David Marsh

Shhhh! Charles don't tell people about our secrets! But in all reality Oregon has so much upside right now. In the Ducks vs Them episode there is a line from the coaches planning meaning that just gave me chills from Lanning. Something to the effect of... We're going to do something no one else has done, we're going over the top of their defense. I think that absolutely shocked Ohio State more than anything Oregon did offensively. We challenged them in ways they haven't been challenged this season and we did it before half time. After the half we still took some shots and we made better half time adjustments I'd argue. All of Ohio State's running was really in the first half... even though they weren't playing from behind (one point is not behind) they abandoned the run and played far more desperate. Also... I'd just like to say on that last play of the game. Let's put the second to last play with the intentional penalty aside for a moment... but the Ducks defense was brilliant on that last snap. They took away any quick passing plays and let Howard run. Running is slower than passing and with only 6 seconds on the clock there was only time for a very very quick passing play to get a chance at a field goal. Howard running the ball took too long to get enough yards for decent range. Beyond that if Howard threw the ball away that would have taken too long for the ball to sail out of bounds. If Howard threw the ball at the ground at that point that would be intentional grounding and wouldn't have helped the field goal position and would have led to a clock run off which would have ended the game. The Duck defense on the last play of the game didn't give the Buckeyes any real choices. Now, I'm sure if anyone watches the film in slow motion they might find a receiver open for a second but Howard is human and can't see everything all at once. The Ducks out played and out coached the Buckeyes.

In the more extreme case of a team having no timeouts and not enough time left in the game to allow the play clock to expire, I think the only remedy would be for a savvy QB to quickly count the extra defender and spike the ball, which would be pretty difficult. So, maybe the existing rules don't cover all situations; but, at least for the Oregon/Ohio State game, tOSU with a timeout, actually apparently had an already in the rules counter. Absolutely and it took some guts on Lanning to make his play call. The thing is that he probably won't be using that particular strategy for some time. The circumstances to make it worth while are rather rare and beyond that everyone is going to keep a close eye on him.

Some validation finally!!!! Also Ari says that the refs missed an interception.

This is absolutely situational. It was only because Ohio State was outside of comfortable field goal range... it was possible the odds weren't great.. that trading five yards for 4-5 seconds is worth it. And it's only worth it because reasonably getting a decent yardage pass off in 5-6 seconds and then calling a time out for a long field goal is darn tricky. In the Ducks vs Them for this game (a different thread) you can hear Lanning say that they need 10 yards. So his math was give them 5 and burn some clock... Credit where credit is due because that Oregon coverage on that last play was solid because Howard had no where to throw the ball. He ran... which the Ducks were kinda fine with because running is slower than passing.

Looking at USC's schedule I think Nebraska can beat them and Notre Dame. I think Washington could beat them too since it is as Washington and the Huskies play better in the confines of their home stadium. I also think Jedd Fisch is a more well rounded coach than Lincoln Riley. Though I think this game is a toss up. So that's 2-3 more losses right there.

Settle in it's 18 minutes long and worth every minute of it. Also... that post game speech tells you everything about Lanning's program.

I swear I've seen the 12 man in the field penalty work like an off sides penalty more often than not. The refs let the play go through and the offense chooses if they want to take the five yards or decline and take the bigger play. Offsides usually doesn't come with a whistle unless there is some significant presnap contact. 12 man on the field doesn't usually illicit a whistle. It got a whistle here because there were 10 seconds on the clock. I could be wrong but again... I want to say that 12 man on the field doesn't outright stop play. I'm fine if they want to change the rules in the office season but not during the season.

What I saw was that the Ducks still have quite a ways to go to teach their ceiling. We aren't anywhere close to reaching it. I would love to see some more pressure on the QB but Ohio State also has a good offensive line. Next round we're going to need to get Howard on the ground.

The truth of the matter is that USC and Oklahoma, both instigators in the college football conference realignment, weren't ready for their new conferences. If Riley had stayed at Oklahoma the Sooners would still be floundering in SEC play, though they'd be scoring more points but probably not playing defense. Oklahoma and USC were better in their smaller fishbowls of the Big 12 and Pac-12 respectively. I think USC would be a solid No.2 team this year in the Old Pac-12. Oklahoma would probably be bowl eligible at least in the Old Big 12.

Pete Carroll maybe ... it feels like he is almost positioning himself for a return. But I don't think that would be a good hire. The recruiting requirements today are far more strenuous than they used to be. It's a younger man's game in that regard. Also USC doesn't have as much of a recruiting advantage when everyone is allowed to pay players.

Every year there is talk about a Heisman candidate needing a Heisman moment. A moment where they lift their team over their opponent and lead their team to victory. Gabriel had one of those games and moments... I think Gabriel's Heisman moment was pulling the ball and running for a 20-something yard touchdown against Ohio State and giving Oregon the lead back. Ashton Jeanty and Boise State are playing in a league that doesn't have any real competition for them. He's putting up incredible stats but in the one game against what is considered to be a good team, Oregon, Jeanty was bottled up for long portions of the game and they came up short. I guess his Heisman moment came with his long touchdown run against Oregon... but Boise didn't close that game out. And if Oregon and Boise State were to meet again today... I think the game gets lopsided real fast. This Oregon team is just growing at an exponential rate right now. The Heisman has been dominated by SEC athletes lately as well. That southern voting block for Heisman voters want to protect the SEC Heisman candidates and they vote very well together. They aren't giving it to a Mountain West kid.

Lincoln Riley is a Perfect Fit for USC and That’s Their Problem |... FISHDUCK.COM It has been absolutely delightful as Duck fans to watch USC’s problems, not only this year but over more than a decade at this... I love USC tears... they just make me so happy. Especially when you think they would have LOST THEIR MINDS if the AD hired Dan Lanning. I wonder who they hire next for the LA job... and who'll be dumb enough to take it.

If you want to play college football forever... just be named "Cam" at this point.

Only because Ohio State lost is this even being considered an issue. If Ohio State won and did what Lanning did it would just be called brilliant coaching and then maybe MAYBE discussed in the off season. Let the rule stand for this season... it may only come up a once or twice more this season and change it in the off season. Lanning played in the rules and used the rules to benefit him. It's call brilliant gamesmanship. Applaud him for it this season and change the rule for next season.

Which is also why we didn't see Ohio State do.all that much against us well.

Oregon had two penalties for 20 yards. One was the bad Holden penalty the other was intentional. I don't have so much of a problem with the 4th and goal attempt that failed.... It was well designed and Tez was wide open. Gabriel just didn't see him. But the 40isn yard field goal miss should have been a hit. This team has so much growth still. And if Lanning continues to push this team and we see them take on the near perfect execution we had last year with that killer instinct. Then Ohio State may be in for a rematch they don't want to have. Neutral field or not. I think our secondary locked down those wide receivers with the magic hands as good as they could have... Just needed to get more pressure on the QB and with Burch and additional growth I think we get that. Ohio State will get a bit better. But I think they executed and fulfilled their game plan almost as good as could have been expected. Looking at how they moved the ball on offense they were very consistent. More consistent than Oregon was... But Oregon was explosive and schemed up a better game. Ohio State's defense is very very good... With their athlete advantage they want to play that way because it has and will dominate games. Until they play someone with similar skill and can pick on some of the one-on-one match ups.

Everyone in the media and Ohio State seemed to forget 2021 ever happened. I mean I have seriously been questioning whether that ever happened because the last match up ever referenced is 2015 which Oregon lost. It already feels like everyone is forgetting that Ohio State lost this one as there are so many declarations that Ohio State is the better team.

This has a misleading title. How Oregon's win changes the the CFP picture? Their answer is that it doesn't... Oregon is still worse than Ohio State. I'm going to be blunt... One of my biggest takeaways from this game was that Oregon still has a lot more growing room. Ohio State looked like I expected them to and I don't know they have much more of a ceiling. They are very good but I'm not sure they left more points on the field than Oregon did. Ohio state left 3 points and were gifted 7. Oregon left at least 10 on the field and weren't gifted any. The narrative I keep coming around to is that Oregon was lucky. Pate is really the only one that seems to actutgive us credit. And actually spent time talking about us and not just Ohio State.

I agree this would certainly have been more meaningful and impact... though I don't think doing it during the press conference that night would have been appropriate for two reasons. 1. I don't think Holden had the mental head-space to do it that night. I don't think most adults would be able to emotionally regulate and get themselves into the correct mindset to own up to their actions that quickly. 2. Those media interactions and interviews were about the team and the team's win. Giving airtime to an apology that focused on the actions of one player kinda goes against focus. I am sure Lanning is going to have him stand up on the stage during a team meeting and apologize to the entire team that way. We may get a taste of it in a Ducks vs Them video but I kinda doubt it. That apology is far more important and meaningful than anything that goes out to the media and fan base. We love this team and we may all appreciate an apology but the reality is that we don't work or train nearly as hard as these players.

I am sure we'll have Burch for the next go around... Outside of that... this is the START of a rivalry. The hate between the two will only grow if we take the B1G championship.

I read the letter... as a teacher I've read far too many AI generated things. This didn't strike me as AI generated but it could have... in short is was a pretty standard apology. I wouldn't have been surprised if it started as AI generated or was based off a standard apology. It doesn't go into specifics it is just standard. As for Holden... he has been running hot emotionally for quite a few games now. I think he got an unsportsmanlike against Michigan State. He needs to control himself better. Though if anyone was watching when Holden entered the tunnel he sat down and broke down. He was clearly upset and he knew he had let everyone down. That's the lesson learned and to be blunt he didn't need to be yelled at. He probably needs a sports psychologist to be honest because he runs too hot emotionally too much of the time. He needs some strategies to cool down and to focus that emotion into lifting others up on his own team.

Those Ohio State receivers have incredible hands. The ball just seems to fly to it and stick to them. I'm sure they would have found a way to catch the ball if an Oregon receiver blanketed him... but at least we could have contested it. It was a physical game for sure. But like you I'm just fine with the call going the way it did and not against the Ducks. Also... lets let Ohio State have their field goal. We get our interception and take 7 points off the board for Ohio State in the process. I'll take that deal.

Jeanty is good and probably the best runningback in college football right now. But he's stuck at Boise State playing Mountain West competition. He won't be tested (again) until the playoff but by then the Heisman voting all done and it's over. I think he gets an invite but I'd be shocked if he won it. Travis Hunter is doing some incredible things but I think he may be sideline with an injury for a game two. Just like last year. He's doing everything for Colorado right now and that's what is literally hurting him. If he wants the Heisman he needs to be a full time receiver who dabbles at DB in some special sets. Not a full time two way player. That's too many snaps. Gabriel stands a good chance if Oregon wins out. But I think the SEC voting block might be against him and he'll lose. But I can live in hope. It's worked so far this season.

It's like all Oregon talk for the first 20 mins. Definitely worth a listen.

Same thing went in the Pac-12. Lanning has a couple losses that should have been wins in year one that proved you don't underestimate an opponent. I think the Beaver win in 2022 will go down as their last significant win in program history.