HappyToBeADuck

This year may be the year that the chaos forces change. The forming of the alliance puts ESPN/SEC invitational at risk. Don't think Fox or streamers wouldn't jump to televise the true playoffs. This year the deck is stacked against the committee Head to Head with Ducks over the Bucks. Hope they both finish 12-1 and conference Champs. An undefeated Cincinnati Group of 5. REALLY WAKE? Wake Forest- undefeated conference champ. A 12-1 Oklahoma conference champ. A 11-1 ND. (TV Eyeballs) And Bama over Georgia, both 12-1 No way they get left out.... Think of the Alliance teams who will be left out In that scenario, I feel the Ducks play Michigan, MSU or Buckeyes in Rose Bowl. Hoping for the formers not the latter.

Steven A Great ponder points. I don't think AB had enough time in 2020 to understand all the nuances of JM's offense. Spot on... And it took that stinging Stanford loss to wake up the entire offense. Whatever happened during the bye week between JM and the players, we need more of. It could have gone either way. Coach not getting thru to player or vice versus. Either way, let's hope the understanding, communicating and execution continues. Wouldn't 45 to 50 points on the puppies look good foe the Ducks?

That's a pretty accurate list from top to bottom Good observation based on common sense. Common sense has never been a part of the committee's rational. The committee's eye test criteria: 1. What's best for ESPN 2. What's best for SEC 3. Give OSU benefit of the doubt 4. When in doubt see 1-3

Offense.... after this season I could take 13 games of BORING as we then prepare for the ESPN Invitational. Must admit watching DTR get pounded all day in the UCLA game was fun to watch.

Charles, it was fun. The offense, behind superb team blocking, scored at will. The Duck punter might not have had fun. The Ducks shut him out, zero punts. Your article sums up the day, thank you. Something happened to the offense during the bye week. It appears they took the loss to heart. Credit to the players and coaches, both. IMHO, AB was not fully ready to execute the offense before the bye week.. Just the best option. Congratulations AB, you are more than just the best option ... Nice to see the offense not shoot itself in the foot with penalties and turnovers. Especially in the red zone. Credit to the coaches and players for cleaning that up. Go Ducks......go 1-0 each week in November and the first week of December. (we fans can't help but look ahead after we ponder) Your reward probably Pasadena. But keep up this improvement each week because with the chaos this season your reward could be facing Georgia. Really Happy?

Spot on Just Ducky Gosh I am drinking sour grapes very early this year. GO DUCKS.....

Just solidifies that the PC is nothing more than an average bowl selection committee. Just pick the teams that bring the most fans and the most television eyeballs. We should maybe just rename it to The Most Benjamin's Generated Playoffs.

There are a number of teams who could potentially jump ahead of Oregon. And as previously mentioned things usually play out This will test the ESPN/SEC/BIG puppet committee for sure. After all, head to head and common opponents have been used before to keep the unclean out. It's interesting that if Michigan State were to lose one game and then beat OSU, MSU would hold the tie breaker. If Michigan wins out, beats OSU and MSU loses just 1 game, MSU holds the tie breaker over Michigan. Head to head settles conference tie breakers. Head to head matches matter. We shall see if it truly matters in the coming hours. Either way, Go Ducks 1-0 this week. Thrash the puppies up North. Upperclassmen please remind our young stars how much hatred exists between these 2 rivals.

On defense when these youngsters are juniors and seniors, look out. Maturity and playing time together build trust. Trust, coupled with high level talent can lead to success. Of course KT and NS will be playing on Sundays at that point. Critical that our top recruiting staff bring those replacements to Oregon On offense, hard to tell the future. However is sure like our chances with the ever improving, AB. Here's to AD'S and KT''s last 5, 6 or 7 games with the Ducks. Haywarduck thanks for posting and sharing your thoughts. Really enjoy them and look forward to more...

Dr. JacksPlaidPants . Good observation and welcome. Just re watching the game now. Will replay that sequence and see.

My hat is off to AB. I love that he owns his mistakes, never stops doing what it takes to win. That's a leader. Happy for him. Proud of him. He plays to win. Consider that the Oklahoma true freshmen QB got thrown into a big game, trailing. He was ready when his opportunity arrived. TT and Butterfield just may not be ready. Colorado defense had no answer yesterday. TT made a young players mistake, hope he learns from it. He's one play away from being a starter. Now is the time to be prepared. Even without the 1's playing, TT has to make better choices. Perhaps AB was not ready to lead in September and early October. But he was the best choice. He continues to work, learn and grow. His game play results prove it. Improving each week. 7-1 is scoreboard. 8 games in, the young freshman have not proved they can be the #1 QB. That privilege is earned in practice . AB continues to earn that privilege...

Some interesting takes on this. As a head coach, any head coach, your goal is 1-0 every week you play. During the game there probably are zero thoughts of Georgia, BYU or any team. Just what is at hand before you. ( us fans get the privilege to looking ahead. It's our duty) Must admit I had an uneasy moment when TT threw the pick. After all, Colorado was moving and scoring with ease against the 2's and 3's. This team, the crowd, the fan base and the members on this sight did not need a potential one score game. Again.... MC made coaching decisions to win the game. I give him his due. Awesome game by the players. On a day where AB and the offense moved the ball and scored at will, TT should have made a better choice on that play. With more time and the willingness to improve I am sure he will learn from this and grow. This youngsters mistake did not cost the team the game. Hopefully, down the road, the lesson learned wins the team a game. After all, TT is just one play away from being the number one QB.... Go Ducks. Win this week, TT, 2's and 3's work harder and smarter this week. Come home from the land of outer darkness next Saturday 8-1.

Goodness Charles, your observation, analysis and explanation was very impressive. Thank you for taking the time to provide the picture that gave us what AB could or should have seen. As you and others have consistently pointed out, football requires a 60 minute game plan on both sides of the ball...... Within the 60 minute game plan the players execute in seconds what is practiced repeatedly. This is just one of those times that AB made the choice to play away from his skill set. That young man is a powerful, yet elusive runner with the ball in his hands. You are so right that stepping inside the Dye block nets yardage and takes another 35-40 seconds off the clock. That's probably the worst case scenario if AB runs it. He may not be as fast as MM was but he may have got a fresh set of downs or even scored. End game, game over. Based on the picture, the solid O line was blocking to the right and the play call had a protection blocker (Dye) for AB. Even though from MC and JM 's comments the play was designed to pass for the score.... The fluid game of football still allows the QB to make split second decisions. I have been a big supporter of AB, still am. But in this case " he chose poorly"... Thank goodness this is a team game because the defense came in and saved the victory. Again....... Enjoy the day fellow Duck lovers. Looking forward to your comments, feelings and laying my head on the pillow, 7-1.

So many well thought out comments on this subject. Thanks for sharing all of them because it shows the wide range of feeling and emotions on this site. Tannen knows better. Charles I stopped listening to him because at times he just doesn't do his homework. Lazy and spins his narrative. I wish the game broadcasters would spend more time telling us who made the tackle than talk for the sake of talking. The game before them is their mission. Stick with that. We will see if Brock Huard brings up something from 4 weeks ago or calls a good game. The Ducks and AB played poorly and didn't close out Stanford. That is past news. They have rebounded nicely. Hope they keep it going Darn the puppy just destroyed the shoelaces on my golf shoes. Wait, squirrel. Go Ducks.

Really nice to have the young QB's who will hit those long bombs to him. This youngster can get serious separation. This is MC 's strength, recruiting. Can't wait for that LOI to come in.

Depends which team shows up for the Ducks.... The team that played Ohio State and UCLA. Then none of the teams on the schedule, including the South champ, will beat the Ducks and we are off to the Rose Bowl. The team that showed up for the other 5 games, then the Beavers will be a tremendous challenge. The Utah game will be a big challenge but the Ducks prevail, once again on the big stage. Just hope they don't have to drain the tank against the Utes. The Ducks will need it all for the Beavers. The best scenario is for the Beavs to be 9-2 and our beloved Ducks 10-1. With those records it should be a nationally televised game. Once again the big stage. Besides the Ducks will be out to prove the committee wrong and that they belong ranked above the Buckeyes.

Great observation and analysis Charles. Thanks.... This group is growing into a force to be reckoned with. Actually find myself excited about this D unit coming on the field. Fun to watch them play. They relentlessly pounded DTR. Hoping for more this weekend against the Buffs.

Wish it was Saturday..... Ducks 49-3. 3, 4 345 Go Ducks.

Duck 1972 Good post and spot on. These young men have responded in spectacular fashion. Numerous #3's have had to step in at the last minute and fill the next man up mantra. How many game time player scratches have occurred? Or in games injuries? That's why I call the players first responders. Based on your thoughts in your post, the results, 6-1 are outstanding. I am a sales and customer service trainer. 43 years and still counting. The training goal is a very satisfied customer at a good profit. Why I have a job is because it's hard to achieve without the staff receiving experienced training Why do customers end up mad and wanting to see the manager? Why do great Duck fans boo or criticize? Because their personal expectations and the reality of what happened did not meet! I hope all of us can agree that the Duck team goal is to win the game. For the fans who expect a blow out game then the reality didn't meet their expectation. That's what drives all the emotions and thank goodness Charles created this awesome safe haven. Sorry for the long post. Go Ducks...

On the surface it appears to be a better situation for AB. IMHO, AB appears to be reactionary or instinctive to the defense as the plays unfold. He doesn't always make the right decision but who does? He does make alot of good decisions. With JM in the booth all AB gets is the adjusted play call with about 15 seconds left on the play clock. Then bam....they run the play. When AB comes to the sideline he doesn't have JM right in his face, ear and head. Not saying that's bad but maybe that constant, instant information can't be processed without confusing AB. JM is a darn good play caller. Just ask Cals and Bruins coaching staffs And for the most part AB and the offense execute those play calls with positive results. Go Ducks......

The fan base is hungry for a blow out win. Dominate from the get go, get the crowd involved from the opening kick off. The fired up crowd will fire up the big time recruits attending the game. Autzen game day is a special experience. Those on this site who have attended games know the feeling. They players on the field know that feeling. Charles is so right.... WIN BIG. Then great things will happen. The fan base IMHO, love the players. This is a special group of game day first responders. They answer the bell. Coach, give them a game plan that works to their strengths. Then turn them loose. Go Ducks, start fast and go for the knock out punch early. Then rinse and repeat.

30duck as you know many people are uncomfortable with change. Others don't care. .. Many pros and cons to this. If the PAC has any plans to expand then consider leaving it alone. If it could make more money for each school then go for it. Having your top 2 teams by record play for the title makes a great deal of sense. However, strength of schedules will not be equal. Someone will cry, unfair! Go to an 8 game conference schedule, play your 2 alliance partner games and get after it. Just don't change for the sake of change. For once the PAC needs to make quality decisions that enhance the conference profile.

Well we don't have to travel too far into the past to hear how wrong the ESPN talking heads can often be... Aka: GameDay last Saturday! I may have missed it but I thought all the crew picked the Bruins. Not sure anyone can pick either way on the 2021 Ducks. I love this team. They epitomize one of the first 20th centuries sports slogans from ABC's Wide World of Sports; "The thrill of victory or the agony of defeat" I may have missed the exact wording but this team captures the theme and spirit. Go Ducks. Finish this week 1-0

Many great posts on this topic in the thread. Just a few thoughts.... I agree with Durango Jim that MC probably doesn't check the social media boards. Probably cares nothing for these comments. I agree with DanLDuck he wants to protect the players. MC truly cares about his players, their families and he sells family to his recruits. When MC, his staff and players win their 3rd PAC 12 Championship in December 2021, he will care about his salary. The AD and money boosters best consider moving him to $7 million plus. Why? Because other schools who want top 10 recruiting classes and championships will pay that and more. Just guessing that SC may come calling for JS at our little brother rival. Boy he is under paid...he won't be undervalued. Results matter!

Joshua thank you for the great explanation and examples on how the offense took what the Bruins gave them JM 's game plan and intricate scheme was executed very well by the players. Sure we had a few mistakes along the way but CK and his staff either didn't or couldn't make the adjustments. The defensive coaching staff also made the adjustments needed to shut the Bruins down for 2 quarters. And the D played with their hair on fire. CK and his defensive staff again didn't make or couldn't make the adjustments. Who was the better coached team last Saturday? Whose players executed better? Well done players and we'll done coaches. Let's continue to go 1-0 this week. Maybe, just maybe we can settle the issue early and I can cancel my visit with the doctors. You know for high blood pressure and anxiety..... Go Ducks!