Mike West

I like the strategy. On offense, that Sim pressure can be cracked. I just don't have the time to at present to show what I have discovered. If I can muster enough energy, I will break it down for you (sorry friends, I am going to be dealing with post surgery collateral damage-and its all for the better). I see it, but Moore executing it is the key-which is why I hope the staff has been giving him mass simulated havoc in practice, and plenty of scenarios shown on film over and over again. Its muscle memory over the short week, but it is absolutely the key to victory this week. On Defense, I really believe Lupoi must force everything to the box. No outside running allowed-especially Mendoza. I expect lots of natural pressure on the QB. I really think the defense is coming to play. I just have the feeling the defense wants to shut everyone up. Same with the offense. Again, this is all hunch, but if I see it, what does the staff see? What are they cooking up being far more up close and personal with the players. It boils down to preparation and execution. I like your thoughts about it and I believe that can work.

Scoring in every quarter since October. That is phenomenal. Imagine if they executed like they did in September...This team has far more upside than any team in the playoff field. Moore can blow everyone away if he steps up to his potential.

Thanks for the update. I really hope Lanning lit up his analysts and his new coordinators. As far as I'm concerned, they should be handling a huge load of prep for this week. Obviously, you'd like Stein and Lupoi dialed in, but that is unrealistic given they have massive responsibilities with their new jobs. I have only had maybe six hours this week to study. I'm tired. I'm going into surgery tomorrow morning (non invasive thank God, but it's still surgery). I have a lot on my mind. Even if I was going into surgery and had to coach, I'd be sleeping 3 hours a night max. I can rest when I'm dead as far as I'm concerned. We may never have another Semi final appearance (doubt it). That's my take. This staff has got to drill the players with the best information, providing the best simulations possible. And of course, its the same for the players. The players need the rest, but they certainly can put in overtime hours to prep for this game. I'm making sure Dante Moore throws as many uncomfortable passes possible until he is comfortable (with being uncomfortable and executing precisely). The coaches are allowed a limited time every week with the players, so how they prep the team (and get the players to do the extra homework) really matters. Indiana is foolproof, not unbeatable. We have more talent across the board, and if applied, we should be able to cake walk this game-even against a machine like Indiana. I am telling anybody that visits this forum for decorum, we only need to execute to win. If and only if we max out tomorrow? Nobody can beat this team. Not Ohio State at its best, and especially Indiana. Two games. This one first. I expect some injuries this week because I expect the hardest hitting I've ever seen out of OBD. It matters that much (take that SEC). If I ever thought I could really coach when I was in my twenties, I would be savoring every second of this era. We are witnessing excellence on a different level. After Alabama got smoked, Kalen Deboer said there is a fine line between excellence and failure. I watched that game in full finally. Even with Bama's outright flaws, they should have been in that game. They are good enough to beat Indiana. That's how good Indiana has been. But they haven't met their match in execution. I want to see that tomorrow.

Oregon 24-14 1 2 255

Solar, You have some very good takes, and they're always in the back of my mind. You painted out that Moore has trouble reading zone coverage, and I believe that has played out to form in key situations. Indiana uses zone blitzes (weren't you the one that pointed that out?), and Moore needs to "catch em in the act". I found a great YouTube vid that opened my eyes. If Moore see it, he can literally rip the Hoosiers apart. I think Stein saw that the first time, but Dante just missed it. I'm wondering what Indiana changes, and what kind of prep Moore got this week... As usual, in looking forward to your comments about this game.

You are not pouring rain in the parade at all. Breaking that trend is paramount. It totally has to happen. And it will occur while losing two coordinators. It's like climbing Spencer's Butte having to carry both of them. I'm imagining that round table from the Ohio State "Ducks versus Then" take when Lanning was specifically pointing out what to do and when to do it and who to use. That's what I'm seeing myself, and if there's one thing I know about Lanning, it's that he knows the game. I believe Lanning is going to be more directly involved in this game, because he needs to be. That is going to be a factor tomorrow.

We still have to cross our fingers Jon. We have yet to see the kind of complete game from OBD that Indiana has against the best this year!

Drake, You're into a theme that I also will play out in this game. Not only will motivation be key, but I believe we will dominate the line of scrimmage. And I think people will be surprised. Could it be the new coordinators are already impacting the perform if this team? As mentioned above, did that 9 AM start effect the offensive line? If reports are accurate, we will see a very intense output form OBD. I sure hope so, because if they come with a killer instinct, this is going to be a brutally physical game

Good points. I keep hearing Indiana is the better team. I believe they are the more complete team. They use veteran players, their staff has been together for ten plus years, and they eliminated the flaws they had last year Ohio State and oregon have more raw talent, and Indiana took away that advantage. But it required mistakes. Penn State even exposed the talent gap, so it boils down to execution. I keep coming back to the ifs. If Oregon executes, they will shock everyone. I'm Julie Andrews walking along the Swiss mountainside singing the hills are alive with the sound of music. Because I'm just getting the feeling Lanning has out more responsibility in his analysts and new coordinators. I've finally been able to direct a little more details, and if I see it, they do. Moore has a chance to light up Indiana in a way that will surprise people, and it may be necessary because I also believe Indiana is going for the jugular early.

Steven, Logic completely says Indiana takes this game hands down. They look unstoppable. The eye test shows it, their experience (players and coaches) seem insurmountable, and they just don't give you many chances to beat them. Talent is overrated, and Indiana has proven it. I do think talent will matter in this game, and I think the Ducks, despite the evidence, pulls this one out.

Triphibius, You've added much to the discussion of what we've been looking at. I hadn't put much stock into the 9 am playing time (but I did find out the Orange Bowl usually the last bowl on New Year's Day). I hope Harris plays. We need hum. I believe that Oregon route Indiana IF Moore processes what he sees accurately because Indiana gave him 3 TDs he didn't see. Ifs and butts...candy and nuts. This game has a chance to be really fun.

Thanks Smith 72. I enjoy writing, but I especially enjoy the discussion after. Talk about great insights and perspectives, I learn more than you can imagine from the forum.

Nice additional perspective "Happy". I didn't think about the motivation factor entering the battle in Eugene. Not to mention Dante Moore admitted he was shaken by Indiana, and didn't lead as effectively in the game. There truly are lots of "ifs" in this game. Execution, mistake free play, and making plays when absolutely necessary. Motivation will be key. Thanks for that nugget of info.

Geeze, The comments are of the charts! Charles (Forum Royalty), This is what I call throwing the receiver open. The first case may be a little late, but both were open. The second case requires the kind of trust and touch that should be developed in practice because it requires precision. In both instances, it requires guts to throw knowing you may get hit, AND fitting the pass in tight windows(though the first screenshot is a clear case of TDs to either of them). The other skill Dante needs work on is feeling out the pocket better. He needs to recognize when to shuffle into the pocket, or set his his get quickly enough to deliver a pass. Moore walked (ran) into several sacks this year. Even if he leads OBD to a time this year, he needs to come back. He needs more experience against full speed scenarios isn't used to seeing.

In my mind, the only difference between these two teams is the level of execution.