oregon’s offense as I was a month ago. Shough’s confidence has waned, and his reluctance to throw may be a killer for Oregon in this game. I take the Iowa State to win with an offense, but I expect the game to stay close until the last minutes.
Iowa State 34, Oregon 27
Ethan Wyss:
Iowa State star Breece Hall will have a day off against Oregon’s weak rushing defense. I can only imagine it would be a similar performance that Duck fans can remember for Jermar Jefferson against Oregon State, where they allowed 226 yards and two touchdowns. Iowa State has a strong top 7 that will force young Tyler Shough to make mistakes in his first career game. I was not good with Oregon in my prediction before the PAC-12 game, and asked Oregon to lose by two counts. They have performed, especially the Ducks defense, and if they play on the level against USC, it could go in Oregon’s favor. However, I do not think that will be the case, I think Oregon will lose the turnover battle and that will definitely be the game. Cyclones win and cover.
Iowa State 33, Oregon 24
Sign up for the FREE DuckTerritory.com newsletter and get all your Oregon news daily straight to your inbox.
Consider this if you are not a GDP subscriber on DuckTerritory.com sign up today and get your first month for only $ 1!