Don't call me a quack

Some of you may remember last year's game between Oregon and Michigan. Wolverine fans have been trying to forget about the game that doused Michigan's national championship hopes early in the season. But for those of you who don't remember, let me jog your memory.\nMichigan entered Eugene, Ore., last September with a No. 3 national ranking, two Heisman contenders and one incredible football team. To the Wolverines, their fans and the media, this was simply another easy win for the Gold and Maize. Yes, Oregon was carrying a No. 22 national ranking, but most people figured Michigan would be too physical and too much of a dominant team for the Ducks to handle. All Michigan had to do was play the game. Little did they know what lay in store for them.\nOregon came out with a physical defense that limited Michigan tailback Chris Perry to just 26 yards. \nBut what really killed the Wolverines was their special teams. Oregon blocked a punt and returned one for a touchdown, leaving the Wolverines shell-shocked and with a loss.\nIf that story doesn't phase you, then maybe this statistic will. The Ducks haven't lost a nonconference home game in a decade. This news does not bode well for the Hoosiers, who are looking to continue their undefeated streak this weekend. Oh yeah, Oregon also returns its quarterback, tailback and one heck of a defense.\nSo do the Hoosiers have a chance? Statistically speaking, no. Playing at home, the Ducks will no doubt be heavy favorites heading into the game, but that's why the games are played on the field and not on paper. The fact that the Wolverines were favored last year allows the Hoosiers some hope.\nIn order to win, the Hoosiers will need to do many things well besides overcoming the deafening crowd noise at Autzen Stadium. Offensively, the Hoosiers need to explore their playbook a lot more than what we saw against Central Michigan. The Ducks are very capable of stopping the run, which is a staple of IU coach Gerry DiNardo's offense. In order to counter this, IU should use the play-action early and often to set up the run.\nThe Hoosier defense will face a true test as well. I expect the Ducks to air it out early and often to test the young Hoosier secondary. \nBut this game will not be lost on offense or defense. This game will be decided by the special teams. If the Hoosiers can get good field position and shutdown the Ducks' return game, then IU stands a good chance to be in position to win.\nHow much would a victory for the Hoosiers mean this weekend? \nIt would mean much more than a mere win. The Hoosiers face Kentucky and Michigan State in consecutive weekends after their trip to Oregon, and it's conceivable that if the Hoosiers upset Oregon, then they could win their next two games, meaning a 4-0 undefeated start to the season. If the Hoosiers are able to pull out a win in Eugene, we could be looking at one of the best Hoosier teams in the past decade.