Six Keys to a Ducks Victory: Fuckin' Ducks

6. Breaking the SEC aura
The last four BCS champions have come from the SEC conference. In the nation's eyes, they are the dominant conference. When the Auburn Tigers step onto the field they will have that momentum going in. I doubt the Ducks have shaky knees because of this. I think with a lot of teams if they were to get behind big early that the shadow of Goliath would be dark enough that many teams would fold and quit. The Ducks have been behind early often this year. It has seem to be their calling card. The way Chip Kelly calls games the Ducks will never be out of this one and he won't have any fear being fearless with his playcalling. David has a shot (;) at taking down Goliath.

5. Rob Beard, Kicker for the Ducks
No one expects this game to come down to field goals, which usually means it might. Every point is important in a game like this and momentum can swing very fast if the Ducks drive the field and come up with nothing. Rob Beard has seen his share of conflict while at Oregon, both on and off the field (http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/University-of-Oregon-kicker-attacked/Tpu8S9oN3EayuEkUN1YXmg.cspx). Rob Beard started the season 8 for 8, but in the last three games has gone 1 for 4. Observing body language after his last missed kick he seemed to be searching the ground and asking himself "Where the fuck did IT go?". IT, being the same leg, motion, that got him 8 for 8. Is it simply a case of mechanics? A bad streak? No matter how many kicks he makes in practice, or pre-game warmups, you know each of those three missed field goals will be swimming in his head when he gets his opportunity. Chip will keep believing in him if he needs the points. If Chip believes, we all believe.

4. Keep the big plays in front of you-Defense
This is the bend, don't break mantra of most defensive coordinators and the Ducks have done a great job of applying it this year (minus the Cliff Harris losing his jockstrap on Rich Brooks' field against Arizona). It will be especially key against the Tigers. Cam Newton like the big play, the SportsCenter highlights. Don't give it to him. The Ducks will score a victory if they shorten the field. Don't give Cam the time to throw the long ball and certainly don't let yourself get beat deep. I think you will see a mix of blitzes and two deep coverages. Nick Alioti has been a master playcaller this year, and the Ducks have made great adjustments at half. Given almost a month to prepare, I think the Ducks defense and Alioti will be ready.

3. Who will step up?-Ducks Offense
We all know about LeMichael James (RUN LMJ), Jeff Maehl, and Darron Thomas. I think the Auburn defense will focus on stopping these three players. DT has seemed to be zeroing in on Maehl the last few games and I think Auburn defensive backs will be jumping on this and seeing if DT can go to other receivers. Nothing is more disruptive to the Ducks offense if you can get penetration up the middle. Nick Fairley, winner of the Lombardi trophy given to college football's best defensive player, will be that threat. If he can push the guards/centers into the backfield and cause disruption at the option handoff between the Ducks QB and the Ducks RB this will throw of the timing of the offense and allow other Auburn players to make plays. The Ducks have plenty of players that can step up: Barner, Huff, Paulson, Tunei and Davis. If the Ducks can all these players targets early, I think it will only help them later in the game. They will need all of them.

2. Please no fumbles-Ducks Special Teams
Yes, we all know the Ducks can be explosive on special teams. This is true more ways than one. Yes, it is exciting to see Cliff Harris take it to the house. It is also nerve racking to see fumbles on special teams. I don't have the numbers on how times we have put it on the carpet during special teams. It seems like one a game, but it might be less. Do us all a favor and hold on to the ball with two hands and high step it in the endzone.

1. DT, Darron Thomas
Yes, that sophomore Darron Thomas. When he who shall not be named was let go in the offseason, SOPHOMORE Darron Thomas was asked to lead the Ducks. Most fans, including myself, thought it was a good opportunity to gain some experience, with a chance to compete for the Pac-10 conference....next year. Now, he is in the spotlight, swimming in the glow and about to play for the Natty. What is there to lose? What is there to be nervous about? Scared? Throw in going against the Heisman Trophy winner. Scared yet? In the last couple of weeks, it seems the coaches have asked DT to run less often when backup QB Costa went down. Ask me today who the backup QB for the Ducks is and I wouldn't be able to answer. Darron Thomas missed most of the Washington State game but other than that has been able to shake the Ducks QB injury bug and stay on the field. If he can do that again this game, the Ducks will always have a chance. I am not sure how you cannot have some nerves in a game like this. My thoughts are that the Ducks will play with swagger and will have fun. Chip will have something up his sleeve and my guess is that it will be a shootout. DT cannot turn the ball over and must be able to use this legs. He will take his share of hits. By the fourth quarter, if the Auburn Tigers have their hands on their hips, huffing and puffing for air, wondering what hit them-spell it: Fuckin' Ducks!