kirklandduck

Oregon's fanbase, like many other passionate fanbases, can often be very fickle...swinging from one way to another at a moment's notice. Should we question some of MC's choices? Sure. Is the on-field play inconsistent this season? No doubt. Should we completely dismiss and dump MC? Absolutely not. We all had suspicions on where Oregon's strengths and weaknesses lay before the season started. A good number of us have accurately surmised that this season's team had a ceiling of perhaps the Rose Bowl (myself being one of them). Of course peoples' hopes and expectations rose with the win over tOSU but that didn't change the makeup of the roster or coaches. When you take a step back and look at the season from a 10,000 foot view this is what you should honestly see so far, a 9-2 record at this point despite: - A mediocre QB - A new DC and defensive scheme (one could also argue the offensive scheme is also somewhat new given the circumstances and lack of time last season) - Season-ending injuries to a large number of critical players (as well as significant injuries times for other critical players) - A very young roster Oregon could still end the season with an 11-2 record, a Pac12 championship, and a trip to the Rose Bowl. That's still pretty good in my book and still worthy of high end recruits wanting to be part of something that's on cusp of the CFP.

It's a good reminder that no matter how you feel about Oregon's season, it's a great deal better than all those Power 5 programs right now that are in chaos. Taking a step back to look at the bigger picture, MC has done an admirable job guiding the Ducks to 9-2 so far with the multitude of injuries, mediocre QB play, and one of the youngest rosters in the nation.

Still not chump change. Plus how many of us were thinking Oregon would be in the CFP this season? I personally had predicted a Rose Bowl as the ceiling for the team and that was back before losing so many players to injury. As for AB, we all knew what he was after a couple games. The fact that they're 9-2 at this point with all the adversity they've faced this season counts as a success in my book.

Trying to win the Pac12 championship and get into a NY6 bowl isn't just a participation trophy.

Preparation does take a hit when injuries pile up. That being said, my original point to the first poster was that you can't discount the effect of injuries when it comes to the number the Oregon has suffered this season. Case in point, we're starting Jordan Happle with a club on his arm because there's no one else.

Of course not. But this isn't just on the QB, Oregon played terribly in just about every single aspect.

You absolutely have to account for injuries. Go back to the roster and count the number of starters that are out now or for the year. Now even Verone McKinley was knocked out of the game. It doesn't matter how well you recruit, Oregon's had an absurd number of injuries this year to critical guys on both 1st and 2nd string.

It also goes both ways though, the WRs need to catch the good passes. Spencer Webb should have had that.

The receivers are starting to show their frustration with him, I can't say I blame them. He tossed an easy one to Devon Williams' feet on one play then threw it behind Troy Franklin almost immediately after. AB really needs to take a breath and get it together.

You'd think DeRyeuter would have learned by now. Why doesn't he bring the LBs closer in during those situations?

The defense is showing a stunning inability to make a stop on 3rd down.

Spotting the other team 4 tds isn't a good game plan. Even when the offense runs well it's not a fast high scoring one, plus the defense is having all kinds of issues stopping Utah. I'm not expecting an optimistic outcome at this point...

If I were Cristobal I'd be tearing into Moorhead and DeRyeuter in the locker room right now.

Un-freaking-believable. Complete incompetence in every aspect by Oregon.

The offense is completely and utterly disjointed right now.

There's a reason why George Moore wasn't playing much his first few years. He's big but not really that talented.

I don't see any adjustments being made by either coordinator. They're not earning their paychecks today.

What were the right guard and right tackle doing? They let that guy right through into the backfield!

The injuries in the secondary are finally taking their toll. I mean come on, we're starting Jordan Happle with a freaking club on his hand. Losses to the WR group aren't helping. Having Jaylon Redd and JJIII would help immensely right now.

I think Whittingham will plan for this as well. However AB has shown that he can absolutely pass when he needs to (UCLA and Colorado)...I think what'll happen is that Oregon will pass around 175-200 yards, which is just enough to open up the run game for another 200 on the ground. Edit: While I respect Whittingham's ability to plan, Utah is still a middling team when it comes to rush defense. They just don't have the people for it this year to be really good in that regard.

Certainly size does matter in the trenches but so does technique and mobility. Their left and right tackles are huge but I surmise very slow, that makes it open season on the QB when KT lines up opposite either one of them.

That's just nuts but then again the market is dictating the demand for HCs right now. Is he worth it? That remains to be seen but there's both pros and cons to that contract. The pressure on him will be immense to keep MSU a top 5 team and CFP contender for most of those 10 years. If he has consecutive underperforming years he might just get the boot.

If Ty Thompson earns the starting nod next season expect one of the two to transfer.

It's a shame he couldn't be patient for one more season. Silver lining is that that opens up more opportunities for Troy Franklin, Devon Williams, and Donte Thornton.

I remember just a couple days later a Taiwanese news outlet released an animated video describing the events of that game. It was both weird and hilarious. I don't think they got Joe Walker's likeness quite right lol