Charles Fischer

I am not liking the looks of this....there will be more undefeated and one-loss teams at the end than I care for the Ducks to compete with for getting into the Playoff. Feels another way to screw Oregon again--even if we were to win out.

Hey Spartan, The short answer to your question is yes, we are blitzing the corners and safeties a ton more than last year. I've written extensively about how Oregon blitzed like crazy in the Eastern Washington game last year--and was not getting to the QB. Thus if you cannot against the Eagles--the risk is not worth the reward of explosion plays against you. It took me a few games last year to figure out that Lanning went into a conservative mode on defense, because we did not have the skill at blitzing or pass rush, and our secondary was not as good as this year's group. So, to mix it up you would see an occasional corner or safety blitz last year--but it was infrequent. We did a ton of simulated blitzes last year where we would blitz four on one side to overwhelm the blockers, and yet be able to drop seven in coverage. This year I am seeing a TON more five and six man blitzes, and tons more corner and safety blitzes, and I love it. I do think a reason we are seeing this is because Lanning is adjusting to the personnel; our corners and safeties are getting to the QB faster than blitzing LBs would, thus it makes sense. Khyree Jackson and in particular, Evan Williams have a flair for it, but it does have risk. One big 20 yard pass play by Utah before the half came when the blitzing safety did not get to the QB, and he threw to an open RB out of backfield before our other field safety could slide over and cover for the blitzing safety. Conventional coaching wisdom is blitzing from the short side, the boundary side of the field, yet I saw some gutty corner blitzes from the wide side that forced the Utah QB to throw the ball away. "The Anatomy of a Blitz" At our get-together in two weeks at a local motel meeting room...I will have a short film session going over a number of items I find fascinating, and one of them is how Oregon designs its blitz package. I want to look at pass-rush moves, and of course--some items on offense that are fun to see develop in slow-motion. I am no expert, and your typical high school coach knows a lot more than I, thus I welcome feedback from others at this film session and we can all learn together. It is great fun...

This whole thread made me laugh, but the fact is, he is different from the other analysts, and half the audience likes him whether we do or not. But it is great fun when he is so wrong so often.,,

Coach Lanning in the post-game interviews confirmed what it appeared to me when watching the game...there were no surprises, as they knew all that was coming. I am working on an article for Monday, but I was stunned at some of the game strategies implemented by Oregon, and delighted with others that I anticipated. To me, this was as much as a coaching victory as a player performance. Yes, I know all the Utah injuries, and frankly--Utah would be quite a different team without the injuries. But boo-hoo; nobody felt sorry for us in 2007 when the Heisman for Dixon and the 'Natty was there for the taking...if not for our injuries. Bottom line, is that this team we played beat USC in the Coliseum, and could beat us. In fact, they kicked our butts the last time we were in SLC. My point? The coaching preparation was extraordinary, and Tosh in his recent interview made reference to how they are working hard at game-prep right up to game time with anything that can help the team win. Then Lanning in the post-game interview admits that additions were made on Saturday morning to the game plan that altered the game. Holy Crap.

When the Huskies play us--they will give us their best. But we will....

As Oregon Media Credentialed--I get a stat pack at the end of games. Sometimes I have the time to share, and here are some dandies to ponder... --This was Oregon's 700th win in the 100+ year history. --The Ducks are No. 1 in the nation for turnovers lost. (Only two, even with the Bucky's first fumble) --Think of it...Oregon has scored at least 35 points in ALL EIGHT games this season. --Scored touchdowns in all five red-zone appearances versus Utah. --Did not allow a single sack? Especially against Ellis, the top sack-master in the nation? Holding Brandon Dorlus was the only way to stop him... --Fourth game this season holding an opponent below 10 points? (Wowsa) --Held Utah to just 28 yards rushing in the first half? (Whew!) --Omigosh. The sixth straight game holding an opponent under 100 yards rushing? (Good Gosh!) --The Oregon offense averaged 6.7 yards per play on the Utah defense? --Jordan James averaged 7.6 yards per carry versus Utah? (Whoa) --Oregon is scoring an average of 45.5 points per game and only giving up 15.6 points per game. (My goals for the season are 40 ppg, and 20 ppg, and we can do it!) --The 2023 offensive line is averaging 215 yards per game rushing. (Love it!) --Our average punt is 46.5 yards? (Holy Crap!) --Oregon's 3rd down conversion has improved to 53%. These stats above confirm the obvious; this is a special year. Soak it up my Duck-Buddies, and savor it.

We got your perspective on this topic...

It is funny how I get to post my prediction score each week, and it does not do me a lick of good. That game...I did NOT see coming, wowsa. But TerryM9 did with a 42-6 predicted score that was only a total of seven points off. I remember when I saw the prediction, and shook my head, as I certainly thought the Utes would score more than six. But credit TerryM9 for keeping the faith! Congrats, and thanks to all who played.

I cannot hardly believe all the ongoing lavish praise for Oregon in the telecast. So many times they noted how physical the Ducks were on both sides of the line! Remember when the narrative on Oregon was that, "they are soft." Now that is just reserved for USC....

Let's start a new bunch of discussion threads!

I was relieved to hear that my suggested defensive game plan aligns with what Coach Aliotti is saying..."since Utah runs the ball 65% of their offensive plays--stack the box, stuff the run, and man coverage on the outside." If we stop the Utes running game, I do not believe that their passing game will outscore Oregon's offense.

Here we are my Duck-Buddies, the thread for pondering the actual game as it happens. Let's discuss before, and during the game! The vast majority of you are GREAT in this thread, but you must remember that this forum is different, as we require civilized discourse. Discussion of negative is fine, but don't vent on us! Rule No. 31d covers GameDay Thread Conduct, and it is not hard for the vast majority of us--just a tiny few who need to reign it in when things don't go well for Our Beloved Ducks. Let's Have Fun Posting During the Game! One of the coolest screenshots I've ever captured. Took a long time to get the precise instant...

Corso was not there. It was 2-2 between the picks.

Agreed. We have big jumps from too many to mention, and where improvement did not take place, (Donte Manning) then portal recruiting solved the problem. Speaking of corners...what growth/development by Jahlil Florence, as I did not see him becoming a starter as he did before his injury.

Pretty cool for a one of own in Eugene...

Yet....a big sack.

Although....

Look at him....doesn't he look more like a stud linebacker than Baseball player?

Sorry, my Duck-Buddy. I disagree. If Ty Thompson is our QB...we are screwed. (IMHO) I do believe in the potential of Luke Moga, and Austin Novosad, but we need a one-year band aid at QB, in my opinion. But that is for the off-season....let's savor this year and all the potential it brings!

OK, now look closely at this because it is FUNNY!

Well, the good news is that Bo won't have any problem sorting out the black helmets vs. the red ones!

And....another Oregon pay-site has confirmed that Oregon has already been contacted by "interested parties" for a number of transfer prospects from a number of teams at key positions.

Can you blame them? (Rumor is they have a very highly rated RB, that could be a Bucky replacement?)

Remember to all....these predictions do not count for the prediction contest in the pinned post at the top. The reason is because I need all the tiebreaker information, and it needs to be in that thread. I do not have time to track down all predictions in other threads, thus only the contest thread counts. Thanks for understanding.