Oregon's Keys to Success

So how are the Oregon Ducks going to try to defeat my Sooners tonight in the Holiday Bowl? Here are the Ducks keys to the game according to Salem's Statesman Journal.

Contain Adrian Peterson: The 2004 Heisman Trophy runner-up, Peterson has overcome a high ankle sprain that limited his production early on, and has rushed for 639 yards and eight touchdowns in Oklahoma's past four games. If Peterson finds holes in Oregon's defense, it opens up the play-action pass for quarterback Rhett Bomar. He had 183 yards in last year's game against Oregon, and 1,925 overall.

Leave the BCS blues behind: Oregon can't be dwelling on being left out of a BCS game. The Ducks need to keep their focus on beating Oklahoma, which would give them a school record-tying 11th win.

Young quarterbacks: It will be the first bowl game appearance for Bomar, a redshirt freshman, and Oregon sophomores Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf. Oregon will try to force the Sooners to pass more than they would like, and make Bomar beat them. The Ducks need to do a solid job in pass protection against a defense that has recorded 42 sacks. Oregon's offensive line, led by center Enoka Lucas, has allowed just 17 sacks.

Ignore the past: The five previous games between the schools have been dominated by Oklahoma. The Sooners were victorious at home in 1958 (6-0), 1966 (17-0), 1972 (68-3), 1975 (62-7), and 2004 (31-7). It's a chance for Oregon to beat a marquee program on a national stage.

Spreading the field: While Oregon is preparing for a heavy dose of Peterson and a power running game, the Ducks have more offensive weapons. Oklahoma hasn't seen a spread offense this season that operates like the Ducks. Dixon is a multi-dimensional quarterback, wideout Demetrius Williams is a 1,000-yard receiver, and the Ducks have three players (Willliams, wide receiver James Finley, and tailback Terrence Whitehead) with more receptions that Oklahoma's leading receiver, Malcolm Kelly. Oregon's ability to utilize its playmakers against perhaps the fastest defense it will face this season figures to be a major factor in the game.