WTD25

In a twist, I actually prefer not having game break highlights since I’m recording and watching later. I try to avoid seeing scores so I can imitate watching live. But I agree with you about Gus; he yells a bit too much for my liking. I really like Joel Klatt.

It feels like Christmas. College football is truly the best time of the year. General thoughts for discussion, in no particular order: - Felt good to pummel a team that should be pummeled. Relative to Idaho last year, I like where the OL is at to start the year. - Dante Moore looked great! I realize the competition level of M St., but at least he looked as good as he should have. - I believe Dante Moore has the best arm talent I’ve seen at Oregon. Not to be confused with he’s the best QB Oregon has ever had; only time and more games will determine that. But he can make every throw, it looks effortless, and he has a rocket arm that also makes a pillow-soft, catchable ball. Excited to see him develop. - Amari Washington jumped out on nearly every defensive play. What a joy to see. - I loved the “look” (height / size) of our cornerbacks. Should be able to go toe-to-toe with the athletic receivers they’ll face. - Any concern about the Ducks’ secondary given M St. only had one receiving weapon that they couldn't stop? Granted it didn’t result in a lot of scoring, but I expected an adjustment. - What an awesome, refreshing performance by the Ducks. Clean and efficient play all game on both sides of the ball, regardless of the competition level. - How wonderful to see Bama go down. I’m still flummoxed as to why DeBoer is struggling there. - Watching College Game Day was a real treat. I didn’t grow up with cable, so I rarely watched CGD, but the tributes to Lee Corso, and the old footage, was very nostalgic and enjoyable to watch. - Darn you Texas. I hate tosu with all my heart, and you let me down. - GO DUCKS!!!! Would love your response to some of the comments, or your observations about the game / day of football.

Dante has the best arm talent I’ve ever seen at Oregon. Time will tell if he reaches the “best Oregon QB”, but arm talent, yes.

To be expected given the level of competition, but Dante met/exceeded all my expectations.

I’m as happy as can be seeing Bama lose, but I’m surprised DeBoer is struggling so much there.

I LOVE the size/height in the secondary. Finally looks like a legit group.

Dante Moore’s arm is unreal!!

As usual, tosu’s trenches look bigger and stronger than everyone else.

Oregon 51-10 2 TO's 4 Sacks 280 Passing Yards

Great article @Darren Perkins I’ve thought a lot about your point #1, and I agree with you. The defense is DL’s burden to make sure it’s in peak form. I’m really excited to see what Dante Moore will do. I’d make the argument he has the best arm talent I’ve seen at Oregon, so the potential is sky high.

It’s a trap game for Mari Cristbal for sure!!

Excellent point here. Sadly, the 2024 run game was worse than just 2023. Between 2007 and 2024 . . . 2024 run game had the lowest YPG and YPA. I'm with you on this one; hoping the OL and run game fair much better this year.

Dante Moore!!

Not sure there's enough man-explaining power to mansplain this.

@Mike West - Great article, thank you! All of your article, and many of the comments here, focus on Lupoi being the sole steward of the defense. Am I being too much of a stickler if I link Dan Lanning to the defense as much as Lupoi? Seems like he should have the defense humming, regardless of DC, given his background, no? Would be interesting to know how involved Dan Lanning is in the defense. Then I remind myself to put things in perspective that I can't expect OBD to thoroughly dominate every single team on both sides of the ball. Other teams have excellent coaching and talent and resources, too. The spoiled fan is coming out in me, that I want perfection against . . . the best teams in college football. Ha, that's not fair Either way, I'm very excited about this season, and have high hopes for both offense and defense.

I'm glad you covered the most important points so that I (or anyone else) did not have to tread through those waters. Mostly annoyed that this will be a primary topic of some sports shows/podcasts I enjoy listening to. It will last as long as Swift decides it will last. Hope it lasts, but don't think it will.

My first thought - if this ends up being true - is that it's a genius move. Now he'll be able to hear the audible groans and people reflexively shouting "NO!!!" at every one of his poor gameplan/game management decisions. The crowd won't be able to drown out the immediate feedback he needs.

Great article! Hoping to see this defense take on DL's personality, and start to resemble those defenses he coached at Georgia.

One of my favorite collaborations: Bussin' With the Boys and Josh Pate. If you recall from the win against tosu at Autzen, Dan Lanning immediately went berserk and body slammed into two guys . . . it was the guys from Bussin' With the Boys. My favorite part was Josh Pate saying that he went to Oregon's practice recently, and he said: "I got no doubt about Dante Moore". (see 52 minute mark) I try not to get my hopes up too much, but I'm hearing this from other national sports folks once they observe an Oregon practice.

Agreed . . . also think it would be great in the weight room.

Can't wait for lighting again! (visions of LMJ are now running through my mind)

Totally agree that DL is a master motivator, and I like his dynamic themes. I guess I envisioned more a "walk in the stadium and see 'Win The Day' painted in the tunnels and other areas" I think it's a great, unchanging core value or mission statement for sports/university.

No problem with "Double Down". I just really like WTD for an overall Team/Oregon motto; painted all over stadium/facilities as a sort of permanent, unchanging motto.

Well said! They will diminish the Ducks as "gimmicky", but they never want to play.

My handle might give away my bias, but I love the "Win The Day" team motto. IMO, no motto since has lived up to WTD: Taggart - "Do Something" . . . ugh, how depressing and uninspiring Mari Cristobal - "Physicality"? OR "Underperform Compared to The Talent We Have, Scowl, and Make Oregon's Offensive Reputation Disappear" Dan Lanning (must tread lightly here because I love DL) - "We're Mighty Different"? OR "Double Down" . . . meh, not bad, not good. Chip Kelly did not take/use the WTD motto with him when he left Oregon. I believe it belongs to Oregon. Let's bring it back. What say you?