HappyToBeADuck

It is so painful to root for usuck! Gosh they are such an entitled fan base. My dislike for the spoiled ones is only surpassed by the total disdain for the leg-lifters. Needless to say the espn owned clowns on the committee showed that thry have no respect for OBD's and certainly use a different set of metrics to measure by per conference. So for SOS for OBD's both those POS scools need to win until thry face the Ducks.....

Great comments and thoughts in this tbread today.. Great article to ponder for sure. I think that the egos are big enough at LSU, Florida and PSU that they will offer Urban, Saban and Lanning beyond ridiculous numbers to be their head coach. Doesn't matter that all 3 say no publicly they will get offered. Franklin should have been hired by a number of programs to get a jump start on recruiting for next season It just doesnt feel like the pool is filled with candidates. No matter who takes the Beavers job now, it is just a step up from the Big Sky. The Montana State coach comes from North Dakota State coaching tree. He makes sense for the Beavers and so does Ojeron. PS: No matter the offers than do come to DL I feel PK will match it or add more Nike stock. DL has OBD's on track for a Natty,and he knows it. Maybe next year because the freshman, RS freshman and RS sophmores on the 2025 squad are freaks and cutting their teeth.

Darren, thanks for the article! The coaching merry-go-round is just a few weeks away from kicking into high gear. I agree that WS will get offers. UCLA would be a good landing spot because the school itself has low expectations, the program had no plsce to go but up and their 35 fans don't care. Will needs a $10 to $15 million NIL committment from the Bruins. He has great talent to work with at Oregon because of NIL. It' played a role in his success. Going from UW to UCLA would be a step down for JF. If he leaves it most likely woild be to Florida or LSU. He is a quality coach that can build a winner and proved his teams will defend their home turf. Not a great deal of high qiality coaches to choose from. Only a few schools have the deep pockets to pull a top level coach away from their current spot. This Duck fan refuses to look past the Iowa game. Not because I don't believe OBD's can win the game! Because they can win it......... I just don't know what Duck team will show up. Other than the Rutgers game the Ducks have struggled offensively in conference play to put up points. Iowa is the best defense they will play so far. Points will be scarce and hard to come by. Play clean, no turnovers and coach punt the ball, if necessary. Give the Haekeyes along field. The Hawkeyes don't wilt against top 10 teams. And they defend their home turf very well. The Duck D will win this game! Iowa's offense will try to run but the Duck D can stack the box. As long as the Duck ends hold the edge then IOWA has to pass. They have no deep threats. They are excellent at sending the TE on a loop behind the linebackers for 7 yard gains. Or quick slants to WR. Stop those safety net plays and the Duck D could pitch a shut out. The Hawkeye DC, Herbie and the Hawkeye beat writers have given OBD's ample bulletin board material for motivation. Go Ducks, prove them wrong.

Ducks win 17-7 1 - TO 1 - Sack 152 Passing yards Go Ducks........

Correction to my previous comment. If A&M lost to Texas then they would only have one loss, not 2 losses. On an added scenario, Michigan controls their own destiny. If they win out and beat tOSU then depending on tie breakers, they could be in the BIG title game. If they don't make the title game consider that a 10-2 Wolverine squad, with a win over tOSU could overtake a 10-2 Duck squad? Just another reason for OBD's to win out and finish 11-1....

Alex, i feel that anything can happen in college football in November and nothing is more important than OBD's winning out. The Ducks may need double digit wins to change how the committee views them...... Many scenarios can and will play out to determine and shape the final 12 rankings. But its best the Ducks win out. This weekend the Ducks need BYU to beat TT, barring being leap frogged, OBD's move up to 8th. Then we need BYU to win out and win their title game. OBD's do not need an AQ out of the BIG 12 to take up a coveted spot. If Texas and Oklahoma win out then they will jump our Ducks. In this scenario, A&M, Bama and Georgia will have 2 losses. Chances are they will not fall below a 10-2 Duck team. Again, it is best to win out. If those 3 teams win out then Texas and Oklahoma are not a factor. Most likely Ole Miss wins out because their heaviest lifting is behind them. Normal ACC chaos in November should leave them with just 1 spot as long as GT doesn' upset Georgia. These are just a few scenarios and IMHO the Ducks need to play much better, win out and stay out and above the CHAOS! Go Ducks. As Alex said one game at a time. Step up, play with your hair on fire and handle business against tge Hawkeyes...

I have very little confidence we make the CFP at 10-2. The path for OBD's to the CFP is at 11-1. The committee showed to much love for the SEC and the BIG 12. They lost conference games to and amongst themselves and that didn't seem to hurt them that much Of course, its college football and chaos can happen. A BYU win over Texas Tech will help OBD's. If Texas beats both Georgia and A&M they will jump the Ducks. Chances,are a 10-2 Bama, Ole Miss and Georgia would land ahead of a 10-2 Duck squad. The CFP placed OBD's where they belong and left the door wide open for them to win out and get a first round road trip.. With a little chaos we could get a home game. The PSU game has turned out to be a nothing burger at this point. OBD's played one game of value against IU at home, performed poorly and lost. We best win out! No rose covered lenz will mask this week schedule. GO Ducks, lots of games to be played!

Winning out will take care of most everything for OBD's. They control their own destiny A hard fought victory on the road against tbe Hawkeyes will enhance the perception for the Ducks. I expext the BIG 12 to get a lot of love inspite an overall lack of quality wins, other than those against themselves. No matter the circus that ESPN has turned Tuesday nights in November into, well OBD's need to win at Iowa. Its step 1 of 4 play in games for DL and his team........no matter what the mouthpieces say. Go Ducks.......

David, thank you for your thoughts and feelings on OBD's move to the BIG. The PAC was truly unpredictable and at times crazy. However, this old Duck fan does not miss after dark in the desert! That trip was more than a speed bump for the Ducks. With one loss in most seasons the Ducks would not be ranked #6. Pollsters are showing the Ducks respect because they earned it on the field in the BIG. They beat Michigan in the BIG house, split with tOSU, beat PSU twice and are in a conference with the $1 and #2 teams in the nation. RESPECT! Last year tOSU and OBD's were #1 and #2 for most of the season. And the conference has won the last 2 Natty's and may get a threepeat this season. When was the last PAC team to win a Natty? Just usuck...... I will take that narrative over the fun and crazy of the PAC anytime. As you do, I find myself checking scores and flipping channels to watch parts of the many SEC games of the century every week. Very few BIG game match ups are compelling. I think GAT is correct, it will take some time and we will develope rivalries. Can't wait for a rematch with IU or tOSU. My biggest complaint is the travel miles. It is disproportionate for West Coast teams. First of all, the west teams should play each other every season to cut out 1 Saturday of time zone change. And rotate one season with 2 trips east then the next season with 3 east trips or add one or 2 teams out west. More BIG teams need to travel west. Looking closely to see how well OBD's play down the stretch and into the CFP. This Ducks do multiple trips Back east during football season and, at least for me, jet lag recovery is real. Go Ducks! Lets make some new rivalries with Iowa and Minnesota...

Charles, i think that the passing numbers are slightly skewered now that we reside in the BIG. Other than tOSU (clearly headed for back to back natty's), Indiana and SC the BIG doesnt have the QB play like the PAC-12 did. All around it feels like a power running conference. I still feel if WS had been patient and stuck to the inside power run game against IU, well the outcome may have been different! DL and WS asked DM too do what IU would not allow! They kept everything in front of them. And they got home to DM with the front 4 and one blitzer. 6 or 7 drives chewing up 5 to 7 minutes does not allow your opponent much time to score points. Besides you don't have to pass to beat OBD's. The D gives up the middle runs and when our edge players give up the edge, well you bounce outside. Add in that you pass at your own peril when you challenge the Ducks secondary. When we play the Buckeyes in the Natty that narrative may change. The Buckeyes can pass protect and stretch the field...... Let's hope OBD's win out and gets on the Indiana side of the bracket. We owe them a payback game.And while I respect Cignetti, OBD's need to wipe that cocky, smug smirk off his face. Hang on to the nearest rail OBDF members the next 8 games could be an amazing roller coaster ride. One game at a time, let's handle the Hawkeyes or none of this may matter. Their DC really thinks OBD's are just NIL storebought. Let's show him what a power run game is all about! Go Ducks......

Solar, i agree with you and Sir Charles, would love to see a few 50/50 balls from around mid-field IMHO there may be a few reasons that we aren't seeing this: Pass Protection: As BBMichaels pointed out the pass protection hasn't been there. While our tackles are road graders in the run game, they are not rock walls on pass protection. When you allow sacks against a 4 man rush that means the numbers on the back end arent in your favor. A free roaming safety can break up or intercept the ball. Dante: Dante may not be at the top of his game at reading the defensive schemes and formations, yet! He has the arm strength and accuracy but that type of play needs single coverage with no safety over the top. Can or does Dante recognize this or has DL and WS given him the green light. If you go back and watch the games from 22-24, both Bo and Dillion had the team lined up with 25 or more seconds on play clock. They looked over the D formation and called an audible. If the D changed their formation they had enough time to audible again. Bo and Dillion had game experience to do this. At this point, Dante may not have enough game experience. He will get there. Remember, Bo struggled at Auburn in his learning curve. Conference Opponents: Points have been difficult to come by in conference play. Rutgers being the exception. Plays are at a premium and this offence cannot waste any. OBD's running game is strong. It eats clock and puts points on the board. If DL and WS had been more patient and kept rinning the ball against the Hoosiers, the out come may have been different! When we passed to catch up or forced the pass, well Dante got picked twice in the fourth quarter. OBD's lost a game they could have won. Go Ducks......

Don, thanks for that deeper look st the Hawkeyes 2025 squad. I firmly agree that they will give the Ducks all that they can handle...... While there is no comparison in the talent and depth level between the two teams, the Hoosiers gave the Hawkeyes the game plan/blueprint to pressure and confuse Dante. They also have a defensive unit that can carry it out. We shall see if WS can game plan some a suprises for the Hawkeyes........ A fast start by OBD's offense would put Iowa behind the 8 ball, however the Ducks start slow against any defense that has a pulse.Offensively, Iowa should not be able to overpower the Ducks D unit. Reaching 20 points should be a challenge for the Hawkeyes. Can the Ducks score 21points? I think they can and will....... Before the season started, a number of Forum members felt Iowa could be a potential 2nd loss on the schedule. They might or they might not! Either way this game should be another rock fight in the rain similar to the Whisky game. If OBD's play clean the Ducks win 21-16. If not? Go Ducks

Each season is it's own entity and identity. Different skill sets of players, depth on the squad, different levels of experience for the coaching staff and injuries. No 2 seasons are alike, no 2 sets of circumstances are alike from year to year. Cignetti has decades of coaching experience. Dan Lanning is still cutting his teeth! He has had great mentors and is building his pedigree. Will Stein has great play calls but does not make in game adjust at times. Dante does not have 61 or 62 starts, he has less than 20. This teams tackles cannot pass block. When the routes come open Dante is already scrambling or sacked. If IU wins the title, then good for them! OBD's will win the title eventually. Maybe even this season. However, opportunity and preparedness must meet at the same place and time. For example, until last seasons format change, tOSU would not have even made the CFP. Ryan Day would have been fired after the Michigan loss. But the Buckeyes were prepared to meet the opportunity that presented itself! I am just hoping we win out to have an opportunity this season. Go Ducks....

Panic? It is a fair question to ask..... After 8 games, the Ducks are doing a number of things correct and improving in most areas. As a fan, they are fun to watch, then difficult and painful to watch! At times the Duck O is unstoppable. Then the O cant get a first down. Hard to understand....... The D can be dominant, however they let teams run the ball and dont tackle low. Opponents have near perfect score ratio in the red zone. Sadiq and Dak Moore have almost disappeared because the O line gives up too many sacs. Dante needs time for routes to open up. It is not rocket science. The line needs to pass protect as well as they run block. Fix that and OBD's puts up 40 plus points. No need to panic......this Duck fan just lowered my expectations for video game numbers. GO Ducks......

Charles, at this point, an increase in scoring average and a decrease in points allowed is plenty of reasons for excitement. We have left first downs and points on the board this season. Even last Saturday DL left points off tbe board. 2 minutes left in game, ball on 11 after interception and penalty and we take a knee. Day, Cignetti and other coaches would have punched it in and run up the score. I expect our scoring average to go down the last 4 games. Weather will play a factor, maybe! 3 of the four teams we play have defenses. Only usc plays sandlot or street ball. As long as the defense keeps improving we could see a 7-6 game against the Hawkeyes. The last four games are playoff play in games and they could be decided by the defense. I do not have the high expectation for this team that i had before the Indiana game. This version of OBD's is still a work in progress. Not criticism just you dont know what version will show up If they play like they did against Whisky then they will win out and maybe get a CFP home game. A 13.4 per game scoring average travels well and translates to wins if the offense plays clean and runs the ball down our opponents throats. GO DUCKS.....

David spot on i would love for JD to start because he brings power and agility to his carries. Perhaps that may bring a quicker jump start to the Duck offense. This old Duck fan owes DL and WS an apology. I have never commented on the game thread until this Wisconsin game. I was critical of the play calls and O line energy and performance. As an old coach who cut his teeth in the Roman Coloseum, i know better than to criticize during the game. A football game at this level is a high stakes chess match. Calling plays to see how the other teams D reacts. Looking for the other teams tell signs. The chess game may take all 60 minutes and the only goal is to win. DL said, because of the wind and rain that there wasnt going to be much passing. OBD's needed to run the ball to win this game....and that the BIG plays great run D and Whisky was strong against the run. On the first few drives NW and JD ran into stone walls. DL said in his post game comments that Wisconsin had tells from film review. And the Duck O had to run different plays to expose the tells. This took awhile but once they did, then JD found a little room and they moved the ball. NW was running designed plays to set up future play calls. On the 99 yard drive, once they got breathing room on the 3rd down pass conversion, then they exploited those tells. Moved down the field and scored.OBD's owned the last 4 minutes of the first half. Then inspite of Dante going down on the 3rd play of 2nd half, Brock came in and the Duck O continued to exploit those tells and controlled the first 4 minutes and beyond. And Whisky could not stop the Ducks. Only 7 penalties, some drive killers and a lazy holding penalty by MU kept the Ducks out of the endzone. These tells and adjustments opened up the running plays. Didn't matter whether NW or JD carried the ball. DL and the team were proud of Brock. DL said Brock called and executed his check downs. They even carried him on their shoulders in the locker room. We may all be underestimating his performance...... Before the start of the 99 yard drive the Ducks had very few rushing yards or any yards for that matter. DL acknowledged that they ended up with over 200 plus rushing yardsl Thats impressive and this fan says kudos to the Duck O. Its fun, exciting and also frustrating to watch these games. It's even more fun to read the game thread comments. The highs, the lows and all that goes into those 4 plus hours during the game. So sorry DL, WS and the O. That was a coaching masterpiece and I criticized it while it was being created. The Duck D dominated Whisky and repeatedly gave the O the opportunity to win this game. I think the pollsters recognized this solid win...... GO DUCKS.......

The money that the big schools will be throwing at the top coaches to leave their current school may very well reach the absurd Gonna be a wild ride. There are some extremely talented players who can transfer out of the schools firing those coaches. The coaches who stay put could certainly bolster their rosters. Early signing day is just around the corner. Committs may be decommitting. At the beginning of the year, Kelly and Franklin were considered top coaches. So they will be on the merry-go-round and where it stops no one knows..... Hope DL stays at Oregon until he gets that Natty.

In reality, the way the voters are enamored with the other 3 P4 conferences, as JJ points out, Iowa, usc and udubs are in PO elimination games against are Ducks. Flip that script and OBD's may themselves be playing in elimination games against those opponents.. We will see how OBD's are viewed by the selection committee coming out of their 2nd byw week.

Iowa, usc and udub will be challenging games to win. Victories over those 3 teams will not be overlooked by the CFP committee...... Those teams will challenge OBD's to the limit and should the Ducks be victorious, they will be better prepared for the top level opponents in the CFP. If the Ducks can't win out then they don't deserve to make the CFP....... DL has done a great job against unranked teams but in my opinion Iowa is a top 20 team, Udub top 25! Regardless of what sportswriters or coaches feel. Losing to tOSU or Indiana are not bad losses. Does anyone feel that Memphis, Navy or Houston can go into Iowa or Seattle and beat those teams? Gonna be a wild finish with a group of highly skilled teenagers who are not always consistent. Go Ducks!

Charles, I was very suprised that the Ducks held at #6. Expected a,couple of teams to jump them. Glad they didn't..... I feel that Iowa, SC and udub would beat the 5 BIG 12 teams that are ranked. Or at least split with them. The upper middle section of the BIG is not getting a great deal of respect. Not that it matters in the toilet bowls. However, it does for a CFP bound team to have wins over ranked opponents. GO DUCKS......

Coach DL was asked the question in a interview as to why Novosad and Moga did not get playing time and Brock did? DL said that you earn your way onto the field by your effort and performance in practice. And Brock earned the playing time. Says it all right there! Personally there is no mystery here. Brock beat the other QB's out for playing time. No matter our expectations of any of these QB's, they are not performing well enough to beat out Brock. The best players who earn it play in the games. 4 RB's are watching 2 freshman getting the snaps. Let's hope Brock keeps improving each week. He played well in some monsoon conditions. Handled some bad snaps and did not turn the ball over. Need better than that from the back-ups moving forward to win if starters go down. Go Ducks......

Last night only 3 running bacls had carries. JD, NW and DH. That means 4 highly talented running backs did not get touches or perhaps even make the plsying field. If we hold DL to his response about you earn playing time in the game by your effort and performance, then those 4 other RB's need to step up in practice. For me, it doesnt matter who starts or how many carries they get. What matters is how well the O line blocks for them. NW ran into walls in the first 4 drives. The O line was standing straight up and not firing out and moving the Whisky front 7. JD may be the best all around back and his sample size so far backs that up. If we actually make the CFP and win a Natty then we are just halfway thru the season. The formula of who starts or not and how many touches they get may depend on who we play, too. Iowa is going to be a difficult road game, especially if the Duck O line takes plays off or comes out flat footed. Last night, Whisky made this a hard fought rock fight in a monsoon. OBD's kept fighting back until they got their footing. Iowa will be another hard fought rock fight but on their home turf. JD and all the backs will go as far as the O line takes them. Our Duck D will need to play their best game of the year because this may be a 7-6 ball game. As an old Duck fan, i am glad we have JD and all these great backs. GO DUCKS......

My grandsons are watching the game and telling me the plays that OBD's are going to run before they run them. It appears Whisky can pre-read, pre-snap, also.... Another listless offensive game plan.

How the Duck O can come out so flat, at home is Absolutely mind-boggling. They have no passion! The O is uninspired........... Whisky is doing nothing special. The O line is not firing out. They are letting the defense come to them. Lets go D, shut down Whisky until the O decides to show up.

Ducks win 31-3 3- Turnovers 3 sacks 212 yards passing Go Ducks