ABNMoose

I am trying to temper my feelings after watching the first two games, but i think it is obvious that now that the players are all CDL products, and the culture he had built in UGA is now in full swing in Eugene. The players all seem to be giving everything and more that CDL is asking for. There was no let off until CDL said to. Its subtle, it probably doesn't look much different to most non-OBD fans, but its there. Coupled with being so close last year, this years motivation is easy to come by. It gives me chills watching how prepared, how in tune, and just how hard the players are playing for each other. Having been a fan and gone to games since the early-mid Eighties...its something to see.

I would think it is going to be as potent as last year. It might not look the same though. I seem to recall some other teams who had a dominating TE that would wreak havoc on opposing defenses. (GA for one). Couple that with one or two outstanding WR and a couple running backs, I see no issues. Is the defense going to be able to match the offense potential?

Just in case, everyone knows there is a Hockey team at the club level for the Ducks. When I came back for a visit a couple years ago, I was able to attend on of the games downtown at the rink. They are trying to grow the sport for the university, and would be fantastic to see them in the frozen four in a couple years, or even facing off with osu2 and michigan. The sweaters consistently win voting contests for best looking too.

After growing up just outside Eugene but then leaving and living a bunch of different places, now in the Midwest, I am stoked for BIG TEN seasons. I know I won't be the ONLY duck fan in the stands for many sports. Just checked tickets for the Iowa baseball series. 6 bucks a game.

I can see Chip trying to explain to the team how it will be, but, until you're in it, and having your teeth rattling, it's hard to understand. Pretty arrogant to say "Autzen will be a non-factor"

I am loving the anguish being shown on their message boards, and it reminds me that Fuskies are delusional: "It's so ironic that by finally making the CFP championship game and moving to the Big 10 the UW job has moved from a top 25 job nationally to a borderline top 10; it just so happens at the same time a top 5 job just opened up. Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, Georgia, USC are probably the only jobs that are clearly at a higher level than UW, but I think we're now in the next tier with Penn State, the Florida schools, Oregon, Clemson, and probably a few more that I've missed. UW is closer to the top of the pyramid than it's been since Don James, but as long as we're not at the top there will always be bigger opportunities elsewhere."

Seriously, how long would mari NO O last at bama? 2 years?

I am loving the panic from UW...

Found this on the bama message board... Dan's announcement video that everyone should see!

one of the first things to note about the running back is his size. Harris stands at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, and runs with a physicality that many Duck fans have come to expect from the backfield. Something to like about this for sure!

To me, this is where he might have gotten hurt, possibly a strain in the stomach muscles, maybe strained some rib cartilage? which would hurt to throw with, trying to do anything really physical. You can see him grab his stomach later after a blitz and taking a helmet in the mid-section. I think penix is going to be gun shy from the get-go, and the defense is/should be planning on hitting him as much as possible. Its part of football.

I think one thing that is not being talked about is the fact that UW and UO have essentially played the same teams, yet OBD can roll 2 and 3 deep without much drop off in terms of talent/effectiveness. UW boards are talking about how beat up they are, how the "gauntlet" has worn them out. OBD has been punishing other teams, yet our lines are healthy, our players are fired up, the team is overall the same personnel as the beginning of the year. Something is vastly different between the two teams, and it goes much deeper than the head coach, and the QBs.

Since I am sadistic to my feelings, I like reading the opponents blogs, message boards, etc. to see how they feel about us. I found this write up very interesting: "From a personnel and scheme perspective, not much has changed. In Oregon’s first five FBS games of the season, including the UW game, they averaged 42 points per game, and oddly enough have averaged exactly 42 points per game in their six matchups since then. This has been against a harder schedule, however - the likes of Hawaii, Stanford, and Colorado have been replaced with teams like Utah and Oregon State. In those six games, Oregon has had margins of victory of 14, 29, 44, 9, 36 and 24 points. The Huskies also beat those same six teams (WSU, Utah, Cal, USC, ASU, OSU), but managed a double-digit victory in just two of them. Oregon is simply eviscerating their competition." (emphasis mine) Their polling is very interesting as well:

Because i like seeing what the fuskies think, here are some choice message board inputs "Anyone else nervous about the refs on Friday and in Vegas? A lot of money on Oregon and could be some weird calls." "Dawgs are beat up I just can’t see another win, Oregon is playing at their Highest level." "Oregon right now is better than any of the last 4 teams we've played in our season ending "gauntlet." Probably a lot better." "Can this team beat Oregon? Definitely not the team we've seen since the first OR game. They will need to completely transform or it's gonna be a long night in LV." "Washington has been lucky at times (since the Oregon game). Oregon is, by far, the better team at this point. They have more talent, play with more enthusiasm (by far), and they will have revenge on their minds this upcoming Friday."

I do believe i am well qualified to chime in on this, as my wife is a huge LSU fan, and I have a daughter and son in law whom both attended LSU and live in Baton Rouge. I grew up in Eugene. Both QBs are having amazing years. If Daniels had an even decent defense helping him out, he would be a clear-cut choice, IMO. However, if he had a defense to help him, would his numbers still be so high since he would not be carrying to load himself? Bo has a defense, has playmakers, and yet still has Heisman numbers. Whosever name is called on the day it is awarded, will have earned it. No heartburn with either choice, but of course, I would love to see another statue at UO.