David Marsh

I work with a Michigan fan... this week he gets to be a Duck fan because of his hate for Ohio State. I was a Michigan fan last week and earlier this season when they played USC. Though I am back to being indifferent about Michigan. Though I'm sure we'll have loads of Michigan fans rooting for us this weekend.

The biggest difference now from the Kelly years is that I feel we have the linemen to make this actually work now. The problem with the Kelly-Helfrich offense was that once it slowed down opposing teams could get stops more regularly, even on plays that were ripping them to shreds earlier in the game. Oregon's high scoring offense back then was interlocked with its speed because we didn't have the big and bruiser offensive linemen that could run as much consistent power plays. Now... we can slow things down and still get chunk yards and keep the team on the field. I believe a series last week went for eight minutes of game time! (if it wasn't last week it was the week before). That's just insane because those are constant chunk plays that kept the Ducks ahead of the chains but also relatively few explosion plays (if any) because of the amount of clock it burned.

Interesting stuff.. But to be honest they don't talk about Oregon's defense at all and seem to not know anything about it. Sure Oregon didn't cover against MSU. Probably for two reasons... 1. Gabriel had two bad interceptions that could have been points. 2. The defensivr starters got to sit on the bench and give the backups some time. That's when MSU scored. They didn't score on our starters. This preview seems to be more usual easy coast fare... They know Oregon is good but don't seem to know the team.

That's why we play this game on the field. Ohio State was supposed to win in 2021... We know how that went. Talent is pretty equal... Though probably a slight edge to Ohio State. So it all comes down to execution and motivation. Does Lanning have something up his sleeve? We'll find out in less than a week!

USC could very well have won both games. But I think it might actually be harder for Easter coast teams to come west than West Coast teams to go east. West Coast teams can reasonably practice in the morning and a 9am start time isn't that crazy. But how do you reasonably train for a game that starts at 6pm PST (9pm east cost). I mean it's possible but that just feels more difficult to try and plan for... And I think it's underestimated how much of an impact that could have.

Funny you should mention it... I wrote an article about it a while ago. 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... Trojan fans could have lost their proverbial (insert explative here) if they hired Dan Lanning, a up and coming defensive coordinator. They want big names and flash.

There is nothing wrong with the pistol. If used correctly it can merge power and flexibility as it's based alignment allows the running back to make their approach on either side of the quarterback. It can go down the middle or bounce to the outside... Or any other way you want to use this formation. Cristobal used it basically like a worse I-formsation and ran players right into A-gaps. Also... Anyone else watch Cristobal's beloved offensive line get mostly worked over by Cal last night? Yeah... We upgraded big with Lanning.

I think in terms of an entertaining product there was nothing wrong with Pac-12 football. It was darn entertaining and had some of the most competitive games in the country. However... Was it competitive outside of the conference? Not so much outside of the top teams and even then not regularly competitive.

A more interesting break down of the first 32 games.

Only because they went to Nick Saban's Head Coaching Rehabilitation Center for a few years.

Oof.... Clay Helton was better through 32 games? Helton did get a conference championship. And Lincoln Riley isn't happy with reporter's questions.. Trojans aren't happy... And this is the conference they choose to join and put everything in motion to kill the Pac-12.

I don't think Miami would beat Boise State... I don't think they'd lose badly either but I don't think that's a guaranteed win. I think if Miami played Oregon's schedule they'd beat Idaho, Oregon State, UCLa, and Michigan State... But I'm not sure on Boise. That one would be close. Miami also doesn't have any ranked opponents currently on their schedule. Louisville lost and fell out of the rankings. Louisville is probably the hardest opponent left on their schedule as well.

That's kinda 80% of this offense. Get the ball out fast to playmakers and let the playmakers do the work. Whether that's a handoff to a runningback or a quick pass to a receiver. The other 20% is everything else... The deeper passes, the power runs, any weird formations. I would like to see Stewart as a larger part of the game plan and have some more medium range throws. I'm glad Stewart got a touchdown on Friday... He should have more.

Miami is NOT a top 10 team. Their two wins against Virginia Tech and Cal, the only two P4 teams they've ayed that don't have losing records but barely so, brought them down to the wire and put over 30 points on them. Miami's stats are padded by cupcakes right now.

Miami bailed out by officials and replay again.

Cal's defense is exhausted... The offense needs to put up at least 3.

35-10 Cal and Justin Wilcox is outright out coaching Cristobal. We've seen that happen before.

Conferences really don't get to choose what time games start....it's the tv networks that do that. So ESPN wanted this game to start that late.

Some quick context on Miami's "explosive" offense. Miami has not played a team with a winning record. The best teams they have played have a .500 record... The rest are underwater. Cal is the first team that will have a winning record to fight whether they win or lose.

Feeling real good about Oregon's offensive line right now... Seeing all these other teams offensive lines that were better than ours earlier in the year being torn to shreds.

An invite sure... But Utah State isn't exactly top tier competition.

Gabriel has at times become too focused on Tez. Gabriel threw some incompletes at Tez that were contested when he had another receiver open elsewhere. Stewart is often open but isn't being thrown to make a play. Tez is amazing but teams are starting to key in on him and we need to start using our other weapons. Thankfully Holden is getting some passes his way and so is T. Ferg.

That Cal defensive line is playing brilliantly. Not too surprising because Wilcox has but together some solid defenses. Getting an offense that works for him has been the struggle.

21-10 Bears! Let's gooooo! Also... That Cal crowd is rocking. Not something anyone can usually say about a Cal game. Certainly one of the better crowds ive seen from any of the California schools.