1. The Justin Herbert effect
This is a thing. Justin Herbert makes the Ducks that much better and more difficult to beat. Just look at the seasonal rundown for Oregon. Herbert started the first five games of the season and the Ducks went 4-1. After he was injured, Oregon went just 1-4, losing to Washington, Stanford, UCLA and Washington State by double-digits.
When Herbert returned in the final two games of the year as the team’s starter, he went 2-0 and threw four touchdowns and one interception with two more rushing scores. He’s a touchdown machine and one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country.
The sophomore will be ready to go in the Las Vegas Bowl as he’s coming off a 251-yard, four-touchdown (total) performance in a 69-10 win over Oregon State. He’s going to have his offense ready to go on Saturday afternoon.
Herbert is going to gain some extra confidence heading into the 2018 season under new head coach Mario Cristobal.
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The offense will be clicking against Boise State and it usually does when Herbert gets the start. In games where he’s played the entire four quarters, he hasn’t thrown for less than 235 yards this year. Expect more of the same in the Las Vegas Bowl.