As we all know, football is a game of inches, but those inches are not always easily earned. I think Dan Lanning can take us all the way, but not with some changes made. This year we excelled when we should've, but fell flat when it was needed. I was fairly pleased with the first Washington loss, played hard and just made some bad play-calls on key 3rd/4th downs. Second loss, did the same but oline and d-line got dominated and we fell short again. Washington's offense dialed it up when they needed too on key downs, bringing out a variety of different plays and looks and they took it to us.
We seemed to be running all the same old schemes and plays we had ran all year nothing seemed new or special (could've missed some). 3rd and 4th down play calls were horrible, checking it down and throwing completions in front of the sticks doesn't always work out, especially when playing similar talent. Also, with a qb as experienced and talented as Nix, WHY were we doing that?
I haven't commented on her for years, but I've said this before, we will not win a natty without playing Oregon football. To me, Oregon football is getting the most out of your talent through being one of the most innovative, creative offenses in the league. Now that we have more talent on the offensive side, I feel as if we are shifting away from that? Of course we will most likely win the games where we absolutely have more talent, but in the ones where it was maybe even just even? We fell short. Now, Lanning is doing great on the recruiting trail but I'd be surprised to see us consistently pass or reach the usual top 3 (tOSU, Bama, Georgia), that's why I think we must make it up in other ways. Please everyone tell me your thoughts on this!! I actually missed not seeing any pistol this year!!
Something to think about: Every head coach to leave Oregon in the last 15 years has never replicated or gotten close to the success they reached while in the program. Does this mean our program makes coaches look better than they are? If so, how do we really know Dan Lanning is a good coach? (I still do believe he is) We continue to move in the right direction, securing better talent on the d-line and elsewhere. I'd like to see us effectively develop Qbs as well, we'll see how Dante Moore works out.