I also believe Raiola would be a mistake. Unless ...

We start raining bombs all game on defenses ( which is what I've been calling for for quite some time now).

Why did we beat Ohio State?

Both times it was because we could pass on them at will.

The QB is the most important and most dangerous position in sports when you can't stop his ability to throw any and everything down your throat.

Unless we get an NFL caliber ( and I truly mean 28 year old dominant studs caliber) OL that can average TEN YARDS A CARRY, I don't believe we will win a Natty running the ball.

Now I happen to believe Lanning is of the Chip Kelly persuasion. He wants to run it down your throat. I believe he is will have to learn like Chip did.

I don't agree with either. But I'm not running the show. So I'll back my man and keep my fingers crossed.

On 1/10/2026 at 10:34 AM, Jemangi said:

I'd say we d best get Mehringer some quality help, Dan knows better than is the only thing I'm certain of.

I was not and am not sad to see Will go. Just my opinion. What a stupid call on first play of game and qb who looked nowhere else and still threw it to the wrong team.

He threw the pass late and behind the ER. It was an inaccurate pass. It wasn't a poor call, it wasn't a poor decision. It was simply poor execution.

My opinion of course.

1 hour ago, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

Oops. I just posted about 9 front four players capable of starting. I figured someone was going to leave with TT and Matayo coming back.

Lanning has his work cut out for him getting his talented front four playing time

He's about 9 deep of starter caliber players for four positions.

7 hours ago, Washington Waddler said:

Addressing two themes of high interest.

1) The lack of Duck butts at the game. The vast majority of Duck fans are not sitting under the roof in club seats at Autzen.

Going beyond the cost of season tickets for most is a major budget consideration, especially if tickets, flights, hotels and car rentals are involved for more than one game. The inequity of geographic game location for west coast fans is obvious. Indiana fans had an 8 drive to the game.

That’s unlikely to change unless markets like Las Vegas, San Francisco and Seattle are willing to ante up to join the circus.

2) Lots of stars vs less stars. As pointed out by others, what Cignetti has put together at Indiana isn’t so much about stars as it is about his eye for developed players from other programs willing to transfer to his.

Dan’s budget allows him to recruit top drawer, and he does a great job at getting some of the best high school talent in both athletic ability and attitude. But, the motivational edge is always going to go to, as Mendoza put it, “the misfits” whose “strong culture and unity” gives them a ‘Dirty Dozen’ mentality that doesn’t require bulletin board material in order to make them want to show up at every game, and show the world the true value of stars.

Dan too gets developed players to transfer, Thieneman and Canady being good examples. But, if there is anything to be learned from Cignetti’s focused strategy, it is a possible sea change in emphasis away from high school starry-eyes to developed players ready to prove themselves on the biggest stage, irregardless of stars.

It's probably a combo of both. We have more athletic ability. They had more experience. Coaches and players. Our coordinators were leaving.

This team is very young. It absolutely overachieved. That simply means Lanning is a damn excellent coach.

The amount is unforced errors look like choking. That is youth. Plain and simple.

We will be back. We fell down the mountain. We're climbing right back up it. That is our destination. That is the journey we're committed to.

Failure is not even trying. Failure is holding on to past results. Failure is blinking your eye.

We will not fail. Our job is to support the team. Id we fail, they'll certainly fail. They do it for us as much as for themselves.

I'll take a thousand cuts and never win a title than to sit in the sidelines. We are elite. We will always be elite so long as we face a thousand cuts.

On 1/9/2026 at 8:35 PM, OregonDucks said:

It’s not the number of wins. It’s how the seasons end and how Oregon performs on the biggest stages time and time again.

Well that stage won't disappear. My motto is "get your a$$ back up. You're a gladiator. Gladiators never quit."

.

NEVER, EVER GIVE UP.

And this forum

And yes. I'm over the analysis of this game, but also the season. There is so much food on the plate about that.

Love my team

Nope.

Still proud of this team. DeBoer said it. There is a fine line between mistakes and excellence.

This team ( the players ) was better than their experience. The coaches had lots to do with that

Now the coaches need to punch above their experience. They're good. I expect they'll be excellent.

If you can't hire them, develop them. That's the theme this off-season. Develop greatness

Lanning got one step further. With less experience. He's on the path.

1 minute ago, kirklandduck said:

This. Every time I've seen Dante's face this season I haven't seen any kind of look in his eye that signals killer instinct like we've seen with Bo and Dillon. No snarl, no angry look. Just deer in headlights.

Agreed. If I'm playing I'd be pissed off. Not in a destructive manner, but with fire my team could see

That, believe it or not is coachable too ( delicately, but it's possible).

Look guys, there are who we thought they were. And we are too. Long enough corrections were necessary in November.

We let them off the hook because the analysts either aren't loudly calling for corrections, or the don't see the trends properly.

Im not a QB whisperer. But I played QB. It's constant repetition even when you're already money.

Saban used to coach explosive passes by their ability to score TDs. That's the kind of diagnosis I'm talking about. I used to think that all the time. Didn't know coaches also feel that way, much less coach it ( that's why Saban is the the GOAT...not me!!!)

39 minutes ago, MikeJ said:

I resisted this for a while, but I'm now convinced that experienced, expensive portal QBs are how titles are won. Indiana and Miami have them. We had them the prior few years. Indiana already secured one for next year. Dante is a transfer but not an experienced ready-made product one. You have to have a seasoned, polished, top QB or you don't have a chance.

I wouldn't use that strategy. Moore has enough talent to "whip butt". These are tendencies picked up before this year.

I would drill the hell out of pocket maneuvering with a guy with this kind of arm talent.

There are probably 150 QBs in the history of football as google as Justin Herbert. When you have a guy with those natural abilities, they still need to be developed.

Josh Allen was a average in college with his coach. Think about that. He has a string arm, has sub par WRs, a so so OL. Look at him now. That's coaching. And the Bills were not works beaters until he showed up.

QBs need to constantly be developed. Even Mendoza ( and let me tell you, he was coaches I to making the okays he makes, so was that damn Fuskies Michael Penix ).

QB Smith Jr should be great. He has that kind of upside. So I expect him to be Great. That should happen.

59 minutes ago, Lrod said:

I know Moore needs another season or maybe 2, but he lacks the killer instinct of a #1 QB... He is not even near Trinidad Chambliss in that aspect

Agreed. Develop it then.

1 minute ago, kirklandduck said:

This. Every time I've seen Dante's face this season I haven't seen any kind of look in his eye that signals killer instinct like we've seen with Bo and Dillon. No snarl, no angry look. Just deer in headlights.

Agreed. If I'm playing I'd be pissed off. Not in a destructive manner, but with fire my team could see

That, believe it or not is coachable too ( delicately, but it's possible).

Look guys, there are who we thought they were. And we are too. Long enough corrections were necessary in November.

We let them off the hook because the analysts either aren't loudly calling for corrections, or the don't see the trends properly.

Im not a QB whisperer. But I played QB. It's constant repetition even when you're already money.

Saban used to coach explosive passes by their ability to score TDs. That's the kind of diagnosis I'm talking about. I used to think that all the time. Didn't know coaches also feel that way, much less coach it ( that's why Saban is the the GOAT...not me!!!)

39 minutes ago, MikeJ said:

I resisted this for a while, but I'm now convinced that experienced, expensive portal QBs are how titles are won. Indiana and Miami have them. We had them the prior few years. Indiana already secured one for next year. Dante is a transfer but not an experienced ready-made product one. You have to have a seasoned, polished, top QB or you don't have a chance.

I wouldn't use that strategy. Moore has enough talent to "whip butt". These are tendencies picked up before this year.

I would drill the hell out of pocket maneuvering with a guy with this kind of arm talent.

There are probably 150 QBs in the history of football as google as Justin Herbert. When you have a guy with those natural abilities, they still need to be developed.

Josh Allen was a average in college with his coach. Think about that. He has a string arm, has sub par WRs, a so so OL. Look at him now. That's coaching. And the Bills were not works beaters until he showed up.

QBs need to constantly be developed. Even Mendoza ( and let me tell you, he was coaches I to making the okays he makes, so was that damn Fuskies Michael Penix ).

QB Smith Jr should be great. He has that kind of upside. So I expect him to be Great. That should happen.

1 minute ago, kirklandduck said:

This. Every time I've seen Dante's face this season I haven't seen any kind of look in his eye that signals killer instinct like we've seen with Bo and Dillon. No snarl, no angry look. Just deer in headlights.

Agreed. If I'm playing I'd be pissed off. Not in a destructive manner, but with fire my team could see

That, believe it or not is coachable too ( delicately, but it's possible).

Look guys, there are who we thought they were. And we are too. Long enough corrections were necessary in November.

We let them off the hook because the analysts either aren't loudly calling for corrections, or the don't see the trends properly.

Im not a QB whisperer. But I played QB. It's constant repetition even when you're already money.

Saban used to coach explosive passes by their ability to score TDs. That's the kind of diagnosis I'm talking about. I used to think that all the time. Didn't know coaches also feel that way, much less coach it ( that's why Saban is the the GOAT...not me!!!)

1 minute ago, kirklandduck said:

This. Every time I've seen Dante's face this season I haven't seen any kind of look in his eye that signals killer instinct like we've seen with Bo and Dillon. No snarl, no angry look. Just deer in headlights.

Agreed. If I'm playing I'd be pissed off. Not in a destructive manner, but with fire my team could see

That, believe it or not is coachable too ( delicately, but it's possible).

9 minutes ago, Santa Rosa Duck said:

Hey Mike West, what does chip and release mean?

Take a TE or a RB and block the edge, then release after a second of contact.

Usually, the LBs are too deep to prevent at least a 5 yard gain. It's best on first and second down.

1 minute ago, HDuck said:

Normally, in score deficits like this, I would say stay with your first team QB.

But, Moore's performance, and the fact there isn't much scouting Indiana could have done on anyone but Moore, suggests try someone else.

Indiana has had a great D-plan both in October and this game. Give them something else to look at.

I would agree usually. This is skill building time. Moore needs pocket navigation skills. Stein needs to chip and release ( trust me, it's there).

Not saying I'm correct, because Moore is probably shell shocked again. He needs to take his lumps. And massive, massive, and I mean ten hours a day film study and discussion is warranted here.

Im not a pro, but if I put in the time, I can show you. And I just might since I'm off work the next 30 days ( to be released beforevspring practice).

We didn't have to embarrass ourselves tonight. The doctor needs to be fired. Not my boy Lanning. The way they self scout and diagnose themselves.

Again Moore should be a #1 pick with the correct skill set drilling. Same with some of the secondary coverage rules.

Unforced errors folks until that deep route TD.

Moore needs to navigate the pocket better. Much better Time to throw deep with good check downs.

OL needs to stay put. The stunts won't work if they don't run with the guy in front of them. Need to chip the ends. That kills the rush.

Not having Whit and Davison is killing us. Hill completely showed why he doesn't get reos. Harris looks fine.

I'm not pleased Stein didn't start chipping the DEs after the second series. We knew that would be necessary. Also, moore did throw the TE open, then missed the timing on the second opportunity.

QB coach and OC not drilling Moore properly in practice. They've seen a season of havoc and haven't adjusted to it. It's not only necessary, it builds more skills for the NFL. Some players need to be forced to improve their weaknesses, and Moore is too talented to waste his skills

I'd never get a media pass for saying this, but Moore will be a waste if he isn't drilled massively on these deficiencies. They can be solved.

I mean it when I say this: these skills can be acquired. Same with our farm boys and the secondary ( should be switching on the cross route conflict pattern instead of staying in man coverage.

We will not see these kinds of questions from the media. Id probably dillo so privately instead as a journalist because, well I can't say. But I know these things.

I'm very proud of this team. It hurts when we lose so close to the ultimate goal.

I just want to them to play hard. That's it.

6 hours ago, OregonDucks said:

Wishing you a smooth surgery and a fast recovery.

Thank you for all that you do on this site. I enjoy your takes.

Go Ducks! Win one for Mike!!!

Thanks,

Surgery went well. Non invasive so I'm just really sore ( which is dangerous because one tends to think they're superman instead of a mere mortal).

Thank Charles. Because he has a gold mine and were really lucky to be able to speak our minds without wanting to nuke the entire comment section.

That's why I write things that we like, this forum compels me to be as good as I can be

51 minutes ago, Hennon2000 said:

Long time reader, first time poster... I wanted to share some thoughts on the offensive and defensive game plans for this game:

Offense

IMO the Ducks advantage is at the pass catching level (Sadiq, Johnson, Benson, Mclellan, Moore & Bryant is the strength)

-Play tempo/hurry-up offense ~60% of the possessions for the first half. This would ideally accomplish three things.

1. Increase the number of possessions over the course of the game, thus increasing the opportunites for the six above.

2. Neutralize the IU sim pressure a bit.

3. Get Dante into a groove early.

I noticed in the TT game this was used early on in the first half, then was abandoned once we got up 13-0 (which was wise). In addition, the only TD we scored against IU was in a quick four play tempo package. We've had success doing this, and I'm hopeful Drew and Will put this into motion tomorrow. There is tons of risk with this strategy as well, thus one must be prepared to modify out of this. If the defense can get stops and/or turnovers, then this strategey will really work. If you get behind by 10 points and your defense is struggling to get stops, I'd modify out of this until you close the gap or get some stops.

-Run tons of the quick passing game (10-20 yard routes), then take shots.

-Pass/run splits ideally will be 50/50, yet I'm open to the idea of going pass heavy early to loosen up the d-line.

-Take the FG's when avilable, point will be a premium.

-Don't go for a 4th and short on the Ducks side of field. Near midfield, 4th and 1, we should go. Anything longer I'd prefer to see a punt.

Defense

-Stop the run, including Mendoza scrambles and designed draws. Our linebackers must tackle much better than they did in the first game.

-Don't leave Theran Johnson alone on any of their receivers, help with Canady or Flowers, Thienaman, etc.. He struggles with tackling in space as well.

-Play clean! No PI calls. IU's offense is deadly efficient (much like our Ducks in 2023). They will move the ball and score some points, we just cannot help them. We helped them out too much the first ime around.

Coaching

- Dan needs to work the officials ahead of the game hard. Like another poster on here mentioned, Cignetti did this big time in the first game. He needs to be on the officials before the game starts to watch for 1. IU O-line holding and 2. IU defense roughing Dante.

Thoughts?

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.

6 hours ago, HappyToBeADuck said:

Since the 1st quarter of the Whisky game OBD's have scored points in every quarter of every game. Thats pretty darn consistent. Those points came from all 3 phases of the Ducks unit. I don't see IU breaking that streak.

Every team and coach in college football knows OBD's can stop any run game. Force IU into 3rd and long and start picking off some desperate throws. MU and TT must hold the edges and contain Mendoza. Dirty up the pocket.

Honestly, the Ducks showed IU nothing in October. . ..nothing

This is the Duck team that can win the Natty. It is in their hands.....

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.

1 hour ago, OregonDucks said:

Kenyon Barner on his podcast said that Coach Lanning was not happy after the James Madison game and “was on everybody’s head” (3:05 below). He let everyone know from the coaches to the players that they did not play up to The Standard.

Hopefully Coach Lanning lit a fire under Coach Stein and company’s behind this week and Coach Lupoi and company can continue to dominate on D.

We are going to need all engines firing to win the next two games, starting with the one one Friday evening.

Go Ducks!!! Just Do It!

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

2 minutes ago, Solar said:

Our new OC is always up in the box and wired directly to Stein and Lanning. I wouldn't mind if Lanning allows him to assert himself at times for critical plays.

Dante is a heck of a ballplayer. If he can keep his eyes up and see the coverage properly AFTER the snap, a huge if, we have a decent chance at winning here.

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.

20 minutes ago, OregonDucks said:

I know this won’t be a popular point of view but Oregon’s 2025-26 offense is not that good.

Oregon has scored under 20 points per game against the best 6-7 teams we have played this season (e.g., Indiana: 13 offensive points, Penn State: 17 points in regulation). Despite the national accolades, Oregon’s offensive line is not very good and is exposed by more athletic fronts (Big Suke said we have 5 guards playing on the line). Dante Moore is not seeing the field or is not willing to pull the trigger. He also tends to try to escape the rush vs. stepping up in the pocket leading to big losses.

Oregon will have to manage the game offensively (like we did against Penn State, Iowa, etc.) and rely on its defense to win the game against Indiana and win the national championship. A former NFL player said we have 7-8 future NFL players starting on our defense. We have the talent and they seem to be peaking at the right time. Perhaps this is what Coach Lanning envisioned when he accepted the Oregon job…

Perhaps the thing that gives me the most hope in the Peach Bowl…Oregon plays its best football under Coach Lanning when we are the underdog and no one thinks we can win (e.g., Penn State White Out, Ohio State at Autzen last season). FEBU!

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.

22 minutes ago, Jon Joseph said:

Mike, you called the Orange Bowl win. Why not Peaches and Cream for OBD?

TTP, it's easy as 1,2,3 - Take The Points!

Thank you, Mike, for the terrific Orange and Peach Bowl coverage, and thank you, Forum Friends, for the terrific comments.

I can't wait to read your article on January 18, 2026, ... 😁 (typed while knocking my noggin.)

Put Out That Cig!

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!