Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Even with Chip Kelly gone, the Oregon Ducks are one of the best teams in college football. Kelly left the cupboard full, or so to speak, for new head coach Mark Helfrich and it has shown in the first two weeks of the season. The Ducks are 2-0, slaughtering both opponents on the way to their perfect mark through two weeks.
On the other side of the field, the Tennessee Volunteers are missing many key pieces from a season ago, but they enter week two with a 2-0 record. Head coach Butch Jones has turned this team into somewhat of a scoring machine, but I’m not sure if they will be able to keep up the scary attack in the SEC.
Oregon is just flat-out scary on offense. De’Anthony Thomas leads the rushing attack with 252 yards on 29 carries and five touchdowns. Even more scary, quarterback Marcus Mariota has rushed for 235 on nine carries while passing for 433 yards and three touchdowns. Yes, Mariota averages 26 yards per carry — for a quarterback. Just unheard of numbers for the Heisman contender.
Tennessee has one of its worst passing offenses in recent memory. Apparently losing Tyler Bray to graduation hurt this teams passing attack more than anyone could have imagined. Granted, it’s only two weeks into the season, but Tennessee ranks 108th in the nation in passing yards per game with 137 per contest. The rushing game is much better behind running back Rajion Neal who has 215 yards and four scores this season for an offense that averages 48.5 points per game.
Defensively, the Volunteers allow just 10 points per game so far in 2013 while allowing just 302 yards of total offense — albeit they are playing against lowly opponents. Oregon has given up just 13 points this season while playing an opponent from a BCS conference. They have allowed, on average, just over 300 yards per game this season while blowing out anyone in their way.
Tennessee will travel to Oregon to take on the Ducks at 3:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Sept. 14. The game will be broadcasted on ABC.
PREDICTION: Tennessee 17, Oregon 45
Related: Oregon Ducks Roll
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
