The Oregon Ducks have managed every obstacle in front of them with relative ease so far this season, securing the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff and the only undefeated 13-0 record in the nation.
The next obstacle ahead will undoubtedly be the toughest, though.
Oregon faces off against the Ohio State Buckeyes on New Year Day in the Rose Bowl. The quarterfinal matchup in the College Football Playoff will decide who goes on to face either Texas or Arizona State in the Cotton Bowl.
While the Ducks got the best of the Buckeyes earlier today in the year — a 32-31 thriller at Autzen Stadium — asking anyone to beat the same team twice in a season is no small task. In order for Dan Lanning’s team to keep theirs hopeful championship run on the tracks, quarterback Dillon Gabriel is going to need to lead the way.
That is, with his arm or his feet.
So far this year, Gabriel — who finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting earlier this month — has been a dynamic dual-threat playmaker, he has thrown for over 3,500 yards with 28 touchdowns and 6 INTs. He has also added 192 yards and 7 TDs on the ground as well.
Against an Ohio State defense that ranks as the best in the nation, finding a balance between those two aspects of his game will be critical for Gabriel and the Ducks.
“I think it’s important for Dillon to be able to take what’s there,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said earlier this week. “There’s going to be times that he’s going to make those plays with his legs if they’re in coverage, and at times, that means he’s going to be able to throw the ball. But Dillon’s proven that throughout the year he can do both.”
The last time Gabriel and the Ducks saw the Buckeyes, he had one of his best games of the season, completing 23-of-34 passes for 341 yards, 2 TDs, and no INTs. He also added 32 yards and a TD on the ground as well.
Since that game, Ohio State has been able to allow zero passing touchdowns to opponents, but they’ve also seen nothing even comparable to Gabriel in terms of QB talent.
So on New Year’s Day, will Gabriel be able to break that streak and move his Ducks to the semifinals? If so, it will likely be thanks to his arm and his legs.
