HappyToBeADuck

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....

Thanks Cosch for taking the time to breakdown and explain the Touch Pass Sweep play. All your breakdowns and explanations have enhanced this Duck's enjoyment of watching for the plays during the games. Just another plus to this fabulous OBD Forum. Truly appreciate your articles...... Go Ducks..........

Darren, while anything is possible when the games are played, my feeling is the Ducks win all 3 games. Last years 8-1 start was built around an outstanding O line, emerging WR, RB and TE's and an experienced, hungry QB. The Duck D was lost and lacked the freaks and depth ro execute DL's vision and game plan. The final score depended on the O. Bo gets hurt, the D completely disappears the last 20 minutes of the CW and DL makes some critical in game decisions that bring about a 9-3 regular season. (San Diego here we come) The 2022 squad was fragile and learning. The 2023 squad is not fragile and has 22 games of learning under DL and staff. DL brought in the freaks for the D. Built depth on both sides of the ball and Bo is even better. Only the Ducks can keep themselves from 11-1 and off to Vegas. This squad was built to dominate. First things first, beat usc...... Go Ducks....

Troy has certainly been a joy to watch and his presence forces the Duck opponents into coverage(s) that Bo can exploit. In that Mock draft, Troy is the 6th wide receiver off the board. Going to KC, Troy's NFL career would blossom with PM slinging the ball. Add in the additional talent the Ducks have and it is the recipe for 48 points per game.... For this fan, football seems in order when OBD's lead the nation in scoring points. And the Duck D keeps opponents under 20 ppg.. For years, especially during the MC years, Charles has written or posted the CFP teams average 45 plus points per game. 2023 Duck O is right on track...... Beating sc is the only thing this 2023 team should focus on. Losing to the Trojans could keep the Ducks out of the PAC title game. DL, staff and players will not let this happen.... Side note: In that Mock draft, 3 frickin huskies in first round, 1 Duck and 1 trojan. But no Bo......... I feel Bo will be a late first rounder. His high football IQ, patience and leadership make Bo a perfect backup for a top 10 NFL team. Win out and Bo's stock will rise.

Thanks for the article David and it certainly appears the Ducks offense is really hitting its stride. I agree that since the loss to the puppies, Stein has mixed things up or Bo is audibling out of those plays. In rewatching the last 3 games I see Bo calling alot of audibles. Special young man and superb college QB.....DL and Stein are fortuneate to have an OC on the field. However, as we all know many factors also go into the success of any offense... Starts with another great Oregon line that can run and pass block at a high level. After 9 games they still are making the same mistakes as in the TT game. (Clean it up big boys) The line opens those holes for some twitchy, elusive and powerful running backs. Not many TFL's.... Those big boys give Bo the time needed for a bevy of receivers and TE's to get open. So many weapons for Bo to choose from. "It's starting to come together Pepper, starting to come together." I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to the ever improving Duck D. Forcing 3 and outs or limiting time consuming drives just gets the O more opportunities. However, mobile QB's, like Penix and Ward moved the ball and put points on the board. Now the best QB is coming to town...... Williams is mobile, elusive and a fierce competitor. He has NFL talented receivers who get open. This will be another great challenge for our Duck defense.... The offense can make this easy by scoring points on every drive. Consume time and let Williams enjoy the game from the sidelines. Go Ducks....beat the trojans. You may not get to the title game without a victory this weekend....

I love the enthusiasm, excitement and anticipation on the Forum about a usc blow-out loss against the Ducks...... Sunday morning confidence after 2 back to back blow out wins is cause for celebration. Fun topic ro ponder. However..... Just because the usc fans have quit on their team doesnt mean that the players have quit on the season. The Trojans have 2 games left, the Ducks and Bruins. Win those 2 and they can, depending on tie breakers, be in the PAC title game. They would hold the tie breaker over the Ducks! And the Ducks would be headed to the Alamo Bowl...... SC controls their own destiny, as do the Ducks. They have a Heisman winning QB, NFL wide receivers and a O line that helps them put up 50. I am confident that DL will have a game plan and the players ready. The final score against the Bears does not reflect the points the Ducks took off the board. The O was careless and undisciplined to start this game. That has happened a few times this season. SC has the offensive weapons to make the Ducks pay by scoring points.....utah and cal did not! This game will be close until the entire Duck team breaks the trojans spirit. This will require the Ducks to execute at the highest level for 60 minutes. Nothing less than the Ducks best game in 2023 will be needed to close out the trojans title hopes. Go Ducks........

Charles you are having way too much fun. You probably should stop but I recommend you pour it on. Ktmguy 2018, Williams is a great talent but a poor team leader. He gives his all for stats and points, his stats and his points. He strives to win but his team needs his leadership. You are so right that you want your leader to be front and center. On the front lines encouraging the D to fight on. Not pouting on the sidelines but leading his team not just in victory but in defeat as well. He is an exceptional talent playing a big boy game. Next year, if he leaves early, he will be playing a grown man’s game. Time to show that you can take it like a man, no matter what.... I will not underestimate the great sc offense. The Duck D could and will play great and yet could give up 50 points. So it’s all hands on deck, total focus, sharp execution and SCORE on every offensive possession. Until the Duck D takes control of the game.... Nothing matters but improve, beat usc and finish this new week, 1-0..

Great comments and a great deal to ponder about Ty.... Ty has athleticism, a rocket arm, quick release and size. Those are his givens. Those are great givens... Following Bo will be difficult for any QB, even a proven portal transfer. And yes talented, proven QB's will be lining up to transfer to Oregon. As Charles, the writers and OBDF posters have pointed out, Bo is special and we should enjoy every moment of his Duck career. What makes Bo so special and why are the a Ducks 18-4 with Bo taking snaps? It's Bo' intangibles.... intangibles that Bo has developed as a 5 year starter. Bo developed, thru experience and hard work. Bo has learned how to utilize the clock and slow the game down. He is not just playing in the game. Bo is taking command of the game. How many audibles has he called, or multiple audibles, and snapped the ball under 5 seconds on the play clock? Moves and countermoves are part of his strength. Can Ty or any transfer QB bring that calmness and control to the Duck offense? Don't know! Bo is accurate even when he scrambles. Because of the play calling by Stein and/or Bo's audibles the receivers are wide open. More important, he takes the time to scan the field. The last 2 seasons the O line has given Bo the time to make all this production happen. But Bo did his part and was patient enough to let the play unfold. I ask the Forum, can you name a college QB who has consistently stayed calm, called audibles and continued to improve? Maybe Burroughs and Bennett.....and they lead their team to Nattys... Even if DL brings in a experienced starter, Ty will get his chance to win the starting job. As long as Stein stays then Ty will know the system. But he will lack 50 plus games of experience. That cannot be overstated. It took time and games for Bo to read defenses, call audibles and slow his internal clock to a standstill. Ty will have to learn and develope those traits, on the job with Michigan, tOSU and UW on the schedule. .....only time will tell. In the meantime, i will enjoy the gift that is Bo. Let's hope we see Bo healthy and starting 6 more games as a Duck As for Ty, he has talent. The difference might be how much he has learned from Bo........

It should be noted that the Hurricanes wanted MC so much that they were willing to pay his $9 million (or something in that neighborhood) for his buy out...... They paid for what they wanted and got what they paid for....... If or when MC decides to hire quality assistants and get out of their way then the Canes will win and win big. Imagine top 10 recruiting classes with top level coaching? Wait I don't have to imagine that.....it'real and happening at Oregon now because the Canes had to have MC.... The ACC is a below average conference and will not improve with the 2 bay area powerhouses joining in 2024. So top 10 recruiting, coupled with great coaching amd Miami could rule the flag football ACC. It truly is the season to give thanks. Miami thank you for accepting our gift to you. Does it look as good now that it has been unwrapped?

Ryan you are so correct in your assessment because that first quarter was, well bizarre. The first quarter was a combination of exciting action, loss of focus and concentration, miscues, equisite PAC referrees reaching a new low level for penalties and the Ducks perseverance to overcome! (I don't mind penalties but Bucky got hit helmut to helmut and no call,WTH) Most games don't have that much happen in 4 quarters let alone 1 quarter....... I asked myself, what can I take away from this game? ■ The 2023 Duck team has so much talent that they can over come their own mistakes....(Consider how many 4☆ talented players are getting virtually no playing time) ■ The best team that Oregon faces every day or week is itself. ■ That DL does not watch the scoreboard. He watches for performance and execution. 22 point halftime lead and he was not happy that they didn't perform to his standards. Impressive....... ■ Confident that DL voiced that feeling to his team at halftime and the 2nd half execution was very good. ■ In game adjustments! After the Ducks overcame their sloppiness and the refs to score 14 points, Cal adjusted and stopped the Duck O and moved to 14-10. Both the Duck O and D made adjustments and the Ducks built a 22 point lead. Cal made halftime adjustments, took the 2nd half kick-off and scored with ease. Then Cal forced a 3 and out (not easy to do) Both the OC and DC made adjustments...the result was a 2nd half rout. ■ DL and staff will work on that next 1% improvement all this week. The Duck players will be laser focused for the dangerous trojans. Great teams overcome no matter what..... Go Ducks....its all about beating the spoiled ones. Let them no there is more to come in the BIG....

For me, Oregon's best shot to receive an invite to the CFP, runs thru an undefeated putrid husky team. This season it does matter who our Ducks play in Vegas. The higher our opponent is ranked the better. Follow my empty thought process! Viewer warning, my post involves the huskies winning games. Assuming all top teams win out and rankings stay the same. When tOSU and Michigan play, the loser will drop out of top 4. An unbeaten washington would move into the top 4. Ducks will potentially move to #5. When the Ducks beat the huskies in the title game, that #4 spot will be theirs. If Bama beats The Real Dawgs in the SEC title game (hope not), then it gets dicey. Both teams finish 12-1. However, the Ducks will be a conference champ. Georgia would not. Georgia needs to eliminate Bama feom the equatio Lets say Michigan beats tOSU in the regular season but tOSU gets revenge in BIG title game Or vice versa! Both teams finish 12-1. The loser is not a conference champ but the Ducks have a title. I dont feel a 1 loss little big 12 champ or ACC flag football champ at 12-1 will trump OBD's at 12-1 The committee will not think less of the Ducks when they win out. They will just enhance how they are viewed now as the best 1 loss team in the land. Strength of schedule may be the tie breaker. The invite rests on a thin, subjective line skewered by perception. The PAC title game must matter and the matchup epic. A rematch of the best game of the year would be perfect.. The BCS (mostly biased BS) and CFP committees have placed great value in revenge victories. IMHO, playing a 10th ranked or worse team in the PAC title game may allow other 1 loss champs to jump them. The Ducks need only beat the huskies by 1 point to get an invite. A close game, against a lesser opponent????? I know it is sacrilege to want those s...birds to win any game, however a win over a top 4, unbeaten husky team will land OBD's a CFP spot. Love to read some opposing views from this great forum group. BUT FIRST THINGS FIRST. BEAT CAL! Go Ducks......

Since the start of conference play my predictions have been bold and over estimating the Ducks scoring ability. So to ensure the Ducks score over 50 points... Ducks Win: 38-13 1 TO 3 Sacks 258 passing yards JJ, to ensure a putrid husky win, i agree that usc will simply outscore the dogs. Go Ducks! Beat Cal......

The money may not be an issue for DL and his family. Afterall 5.1 mil a season is great. I am not sure i can support the notion that DL already makes enough money.... Thats not for me to say..... thats for DL and his wife, isnt it? Consider Harbaugh and Ryan Dey are $7 mil plus, with day heading to $9 mil plus. Kelly, Sabin and Sweeny $9:mil plus..All have made the CFP. Only DL can decide the mountains he wants to climb and conquer. I ask myself, if DL makes the CFP doesnt he deserve that type of pay? It would be a great sign of appreciation from the school toward DL. Producers should never have to ask for a pay raise.... Their performance should speak for themselves. First things first...beat Cal.. Go Ducks......

Darren thanks for the timely article! Thankfully former players, well meaning alumni and those who rule from nosalgia weren't the final decision makers.. ... I like Justin Wilcox and no doubt he would do better with the profile and resources at Oregon. Lots of 9-3 and 10-2 seasons...... HELL NO TO THAT........ Oregon football is driven by the money of a business firebrand in PK. Its brand, like Nike is high profile. A exotic Ferrarri fueled with jet fuel. Coach Dan Lanning is a firebrand. Darren not just Bama will be coming after DL. When DL coaches the 2023 team to a CFP appearance or a Natty, another substantial pay raise and extension best be given. DL's salary should be in the top 10 of HC salaries if he makes the CFP. And DL should not have to ask for it, either. Nice thing about DL....he is focused on beating Cal and getting one more 5 star receuit. Go Ducks......