HappyToBeADuck

The CFP committee could make their case for having Texas and Bama jump the Ducks Utah and SC getting thumped yesterday hurts the Duck SOS. The Ducks Top 25 victories have simply disappeared from the 2023 schedule....... Thankfully many talking heads are spouting that the Ducks are playing the best football now. I think Georgia and Bama may be right with Ducks. Beating a rank OSU snd a top 5 husky team will revive the SOS. Go Ducks.....

I am certain that this awesome Forum will be filled with Cival War football stories this week.... Rivalry week is such a special week for college football fans. No matter the teams season records the CW has had some epic battles. From 2000 thru 2009 the teams went 5-5 against each other. The Erickson years were special for Beaver fans. Jonathon Smith was a big part of some of those Beaver wins. I remember listening to Joey Harrington talk about how the Beavers spoiled a Rose Bowl trip for his Ducks. The Ducks were heavy favorites and simply lost. Anything and everything can happen in this matchup .. From 2010 thru 2019 the Ducks dominated 9-1 and made 2 Natty's. The Ducks fielded some special teams in that era. This years version may prove to be very special, too! Beavers win at home in 2020 Ducks win ar home in 2021 Beavers win at home in 2022 after an epic last 20 minute collapse on both sides of the ball. And some HC rookie mistakes by DL..... 2023? The outcome of this game will depend on the Duck D. JS and staff made tremendous half time adjustments against the huskies. Until the husky defense made a 4th down stop with a little over 2 minutes left in the game, Penix and company were on the field for only 6 minutes..... Beavus shut out Penix in the 2nd half. The Beaver O kept the Husky O on the sidelines. Cant score points if you are watching the game as the Beavers played ball control One Beaver scoring drive was just shy of 10 minutes. Damn! The Duck D needs to make stops and get Bo and the outstanding offense the ball. The Beavers are a good football team and they will leave it all on the field. However, the Ducks are a better, more complete team with depth. The only way the Beavers can win is to limit Bo's opportunities. The Duck D must make sure that doesn't happen. Go Ducks! Open that can of whup arse on Beavus........

Ryan, how on Earth did the Ducks lose to the huskies is the $64,000.00 dollar question..... . I agree with you that after the game in Sesttle both teams have been headed in opposite directions. The only common demonitor is they are both winning their games..... In every aspect the Ducks dominated the huskies except on the scoreboard. The huskies, including and since the Duck game have made the one or 2 plays needed each game to win. They do just enough. But they find away to hold on and win... That just makes me puke, again! Just like OBD's did against Texas Tech.... the huskies make the plays needed to win.... When the Ducks could have closed the game out in Sesttle, with a first down, the huskies stopped the Ducks. The huskies made the plays! Even then the Ducks drove down the field in the final seconds to tie the game. Sadly Cam missed the FG. Of course DL made some coaching decisions that kept potential points off the board. However, through out the game in critical 4th down situations, the husky D stopped the Duck O from executing! The huskies made the plays when needed to best the Ducks. Just typing that makes me puke, again! DL, his staff and some of the players are 0-3 against the huskies and beavers. They all get the chance for redemption the next 2 weeks. The stakes are high and for this fan will define DL's early coaching career. Win out, go 12-1, revenge your losses and make your case for a CFP invite. Thats all in the Ducks control! First things first, destroy the Beavers on national tv. Nothing in the Ducks football world matters...... Do not let Beavus send us to San Diego again! I am confident that DL and staff will have the players prepared and ready for the CFP play in game against the beavers. Go Ducks...beat the beavers!

Charles watching OBD's offense operate against ASU was pure joy for this fan... . The game plan was executed to near perfection! (Still some penalties and head scratching ref calls that muddied the waters for a play or 2!) This 2023 Duck O is the perfect storm of a emerging OC, dominant line, powerful, twitchy RB room, outstanding receivers/TE's being stirred and cooked by the most experienced QB ro play CF. Crafty? Okay..... Savory? Yes indeed.....

As long as the CFP committee keeps the Ducks at #6 or better then the Ducks have a good chance for an invite. Even though the Ducks SOS will drop slightly after this weekend, their eye test impressions will continue to rise as long as they beat Beavus decisively. It must be a all 3-phase dominant win. The loser of tOSU vs Michigan game must fall below OBD's in the rankings. If they don't then the path for the Ducks gets bumpier! (Why the committee values the buckeyes and wolverines so hi baffles me. The wolverines have only played 2 teams with a winning record......wth) 1 loss blue bloods without a conference title have jumped 1 loss champs in the PAC, little Big 12 and the ACC before. If Bama beats Georgia in a close exciting game rhen the door is wide open for 2 SEC teams. All the Ducks control is beating Beavs and huskies and beating them big.....DL has yet to beat them in 2 seasons. Those deamons must be excorcised in the next 2 weekends..... Go Duck! Beating Beavus is all that matters.....

Ducks win 59-3 2 turnovers 2 sacks 335 passing yards Hoping the Ducks keep focused and their eye on the prize. Utah beats Arizona and huskies beat the beavers. And chaos rains supreme outside the PAC......

Good point Log Haulin. Oregon has made a few coaching as names. However, not all big name hires work out. Jimbo Fisher was a big name hire and that didnt work out for the Aggies. The foundation, substance and culture at ATM central is less developed than it is at Oregon. I guess if both jobs were open and the pay equal, which job would a big name coach choose? Or if the job was open at usc. Would sc or Atm be more desirable? Or which is the better job? A good recruiter may choose Atm over Oregon because of Texas high school recruits. It's fertile and ripe for talent. That is a big plus. In my many business trips to Texas the last 50 years, when we discussed football Atm was always 2nd fiddle to the Longhorns. I imagine Oregon would probably be well behind Atm in the eyes of Texas football fans...... IMHO opinion, the money will enable Atm to get the big name coach they want. However, at best, that coach has to build a team that can win against The Real Dawgs, the Tide, LSU, Texas and Oklahoma. Ole Miss, The VOLS and Gators are formible, too. Big, impossible challenges require big pay day rewards. I love the thoughts and comments on this Forum.

Unless I am mistaken, the Ducks have made only 1 CFP appearance since it was established in 2014. The Ducks Natty appearance against Auburn was under the old, biased, self-serving BCS system. But the Oregon job and program, currently is head and shoulders above the cash machine known as ATM. Go Ducks.....beat ASU.....

Charles is there reason to be concerned? They play the games for a reason........and anything can happen! On paper and by every metric the Ducks should win this game and cover the spread. This is as complete a team the Ducks have had in, well as long as I can remember. Offensive fire power off the charts! Hungry, nasty, mean spirited defense with depth. Most of the Ducks number 2's would be starters for ASU......TT should even have a few TD passes and run for a score today.... However, as you mentioned there is something in that desert air and Dilly has his squad overachieving. Throw in the notice me #/@%&?, game changing, momentum killing PAC 12 refs and well, who knows. Thankfully its not a PAC after dark game on espn.......... If the Ducks play focused, minimize penalties and turnovers they should be home for a late supper. With smiles on their faces after a drubbing of ASU. Then begin prepping for the CW! One thing is for certain, when this old man makes a few potty trips in the middle of the night, DL, his staff and Bo will be focused and prepping for the Beavers. It's the same focus and prep that will allow the Ducks to have a big win in the desert this afternoon. Go Ducks! Beat ASU....

Great in depth article Charles! So much info, coupled with facts, to digest in a few readings. Well done! Who is the best OC? Defenses were not prepared for the schemes and tempos of CK/MH. Most defenses lacked the freaks and depth to go 60 minutes. tOSU, BSU and Stanford did and they bullied the Ducks O line. While their offenses used time consuming drives that kept the Ducks O on the sidelines. Difficult to not have CK/MH at the top. However, defenses are equipped for schemes and mixed tempos in this era. WS has a more complete team of talent to work with. Plus, depth. WS's schemes provide the QB with multiple options within each formation. The QB progression reads, decision making and execution are critical. QB audibles, when needed, are also critical to each plays success. Bo Nix is a special QB that works WS's offense to near perfection. I attribute Bo's slowing of the offense to many of the procedure penalties by the O. Big boys can only hold their water for so long. Does the 6th year senior QB make WS look good? Bo helps but its a team effort couple with the OC. WS can move to the top of the list once his sample size grows over the next few seasons. As long as the next QB can read the D, go thru progressions and execute. He must lead this offense....... Go Ducks....beat ASU.....

Well, so many of us have viewed offers as the opportunity of a lifetime. Most didnt pan out.. Life is a journey with many turns as we reach different destinations. Achievers can use excitement and rntusiasm to cloud common sense and caution. Some darn good comments as part of an annual conversation we have and will have as the season winds down. At this point, as others text, a G5 HC position is a step down for Stein. Stay with. DL and the Ducks, destroy BIG defenses in 2024 and 2025. Build your resume so AD's and boosters at other schools mention your name to head up their program. A 3 year G5 deal might pay a total of $5 million. Fail and you are potentially marked and back as an OC in a hungry P5 school. Put 40 plus games on that resume, learn from DL how to be a HC and you probably get $5 million plus each season. Play your cards right, produce at a high level and that contact/buy out and you are financially set. Food for thought......

Ryan, really enjoyed your article. Great job breaking down the many possible scenarios. A great deal to consider and ponder, for sure. Nothing matters without Ducks winning out..... Normally chaos rears its ugly head on at least one November weekend. This year there as been very little chaos, so OBD's need to focus on ASU. A lopsided win against the Sun Devils accomplishes 2 things, needed style points and a spot in the pac title game. Then the Duck SOS will improve with the Beavers and Huskies next on the schedule..... Texas cannot, will not, should not jump Oregon if they both win out. The little big 12 does not offer Texas elite opponents to build their SOS and perception. The loser of tOSU vs UM will not have a conference title or a 13th game. Loser should not be in the conversation Alabama is the threat.....if they beat The Dawgs they jump Oregon. And the Dawgs will, most likely, stay a head of the Ducks. (Earned bias) Best scenario, Ducks win big time their last 3 games. Make their case and leave no doubt....... Let chaos reign on FSU and Georgia beat Bama... Go Ducks...beat ASU....

Alex I agree with you and EastBayDuckDad and the candidates you mentioned. If I had a vote it would be cast for Bo! His resume, coupled with his leadership, speak volumes and shouts MVP........and the Heismam voters msy agree, too. What makes Bo a true MVP is he would give credit for his success to those around him.

The best thing about Coach Lanning is that he really is only focused on 2 things: The 1% improvement by the staff and players! Beating ASU. No Natty without improvement and destroying ASU. OBD's get passed by bama and texas with a mediocre win in the desert. Go Ducks.........

David, timely article a great analysis. I remember the usc AD at the time was so excited and over the top about the Riley hire. Riley would rescue usc football......... The dilusional usc fan and elitist trojan administration had their man. Flashy for sure.....Williams was the icing on the cake. It was all an illusiona in a town built on fantasy and illusion. The illusion continued in 2022, especially in a soft PAC 12 and the Ducks and huskies absent from the trojans schedule. Alas, the Utes shattered the glass of illusion in 2022. The Trojans blamed the refs, Oregon and PK.. Riley was touted for bringing in portal transfers to fix the D. The hype machine was back in action. 2023 would be the year. However, Riley and his staff cannot win without a few things.... Depth Players that fit Assistants who can coach Substance No amount of delusional hype will beat tOSU, Michigan, PSU, Oregon and uw. The trojans must build what DL is building now. It's so much fun to see the trojans reap what they sow.... Go Ducks....beat ASU

The few losses we have incurred in the desert seem to be memorable because some of those losses derailed some Duck Top 5 teams. Like the injury to our amazing QB at Arizona or being #3 and losing to ASU. Not so much the quantity of defeats but the outcome. To me Alabama and Georgia dont lose to teams they are expected to beat.....neither should the Ducks. This week ASU could be a trap game for our Ducks. DL and staff seem to keep the players on point, so far. They should shut out ASU and put up 45 plus points. And TT should be in the game all 2nd half.

Everybody who has seen film the last 23 games of the DL era knows what's coming. If Bo is lined up under center isn't it a high probability that the sneak is coming? Recognized tendencies can and will be seen by more coaches than the uw head coach. The last thing i want to see is the franchise QB at the bottom of 1500 to 2000 pounds of big bodies. I agree that more options should be available in this situation.....

Dilly has had a few good games from his defense this year. Any kind of offense and 1 less mistake and the huskies would be 9-1. But shoulda, coulda, woulda dont win games. Over the years the desert has not been kind to our Ducks. Thankfully this game is at 1 pm and not the dreaded PAC after Dark baloney. Play clean and sharp and keep ASU Defense off balance and lets put up a big number on the scoreboard. Running up the middle should not be a problem for the Ducks. .... But thats why they play the games! This would be a good weekend for the Duck D to pitch a shutout. Go Ducks....beat ASU.... Side note the Big only has 4 teams with a winning record. Talk about east coast bias when ranking Michigan... ..

Once again, thanks Coach. The Hoss Concept really provides Bo a number of options for success. It appears to me that the QB must be able to read and then recognize the D formation. Then quickly run thru his progressioms or strike quickly as defenders committ. Having the time to set up and throw the pigskin sure helps. Great protection by the O line and great read and throw by Bo. The after burners on Tez finished that play off in a hurry. Go Ducks! Beat ASU........

The game was simply a mixed bag for me. Just when the Ducks should have crushed the trojans, well they lacked focus and discipline That is definitely a red flag.....sloppy for sure But they play the games for a reason and after this game was played our OBD's had a critical WIN.... a big WIN....... The Ducks did not bring their A+ game and they handled the 2nd highest scoring team with the best QB in college football. That is all the scoreboard that matters. Now with a win over ASU and a husky win over the beavers (not a sure thing for uw),the Ducks will be in the drivers seat for a trip to Vegas. That is exciting....sure there's stuff to work on but the Duck's are 9-1. They are 9-1 and in the thick of everything. What excited me more than the win was DL and Bo's comments on the field after the game...both were not happy or satified with the performance. They both talked of improving and cleaning things up. That is real leadership we can count on as a fan! And as stated on OBDF many times before: only the Ducks can beat the Ducks. Go Ducks beat Dilly and ASU. It's all that matters on the journey to Vegas.

It was a great high profile game on national tv. KD and his staff made some solid halftime adjustments. Especially on the D side of the ball. KD is 22-2 as the husky HC. The Huskies will have their handsful in Corvallis next week. Go Ducks, beat SC tonight.....

My goodness, only a husky could pick the ball off and run it for a pick six..... But wait theres more. He drops the ball off at the 2 yard line as he starts his celebration. (Serious academic prowess) 2 more huskies run right past the ball to start their celebration, too. (More academic prowess X2) A Utah player falls on the ball at the 1 yard line. (WOW) Then KW runs a deep handoff 5 yards deep in his endzone on an obvious running play. With 8 defenders in the box. (KW channeled his inner MC) Hey Desert Duck, sometimes you gotta throw up to feel better. Its a tough day to root for the enemy...

David thanks for the article and your assessment is right on the money. Stuffing the trojan run game keeps Williams in 2nd and long and then 3rd and long. Makes the Trojans one dimensional. Even though sc is excellent in that dimension..... Notre Dame gave any team the blue print to handling sc as long as you have the horses on D. I believe the Ducks have the horses and freaks to humiliate the Trojans tonight. Along with the confidence and the home crowd the D could make a statement...... ND held sc to 103 yards rushing and 199 passing. The ND D forced 3 interceptions, 2 fumbles and 6 sacks. The ND D's front 7 pushed the sc O line backwards into the play. The RB's had no room to run. Williams had no place to go. He hurried throws or literally could not step into his throws. ND caused havoc and chaos in the sc backfield. The result was turnovers and a decisive ND victory. This will be the most aggresive, nasty, mean D that SC has faced all season. No reason to chase Williams all over the field. Strike quick, blow up the plays and get the O the ball back. This the Ducks D's game to win..... It should be noted that ND only generated about 250 total yards on offense. As long as the O line plays clean and smart the Ducks should have 250 yards and 28 points by half time. GO DUCKS....

Hate and i should emphasize, i absolutely hate having to root for a putrid husky victory. Yet, I ask myself, what would potentially keep a 12-1 OBD's from making the CFP? SOS and lack of glamour/style points....... The Ducks have handed out some epic beatdowns to opponents this year. Beatdowns against usc, asu and the beavers are a must down the stretch. Style points matter because the eye test cannot be discounted...... As for SOS? To remain the top one loss team requires a SOS that trumps 1 loss Alabama/Texas/Penn State and soon to be Michigan This will be difficult.... To this point the Ducks have one top 25 win (Utah) and the epic game (lets snatch a defeat from the jaws of victory) loss against uw to slightly help with SOS...... The Ducks SOS improves some with games against usc and the beavers. But IMHO it will be a revenge game victory over an undefeated Top 5 husky team that vaults the Ducks into the Top 4. A victory over a 1 loss husky team may not be enough for our Ducks to sell the committee on a Duck invite. The huskies need to eke out close wins against the utes and beavs so the utes and beavs dont fall out of top 25. History shows that the committee will not vault a one loss team over an undefeated team. The Ducks should put 60 plus on the board in each of their last 3 games. Then avenge their 1 loss in the PAC title game and be invited to CFP. Avoid the chaos that Haywarduck is rooting for is about to happen in the next 3 weeks and OBD's improve their CFP chances. However, none of this matters unless the east coast biased ones (former bama qb) wake up Sunday morning to a 70-24 Duck victory. Go Ducks beat usc......

Ducks win 52-49 2 -TO 1- SACK 304 yards passing Could be a redemption game for CL. All season long the 2023 Ducks have done the opposite of my prediction.. this should ensure a Duck blowout victory. The anticipation, coupled with an uneasiness about this game has me on the edge of my seat. GEEZ..... Go Ducks....