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Something is off for sure. I have my own theory of how to fix some things but I'll save that for my Monday article. I do think it comes down in part to the offensive line and not pairing early game plays with getting the offensive line settled. The line did better as the game wore on and leant on the lien's strengths. Pass protection is certainly a worry especially at the tackle position as both tackles were retting worked early on against Wisconsin. They were consistently out worked against Indiana and struggled at times against Penn State, though against Penn the refs really didn't throw many flags where they have been more flag happy in the other two games. I want to see the coaches work on some strategies to settle the offense early on in the game. That might also include rolling Moore out of the pocket more, he did a lot of it against Penn State to avoid their good edge rushers. (Yes, Penn State still has good edge rushers who are getting drafted).

Dont the QBs have earpieces these days? Maybe its the play callers that are confused?

Only championship caliber teams...which is kind of the point. Preseason the narrative seemed to be that Novosad was pushing Moore and really competing for the QB1 role. If that was truly the case I would expect him to be able to step in and potentially win a big game against a top opponent. The new narrative is that Brock earned the playing time at practice. So does that mean that Novosad isn't really the QB1-b that we assumed he was? Or is that not the full story and there is more going on? I personally think it's the latter.

Absolutely. Need time for the vertical passing route to develop AND time for Moore to see it. Against teams with good defensive lines we are seeing Moore's eyes get dragged down and he isn't looking at the deeper routes. Establishing the run will force the defense to back off a little bit and give the vertical passing game time.

Charles, I was very suprised that the Ducks held at #6. Expected a,couple of teams to jump them. Glad they didn't..... I feel that Iowa, SC and udub would beat the 5 BIG 12 teams that are ranked. Or at least split with them. The upper middle section of the BIG is not getting a great deal of respect. Not that it matters in the toilet bowls. However, it does for a CFP bound team to have wins over ranked opponents. GO DUCKS......

Oregon should be one of them with the amount of NIL and nationally ranked recruiting classes.

Brock Thomas was a 3* walk on out of Sheldon High School. Justin Herbert would have been a 3* walk on Sheldon High School if Oregon had not offered him a scholarship at almost the last minute. I don't think we should think of Brock as "just a walk on". I think we should look at him as a very talented young QB that is on the rise and capable of leading this team.

We are not even sure if Oregon’s #1 QB can win a game against a “top-tier opponent.” LOL. I don’t know if Northwestern or Montana State is Oregon’s best win to date.

Two thoughts: Perhaps Stein does not trust our tackles to provide enough protection for the additional time needed to throw downfield. They struggled at times yesterday. Geoff Schwarz asserted after the Indiana game that a more effective running game would enable downfield passing by forcing the opponent's defensive linemen to concentrate on the run and possibly encouraging their safeties to move closer to the line of scrimmage to provide run support. Both of these reactions would facilitate play action downfield passing.

Generous but I’ll take it.

How many teams can expect their backup QB to win a game against a top-tier opponent?

As long as we keep winning...even if ugly? On3Coaches Poll Top 25: College Football Rankings released a....

My Duck-Buddies...I used to complain about how Oregon was always screwed and we got no respect. Well...I think we may have more respect than deserved at this moment... On3AP Poll Top 25: College Football Rankings see shake up af....

I don't know what the reason is, because Stein did it a TON at UTSA in the year before he joined us. I agree with you, as we need to stretch the defense and Moore seems to look for the dump-off valve primarily.

FWIW, my impression: Novo was warming up and looked to be entering the game. But then his last warm-up throw was a bit awkward....TV goes to timeout and comes back with Thomas lined up behind center.

Specific odds will shift as the game day approaches, but here are the general lines being offered by sports books. Spread -2 Ducks Money line Ducks -135 Hawkeyes +115 Total points (over/under) 46.5

Deep shots down field may include some balls that are 50-50 or that you just expect your receivers to go up and make the play. Dakorien Moore’s high school highlights are filled with getting those balls. Even Wisconsin had one of those against us. Even an incompletion in those instances can still soften a defense. Am I missing why we are not doing this at least a couple times a game?

Coach DL was asked the question in a interview as to why Novosad and Moga did not get playing time and Brock did? DL said that you earn your way onto the field by your effort and performance in practice. And Brock earned the playing time. Says it all right there! Personally there is no mystery here. Brock beat the other QB's out for playing time. No matter our expectations of any of these QB's, they are not performing well enough to beat out Brock. The best players who earn it play in the games. 4 RB's are watching 2 freshman getting the snaps. Let's hope Brock keeps improving each week. He played well in some monsoon conditions. Handled some bad snaps and did not turn the ball over. Need better than that from the back-ups moving forward to win if starters go down. Go Ducks......

I think Novosad will enter the portal.

I didn’t see it but apparently Novosad was warming up and everyone expected him to go in. Then, BT came onto the field instead.

I really don't know football well at all but is it possible Moore is easily confused by certain defenses and has no ability to look downfield during those times? Like I said I have no clue about football beyond I hate the bubble screen with a passion.

I stated this in another thread, but this is also a good place for it. Oregon had 9 penalties and four of them came at bad times. Two penalties moved the offense out from inside the 10 yard line and one killed a 2nd and 2 from the Wisconsin 34. The 4th penalty wiped a TD off the scoreboard.

Brock has been a fun story, and he’s done what has been asked of him. I’m rooting for him. That said, I do have concerns if he’s the legit #2 option and OBD ends up needing him to come in and win a game against a top-tier opponent. I fully believe that he’s moved ahead of Moga. But it’s more difficult for me to believe that he’s truly a better option than Novosad. Is Novosad not as good as we generally think? Or is this really about something else such as a potential medical redshirt or Dan not wanting scouting film on his next starter? Yes, Brock went 4/4 and led the team admirably yesterday, and in very poor conditions. But if I’m being honest I feel like they have to really back down the offense for Brock, and that circus-catch by Moore really should have been a pick. I tend to think that if OBD were behind, or playing a more dangerous team, we would see Novosad enter the game. I’m guessing we didn’t see him yesterday because Dan trusted that the defense would hold against an inept Wisconsin offense. I’d be curious to hear thoughts on this.

Thomas also threw a ball that looked like a devastating interception except it slipped through the defender's hands and landed in the hands of Dakorien Moore.

When I grow up, I want to be Geonorris Wilson!