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UNLEASHED: Ducks' Defensive Line TERRORIZED Penn State | Is Oregon A Playoff LOCK After Big Win?

The fantastic, phenomenal beginning of the Duck running back Dierre HillAutzen ZooThe fantastic, phenomenal beginning of the Duck running b...Bucky. KB. LaMichael. DAT. J-Stew. Rolls Royce. Oregon running backs come in different sizes, shapes and styles, but it's a marvelous tradition.

Ducks vs Them | 2025 Oregon Football Game 5 | “A Thousand Cuts” Premeres at 12:29 pm today, October 1! Every time you click on the video arrow, it will give you the count down. Go Ducks, Fly High!!

Call me crazy, but.... ...this new Chad Powers show has a main character who’s literally the Oregon Ducks quarterback. He takes the team all the way to the title game, fumbles on the one-yard line, and it all falls apart, and they lose. Then they make him do some ridiculous villain stuff after that, like impersonating a person to get in another school to play, punching a cancer-stricken fan’s dad on TV, knocking the kid over in the process, etc. I don’t know, but it’s hard not to see this as more than just a story. It almost feels like some Washington fan became a writer and finally got their dream chance to make fun of Oregon. The “zero championships” thing is basically baked into the plot. The jab at cheating, the irony of it all. Maybe it’s nothing. Or maybe it’s a long-planned joke from the folks up north. 😆 Either way, it’s hard not to notice. We'll see who's laughing come November 29th. Go Ducks!!

I think Moore has already learned his lesson and seen it pay off. He rushed to start in college and it didn't go well for him at UCLA. He sat and learned a year and developed and is now seeing the benefit of development. I'm still not banking that he'll be here next year but I do believe he is focused on the season right now and he will make his d vision to stay or go after a careful evaluation at the end of the season.

Hopefully Dante Moore talks to Justin Herbert and Bo Nix about the importance of playing and learning as much as possible before putting his name in the NFL draft hat. There is no substitute for in-game experience for a QB. There are plenty of examples of very talented QBs, with only a year or two of starting experience at the collegiate level, who were thrust into starting in the NFL, with very high expectations, for really bad organizations (there is a reason the same teams are always picking at the top of the draft), who failed spectacularly in the NFL. Staying and learning does not guarantee success but I believe that it increases a QBs odds of success (and that second contract is where you really strike gold).

Herbstreit now has Ducks in his top 5 at No. 2. Gives OSU credit for ewe dub being a rough atmosphere. Oregon Fans Won't Believe Where Kirk Herbstreit Ranks Ducks After Penn State Win

Let's hope winning the Heisman won't change his mind. Oregon Ducks QB Dante Moore 'in no rush' to leave for NFL, per report

YES! Great anticipation leading up to this next episode. Nice reporting by Autzen Zoo. "Ducks vs Them" has become the staple, the campfire Duck fans gather round on Monday or Tuesday, the injection of Autzen excitement they take right into their veins in the space between big games. It gives them an inside look at the process and the plan, an understanding of the story and enormous heart of the team they love, reviewing key plays from multiple angles, experiencing the reaction on the sideline, hearing what was said over the headset or how Jerry Allen called it. It's epic, intimate storytelling and a glimpse into the connection and joy that fuels Dan Lanning and his players. The typical reaction after an episode is over is "wow" and "I wish that was longer." Except this week with the story being so riveting and suspenseful, the episode is taking longer for the reveal. Already it's Wednesday morning and no "Ducks vs Them." The delay (probably because this one is going to be extra long, extra cinematic and extra good) is making Duck fans a little crazy. Here is a link to the entire series, which can be watched on the Go Ducks YouTube channel. Others urge Zen appreciation and patience. Eric Hovland urges Duck fans to brace for impact. A few are beyond patience, all the way to urgency and desperation. The series has become so iconic in the lives of Duck fans that it has its own ranking and rating system. One fan provided his own appetizer. Ducks vs Them | 2025 Oregon Football Game 5 | “A Thousand Cuts” Premeres at 12:29 pm today, October 1! Every time you click on the video arrow, it will give you the count down. Love it!

Ducks national and BIG offensive rankings to date. How Oregon's offense stacks up statistically through five games

This post right here...Priceless. When Harbaugh had Andrew Luck, they were formidable. That is what Allar is closest to. But he is pressing too much. Partly because he really doesn't have threatening WRs. And his OL is not top shelf-it is A- in a world of A and A+ defensive fronts. James Franklin may have to win to start getting the type of talent Ohio State and Michigan (and OBD of course) harvest every year. He is as close as he can get now. They need two WRs to step up. They are no threat downfield. I've watched Allar in all of his Spring Games. Its the same every time: he holds the ball waiting for his WRs to get open. It looks weird because you can tell he's uncomfortable about it. Heck, last year, his WR flopped a beautiful pass in the end zone against Ohio State that should have been a TD. It was intercepted instead. That is Drew Allar's life. Guys he isn't sure he can rely on, and he wings it because he feels he has to. He'd never say that-and maybe I'm wrong. That's what I see though. Allar is at least one guy short of producing elite results at WR this season. Franklin wouldn't have to change the strategy is he had that. For now, he should change some things up. They need to get the WRs the ball more often-even if that means easy curls and down and outs all the way down the field.

Sure thing. A 3-4 scheme employs 3 down lineman (guys with their hands on the ground) and usually 4 linebackers "in the box- a rectangle that stretches as wide as the players on offense at the line of scrimmage (usually the five lineman and maybe a Tight End) and five yards into the teeth of the defense. A 4-2 alignment would be 4 down lineman and two linebackers. That one change makes it more difficult to "seal the edge"-which is both ends of where the lineman and tight ends line up. Another element of that scheme is when Lupoi employs that alignment, he drags the backside Defensive End (the one on the opposite side of where a running play is going) to the "middle of the box"-or the center of the Line of Scrimmage. Typically coaches replace that DE with a Linebacker to maintain the edge-but Lupoi/Lanning don't do that because they are trying to defend strong passing attacks ( so they replace a linebacker with a safety). Every smart offensive coordinator I've seen has attacked that scheme and how it is used. Chip Kelly basically dialed up three explosive running plays because he also pulls two lineman to the "backside" of the play-which opened up massive space downfield. Franklin did that once Lupoi changed to the 4-2 himself. Which is why I believe he is an elite coach because he recognized the change and immediately attacked it. To the degree Penn State slowed down their efforts on that final drive in regulation to keep Moore and Stein from breaking their hearts in regulation. GatOrlando, This is why I love your posts. You can't outsmart facts. I have to say my thoughts on Franklin are always an opinion because of the facts you posted above. What makes me believe Franklin is elite is the fact he hasn't come close to fielding an elite team like Ohio State and Michigan have regularly, but he always forces both teams to bring their absolute best or they lose. Over the last 5 years, if both those powers had made a mistake, Penn State was good enough and performed well enough to notch one of those top 5 / top 10 victories. Franklin has been better at this than when he was at Vandy. Nobody cares to evaluate Penn State on the talent merits. They never get NFL caliber WRs. You can't beat elite teams when you have pedestrian WRs. Penn State is usually third or forth in the Conference at the Line of Scrimmage. They are physical, but they don't take charge like the elite teams because they can't. Penn State does need to reach another gear. He started that when he employed the Max Protect scheme to get back into the game. He probably needs to assign OC Koltenicki to look at some of the schemes the Rams use and especially what Lin Kiffin employs at Ole Miss (the two squads are similar in that Ole Miss is a lot more physical at the LOS on offense than people think). I've said it before and I'll say it again...If I am HC, the first thing I'd assign my coordinators to do is scour every football scheme known to mankind. Then I'd have a 20 minute session of use everything in the world's playbook-we're playing street ball. The purpose of that is to get them out of their strategy mindset for an opponent. Sometimes you need to look at what they are doing and attack that specifically. Not after a 2 quarters, but right when you see it. They can't adjust as fast because now, they aren't drilling to adjust in that fashion. Coaches like to go with what they know-and are willing to lose with that scheme because at least they did it their way. I agree. Except my way is to make you think of a hundred plays to defend in one series-not the 15-20 you'll see the entire game. Chip Kelly once said "I have 187 plays in my playbook". I say I better see at least half of them every game. So GatOrlando, do you think Franklin will "hear what we're saying"? I think he's capable-even with the talent deficiency, because parity has arrived at the college lever. Any given Saturday will be a moniker soon. What do you think?

Alright DG, lets see what you got! Also - get ready for those keyboard warriors who are outraged Shedeur isnt getting the start. ESPN.comBrowns bench Flacco, turn to Gabriel as starterThe Browns are benching Joe Flacco and will turn to rookie Dillon Gabriel as their starting QB for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

I personally believe that Penn State fans think too highly of their program and have unrealistic expectations (perhaps based on past success). They do not recruit the talent that Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon do so they have to out scheme and out execute those teams. Franklin wins all of the games he is supposed to win, which is why they are always in the conversation for the playoffs. I think to win, Penn State needs to play like Stanford did under Harbaugh. I’m not sure that they can get the athletes required at the skill positions and the weather is pretty lousy later in the season to play a pass first style of offense. When they hit on a highly skilled QB they can compete for a national championship.

Riley is incompetent.....and certain folks at USC still don't see it......after 5 years they still think he can coach. So look forward to a win with USC for several more years. As they continue to dream about what was.....and may never be again. The admin at USC will require a new hire to be politically correct which usually means softer than ice cream.

Not surprised by your assessment (once again). Indiana IS better on both sides of the LOS. I agree with FishDuck here. That talent still doesn't measure up to what OBD have on the LOS. I also believe Lupoi's Secondary and Coverage Rules will be tested this game. I was pleasantly surprised Lupoi scrapped the Mint Defense (at least the formation) for most of the game in Happy Valley. I will repeat for teh Umpteenth time, I do not believe it is a good defense-unless of course you have NFL talent at your disposal (that's why it looked so awesome in Athens). I happen to believe Indiana will still struggle against the most physical teams. Not as much, but it will be a deciding factor in their games against the elite teams. However, Cignetti is an elite coach, and I believe he is a year away from solving some of the disadvantages (think Max Protect like Penn State used to get their first touchdown on Saturday). I also happen to believe Coach Lanning is growing as we speak. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't minimize the Mint scheme and start using all of the talent his team has on defense. They are much better in a 3-4 scheme, and the modified version of the 4-3 they have been using this year. I believe those two schemes will stop almost every offense they face ( I may explain why in a topic post later in the year if I have time). Now I look at it strategically, I can't explain the technical aspect of it like a coach does, but I'm seeing Lupoi using more creativity with his players-which is enhancing their strengths. What Lupoi and DL decide to do with Indiana's offense will tell me how "serious they are at winning a title". I put that in quotes because I'm a Hack. I've coached before, but nowhere near at their level and in an atmosphere where players are turning college football upside down in the NIL era. So I give many hats off to the progress I've seen, and the fact that Lanning is doing it the way he wants to and he is performing above lofty expectations. I'll say this. You Jon, surely bring info to the table that really sharpens my vision. Thanks my good friend.

Someone mentioned that under Riley new defensive coordinator’s defenses get softer the longer they coach under Riley. I wonder if it’s the overall culture that Riley creates. If he doesn’t let the players hit and bang in practice then they will not be prepared to play physical in games. USC’s current DC did an amazing job at UCLA, with less talent. His defense at USC looks soft as warm butter and no better than the last USC DC. It appears to be a cultural/mindset problem. (Not that I mind one bit, as an Oregon Ducks fan.)

Mental toughness! Don't sell it short; the special sauce that powers the Ducks. Oregon Ducks On SIWhy Oregon's 'Mental Toughness' Matters More Than Raw TalentThe No. 2 Oregon Ducks are loaded with youthful talent on their roster like redshirt sophomore quarterback Dante Moore, freshman wide receiver Dakorien Moore, a

According to ESPN Oregon - Penn State was not the game of the week 5. Really! What do you think? Oregon Ducks' 2OT bout with Penn State not ranked as ESPN's top game of Week 5

Anticipation! Can't wait. Love Ducks VS Them Autzen ZooFor Oregon fans, the wait for a new 'Ducks vs Them' reach...The waiting is the hardest part.

I think this post by a Penn State fan on the ON3 Penn State board summed it up well. To be honest, I think we are all a bit surprised by the emergence of young talent... I think the PSU coaches were just like me -- astounded by how good Oregon was. They lost most of their team from last year. They had true freshmen starting all over the place. Their QB had only started 5 games (Allar had started 43 games). By the third quarter it was obvious to me that Oregon's offensive line was better than ours, their defensive line was better than ours, their wide receivers and tight ends were better than ours, their DBs and linebackers were about as good as ours, and their QB was much better than our QB. Since Oregon is so young they will be even better when the play Ohio State for the Big10 championship. Luckily we don't play Oregon next year. I think the coaches were married to the idea that we ran the ball at will against them last year, so this year we should be able to easily run the ball. When that didn't happen the coaches were perplexed for 3 quarters and didn't adjust the game plan. However, I don't see any mention of them seeing us as rivals, if anything James Franklin is their "rival" right now...

It appears to me to be an issue of coaching. The coaches at Oregon seem to be able to get more out of players. That's pretty straight forward. Our coaches are amazing! They have done it time after time. We are very fortunate to have Coach Lanning; a Natty is in our future. You just gotta believe.

My best friend, who is a Notre Dame grad, has the deepest contempt for USC. This staid retired Air Force Colonel gets absolutely profane when referring to Trojan football. In a recent phone conversation, I asked him if he will miss the ND-USC annual rivalry game going away after this year. His reply was "Hell yes, I relish the chance to blister their f----- rear-ends annually and would even enjoy the opportunity for an encore in the playoffs or a bowl should that come to pass." He hopes Lincoln Riley can remain at SC and keep them mediocre forever.

The man has won everywhere he has coached. In 14 years of being a head coach, he has never had a losing season. His father, Frank Cignetti, Sr., coached at Indiana University, Pennsylvania (IUP), and West Virginia, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Curt was a valued assistant for Nick Saban at Bama. He took a huge pay cut when he left Bama to coach IUP. As he has said, he made a bet on himself, which turned into an $8 million a year deal at Indiana. He took the 'losingest program' in CFB to the PO in 2024, and has the Hoosiers in the PO hunt in 2025. Many experts predicted his team would regress this season. I believed and so opined that this Indiana team could be this season's Indiana. It looks like this team is better than last season's PO team. It is better on both LOS. As a P4 head coach, Cignetti has two losses. On the road against Natty champ Ohio State, and on the road at Natty runner-up Notre Dame; 0-2 against two top 10 opponents. Only two B1G coaches have winning records against top 25 opponents: Danno and Ryan Day. Many of Dan Lanning's and Ryan Day's B1G wins have come against teams that finished .500 or lower. A program like James Madison, now a Sun Belt member, will have many losses against P4 teams out of conference (OOC), as will the other conference members. When Cignetti coached JMU before it moved up to the FBS, he defeated many FCS top 25 opponents. His teams with similar financial resources defeat the majority of teams with similar resources. Cignetti was drilled last season and this season for playing a featherweight OOC schedule. In Michigan's 2023 champ season, it played junk OOC, ditto Ohio State last season, and Penn State this season. After the loss at Ohio State, Texas posted home wins over San Jose State, UTEP, and FCS opponent Sam Houston State. Ole Miss has defeated Georgia State and Tulane OOC, plays Wazzu this Saturday, and plays The Citadel in the penultimate week of the regular season. As Cig said, he's only following the SEC OOC model. Comparative scores are deceptive. Nevertheless, last season, Indiana defeated a team that beat Alabama and blew out a Nebraska team that Ohio State struggled to defeat in Columbus. Do I think Indiana will defeat Oregon in Autzen? No. But OBD could struggle to cover the -10.5 spread. I think Indiana will hang with OBD into the 2nd half. I do not doubt that Dan Lanning is taking next Saturday's game seriously. This could be the only other ranked opponent OBD plays the rest of the regular season. Indiana will show up with something to prove from Cig on down. Fired up to hand OBD its first regular-season Big Ten loss. On 10/11/25, there will be more than a couple of future NFL players across the LOS, possibly QB'd by a 1st round draft pick. However 😁, Hose Down the Hoosiers! Put Out That Cig!

Watching Bear chew up and spit out the Spoiled Children O-Line will be a sight that will warm my heart. Centuries ago, when I was a Berkeley undergrad, we would wave $1 bills across Memorial Stadium at the U$C fans while they waved $100 bills back at us. So, yeah, it's personal.