SEATTLE BOWL | OREGON (7-5) VS. WAKE FOREST (6-6)
Monday, Dec. 30 (ESPN, 5:30 p.m. ET)

The Oregon Ducks got off to a fast start with six straight victories and were looking forward to three straight home games (and four of their next six contests in Eugene, Ore., at Autzen Stadium). But major defensive problems led to anything but a home-field advantage for coach Mike Bellotti's squad.

Wake Forest must figure out a way to slow down exceptional junior RB Onterrio Smith.

The Ducks fell to Arizona State (45-42) and USC (44-33) the next two weeks, with their overmatched defense having trouble dealing with top-echelon quarterbacks Andrew Walter of ASU and Heisman winner Carson Palmer of USC.

In November, Washington QB Cody Pickett and Oregon State QB Derek Anderson also lit up the Ducks' defense.

For coach Jim Grobe's Demon Deacons, close games dotted the season's landscape. They defeated East Carolina 27-22 and eked out three-point victories over Purdue, Georgia Tech and Navy.

On the flip side, the Demon Deacons fell to Northern Illinois by just one point in overtime, lost by four points to Virginia and by eight points to Clemson at Death Valley.

Grobe's complex, intricate rushing offense features creative formations and a number of confusing misdirection plays which stretch collegiate defenses to the breaking point. Against Oregon, Wake Forest's offense must find a way to control the ball and time of possession.

QB James MacPherson won't scare defenses with his passing skills, but he's a solid field general who does a fine job directing Grobe's attack. However, Wake Forest lacks a multidimensional, balanced attack, so an Oregon defense that was in over its head in the regular season could have a much better opportunity to get the job done. Remember, the Ducks' incredibly sub-par pass defense led to the D's overall downfall in the second half of the season.

When the Ducks have the ball, Wake Forest hopes that senior DE Calvin Pace provides the necessary pass pressure on QB Jason Fife. Wake Forest must also figure out a way to slow down exceptional junior RB Onterrio Smith.

However you look at it, the Ducks have far too many weapons for Wake to deal with. Keep in mind, the Demon Deacons allowed 31-plus points in six games.