Michigan Football: 3 things we need to see vs. Oregon

2. Create a defensive touchdown or two

With or without Will Johnson, the defense must score touchdowns to win on Saturday. They'll need pressure from all of the lineman to wreck Dillon Gabriel's day. He's the lynchpin that makes the offense hum. His worst performance of 2024 was the Michigan State victory with two interceptions.

The problem that Oregon's offense presents is that they have so many weapons to choose from. Jordan James, Noah Wittington, Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart and Terrance Ferguson should all be playing on Sundays someday. Assuming Johnson doesn't sit out, Michigan's four potential first round picks on defense can cement their status with legendary performances like Aidan Hutchinson did before them.

Special teams has to pull their weight as well with long returns. Setting up short fields for the offense is paramount to staying one step ahead of Gabriel and the Ducks.

In three road games the Ducks have outscored opponents 118-27. No one has scored on them in five quarters and they haven't surrendered a touchdown in six. The closest it has been in those three outing was when Oregon State tied it at seven a piece in the first period. They went on to score 42 of the next 49 points in that one.