BuckDuck

The home playoff game is the embodiment of what college football should be. The environment and traditions were on full display and really felt like it set the tone for navigating the rest of the playoff. Most importantly, it gets those dang Southern teams to finally come up North for the postseason instead of every team North of Atlanta having to play a pseudo-away game every year. Columbus gets cold, as I am sure Eugene does as well. I personally think they should either make the first two rounds home games (Especially if you are the number 1 overall seed) and maybe look into hosting some of these games in northern arenas! I.E. Indianapolis or Minneapolis. Even with extended time off due to the bye playing in front of a home crowd should help shake off any rust. Autzen is LOUD and the top seeds should get an opportunity to play in front of their fans. Whatever the solution, something needs to change. There is no justifiable reason the number 1 overall seed should have the hardest path to the Championship out of all top 4 seeds.

@DrJacksPlaidPants I agree. ND offense does not have a ton of explosiveness. QB play is adequate and efficient. Not game changing like Gabriel or Ward. WR rooms isn’t the greatest but they have a good O-Line and RB. If they can keep it close their defense can be a game changer. Force a lot of TOs. Play mistake free football (or as few as possible) and OSU wins but let them stick around and anything could happen. Penn State and ND is a fun matchup. They are very similar teams in my opinion. Serviceable offenses and great defenses and special teams. I foresee a low scoring slug fest in that matchup.

ND concerns me more than anyone left in the field. That defense played fast and violent. They have won by an average of about 28 points since their loss to NIU. Do not underestimate the Irish this year!

@PittDuck Well hopefully we never add Oklahoma State so we don’t have osu3!

@30Duck Great question. Jeremiah Smith is a generational talent. OSU has had great talent at WR over the years but Smith is certainly setting the bar. Harrison, Smith-Njigba, Olave, Wilson. None of them started as a true freshman. He is a rare combination of speed, size, and strength. I noticed in the Tennessee game just how much bigger he is than most DBs. Currently on pace to shatter all OSU receiving records even if he only plays 3 years (which is highly likely). As for his areas of improvement that is harder to say. He already does so much well and at a high level. His instinct for attacking the ball, his vision in space, and finding the soft spot in the defense seems very refined for true freshman. Playing at a level I would expect to see out of a Junior or Senior. I think where he stands to improve the most is physical strength, and some of the technical route running skills that it takes to get better separation when lined up on the edge without initialing too much contact with the DB. He is already very strong and has used it consistently throughout the year but still has size he can add to his frame. He also makes his biggest plays when lined up in the slot so will need to improve his routes when pressed on the edge. All that said, he does those things well already. But that is me being extra picky and I agree he is probably NFL ready now.

@30Duck happy to be here and also happy to answer any OSU perspectives you have questions about! Appreciate the warm welcome. I love your perspectives and will always be respectful and objective. I get rivalries though. That’s why I don’t belong to a Xichigan board. Just know I will be quacking anytime you play TTUN. I foresee a competitive and mostly friendly rivalry for many years. I will say Oregon got absolutely hosed with the bracket. Hardest path of any team that got a bye regardless of the outcome previous games. Oregon will be back next year. They will reload. Lanning is an elite recruiter and amazing in the portal. Hopefully as a conference we continue to spank the SEC.

Hello Ducks, I am new to the forum and I am an Ohio State fan but have followed and enjoyed watching the Ducks since the Chip Kelly days. I also follow many other forums as I am a college football junkie. This morning as I was scrolling through OSU message boards I saw a post by a Ducks fan that really built on the sportsmanship and class I witnessed by the Ducks coaches, players, and fans. Especially Tez and Coach Lanning. I want to say the Ducks made an immediate and positive impact on the B1G and I am thrilled you are in the best conference in the country. I am super excited for many more years of Oregon and Ohio State matchups and my own heartbreaks that will undoubtedly come with it. Congrats and on a great season and for winning the B1G crown. Oregon will be a force for years to come and I can’t wait to see it. P.S. You all show more class than most OSU fans and Tennessee for sure (I checked) -Alex