5 Bold Predictions For Colorado vs. Oregon

By Alex Drude

5 Bold Predictions For Colorado vs. Oregon

Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) slips through the grip of Stanford Cardinal linebacker A.J. Tarpley (17) for a touchdown at Autzen Stadium — “Oregon winning” does not count as a bold prediction for this game. Duck freshman Royce Freeman (shown) can get closer to an all-time Oregon record and do something no Duck has ever done. Colorado’s best player will continue to impress. There are many historical possibilities Saturday for both squads besides the score at Autzen and we’ll get to them, but No. 5 involves a pre-game activity.

5. A Junior Gets The Loudest Applause On Oregon’s Senior Day

Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich and quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) talk before the game against the Oregon State Beavers

5. A Junior Gets The Loudest Applause On Oregon’s Senior Day

Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich and quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) talk before the game against the Oregon State Beavers — Although a junior as far as football eligibility goes, Marcus Mariota is in his fourth year at Oregon and has already graduated. The Heisman front-runner and possible top pick in the 2015 NFL draft will easily get the loudest ovation from the crowd on Saturday afternoon, and “one more year” will be heard loud and clear as Super Mario likely makes his last home start as a Duck.

4. No Matter The QB, CU’s Nelson Spruce Will Get Loose

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Nelson Spruce (22) runs a route in the second quarter against the Washington Huskies at Folsom Field.

4. No Matter The QB, CU’s Nelson Spruce Will Get Loose

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Nelson Spruce (22) runs a route in the second quarter against the Washington Huskies at Folsom Field. — The Biletnikoff semifinalist has 99 receptions on the year for 1,091 yards and 11 TDs. The 9.9 receptions per game leads the country. That's really impressive on a team that hasn’t won a game in two months. Buffs QB Sefo Liufau is iffy with a concussion, so backup Jordan Gehrke will get to toss a few to Spruce either way. The gambling Oregon secondary will let Spruce get loose.

3. Royce Freeman Gets Real Close To The All-Time Oregon Single-Season Rushing TD Record

Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium

3. Royce Freeman Gets Real Close To The All-Time Oregon Single-Season Rushing TD Record

Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium — He already has 14 rushing scores and the single-season school record is 21. I don’t think he gets seven on Saturday, but five isn’t out of the question. A certainty is that Freeman will get at least 55 yards, making him the first Oregon true freshman with 1,000. LaMichael James rushed for 1,546 as a redshirt frosh in 2009. Coincidence that Freeman wears LMJ’s number? I think not.

2. Within Four Plays, Marcus Mariota Will Join A Very Exclusive Quarterback Club

Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs with the ball during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Oregon won 51-27.

2. Within Four Plays, Marcus Mariota Will Join A Very Exclusive Quarterback Club

Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs with the ball during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Oregon won 51-27. — Super Mario is just nine rushing yards away from becoming the fifth QB to run for at least 2,000 yards and throw for at least 9,000. The leader is Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan. The others are RGIII, Colin Kaepernick and Tim Tebow. LeFevour is the only other guy to accomplish the feat in three seasons. Mariota ought to join the club on his first rush of the day, beginning a memorable final (probably) home game for him.

1. It Won’t Be The Worst Loss Colorado’s Had On Nov. 22, But Oregon Will Still Break An All-Time Mark

Oregon Ducks mascot entertains against the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium

1. It Won’t Be The Worst Loss Colorado’s Had On Nov. 22, But Oregon Will Still Break An All-Time Mark

Oregon Ducks mascot entertains against the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium — On Nov. 22, 1890, in the second game of the first year Colorado played football, the team lost 103-0 to the Colorado School of Mines. Oregon’s modern-day record for points in a game is 72. The Ducks put up 70 in 2012 the last time the two schools met in Eugene. Oregon has outscored Colorado 172-32 since the Buffs joined the Pac-12. All signs point to a record-breaker for the Ducks and lots of push-ups for Puddles.

Alex Drude is a Pac-12 writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Alex_Drude. “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.

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Colorado Buffaloes

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