Charles Fischer

Four-star offensive lineman Alai Kalaniuvalu flips back from BYU to sign with Oregon Ducks WWW.OREGONLIVE.COM The old double flip.

Alai Kalaniuvalu verbaled to Oregon, then changed to BYU, and then changed back! This is a position of great need, and quite a development. Besides Oregon and BYU, he had offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Utah, Washington, USC and more! Alai Kalaniuvalu | DuckSportsAuthority N.RIVALS.COM Alai Kalaniuvalu - 4 Star Offensive guard for Oregon on DuckSportsAuthority

Suddenly the objective has changed to "make the Playoff," as opposed to making sure that every team that has a legit chance of winning the 'Natty is in the Playoff. Any team beaten 24-3 by an unranked team late in the season is NOT a serious option to win the NC, IMHO.

There is a rumor that Oregon may use the JUCO transfer, the new corner who is an athletic freak. He is 6'4" and can jump through the roof. He had a pick already this year against Illinois in limited reps, and he might have the bulk, length and speed to help shut down Warren. He's in front, with a safety bracketed behind? Sione Laulea No. 13

This is a fantastic observation, as those fans are impossible to please, and I'm sure he was stunned about the game as well as not wanting to deal with the fans. Not to mention...if they had to use Pepper Spray to break things up, his own safety could have been jeopardized. I'm raising my hand, as I did! As I wrote back then...."this is what you live for as a major college kicker." And I don't think Urban is touching that osu2 job with a ten-foot pole. He is wealthy, and does not need the aggravation of ungrateful, irrational Buckeye fans. What? I am Completely Rational!

Most analysts feel that Oregon is the more complete team, but Penn State could still pull off the win if Oregon, 1) gets stopped in the Red Zone as has happened a few inopportune times this year. A second element that has to go the ‘Lions way is ball-controlling the LOS, and preventing Oregon from very many possessions. Throw in some turnovers as the PSU defense is prone to creating, and a win for the men in white could happen. Their pass rush is the fastest in America getting to the quarterbacks in just a tick over two seconds according to Pro Football Focus. (PFF) The matchup of Oregon’s heralded offensive tackles versus their edge rushers is fascinating in itself, as Abdul Carter, No. 11, is considered the No. 1 Edge Rusher in the nation and a top-5 pick in the NFL Draft. He and defensive end Dennis Sutton disrupt passing games, as the Penn State defense likes to go with “man” pass defense in the secondary. This allows the ‘Lions to crowd the box to stuff the run game, and with their elite athletes…it works. Historically, when the PSU offense plays a tough opposing defense, they don’t score as much. Against Ohio State, they only scored two field goals on offense, although that is because the Buckeyes had two goal line stands that prevented touchdowns. Their offense is more predictable than most teams, and should allow for a better defensive game-plan by DC Tosh Lupoi. Penn State’s superlative tight end, Tyler Warren has twice the catches of any other receiver on their team, thus it will be interesting to see who is matched up with him. I’m thinking that in obvious passing situations, we will see bracket coverage with a linebacker like Devon Jackson, and a safety over-the-top. Stopping Warren is a must, and if done will shut down the PSU offense. Penn State has an injury at offensive tackle, and the replacement is adequate, but holding off Burch and Uiagalelei will be difficult. The real weakness of the entire PSU team is at Wide Receiver, as they simply do not get much separation and cannot be counted upon. Thus, I could see Oregon going with man-free, with man coverage on the WRs, and an extra safety on Warren? The running game for Penn State is not going to go as well against Oregon’s interior defensive line, as stopping the run is the Ducks primary goal. With an Oregon lead, the PSU offense is not built for massive catchup unless they turn to some new trick plays, as we saw in the USC game. As long as Warren is kept to a reasonable number of receptions, I do not see Penn State scoring more than 20 points against this Duck defense. Interesting fact: only Texas and Oregon defenses are in the top ten in the nation for grades by PFF for both defensive line grades, and linebacker grades. The nation is about to become acquainted with the Lanning/Lupoi defense that, due to Oregon’s long-term reputation for offense, is about to be discovered. PFF also gives the PSU offensive line a ranking of only 57th in the nation, and that makes going up against Burch, Harmon, Caldwell and Uiagalelei that much more difficult. In my view, there are two major components that will lead Oregon to victory, and the first one is the playing surface. If they were playing on grass outside in the cold winter temperatures, then it would favor Penn State. But Lucas Oil Field is indoor, on fast turf like our indoor Practice facility next to Autzen. I do not see ‘Lion defenders keeping up with Oregon’s speed, especially at receiver. The second component is how PSU likes to play “man” pass defense, and with one starting corner out….Tez, Evan, and Traeshon will thrive against a “man” defense as shown against Ohio State. However, an even bigger advantage comes with how Stein likes to throw to our running backs who catch extremely well. I believe that both Jordan James and Noah Whittington will burn the ‘Lion linebackers badly, especially considering this is a base element of Oregon’s passing attack. This is a GREAT matchup in our passing game, IMHO, if our offensive tackles can win against the PSU pass rush the majority of the time. The biggest difference is going to be at wide receiver, and I expect to see Oregon begin to take the lid off the passing offense. Sure, we scored a couple against Washington and others, but Stewart can do double-moves and get open all day. Throw in Tez for third-down conversions, along with a rested team? Oregon is poised to take off! My score prediction will appear in our OBD Prediction contest, although most say it will be a six or seven point Oregon victory. Even a number of PSU media pundits admitted that Oregon has a few more weapons, but our young men need to play their best, and get a lead as soon as possible. What can you add?

Or take scalps....as they did in the movie!

The 5-Star CB Na'eem Offord indicated that he is graduating from HS early to get to Oregon. So we may see him in Spring Football.

Purchase got passed in the rotation by Jaedon Moore, No. 56 who got a sack in the game. We have had as many as 12 Edge rushers, and it stands to reason that whoever is not playing will transfer. I am sad about it too, but Lanning is simply trying to recruit tons of great players, find out who is best and play them, while the others can transfer. Since Lanning has recruited more Edge rushers last year, this year, and yet after another before the February signing--I am assuming that Blake is on his way out. Sorry.

"An upgrade?"

Another Oregon team that could be special! Oregon women won today as well!

So sorry...it makes me very depressed...

These guys KNOW they can find a way to win. Whew!

Whew!

Oregon Ducks unveil uniforms for Big Ten Championship Game DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM The Oregon Ducks showed off the uniforms that they will be wearing for the Big Ten Championship game vs. the Penn State Nittany Lions.

OK...I am not wild about this, but perhaps a physical mentality against Penn State is the intention?

This is how you have a top-heavy conference, and I'm all for it if we're on top!

I love this...

Duck Baseball Coach Waz might be pretty happy too!

I FEEL for the fans...

What the heck did I get myself into?