I actually thought the CBs played well today.  

 

I believe the layoff hurt (the team was too slow to the Ohio State's speed - they weren't game ready for a full half and it was over by then).

 

Will Stein did not prepare well for Ohio State's adjustments.  One advantage the Buckeyes had was Maryland showed the blueprint, and only Ohio State had the personnel to execute it.

 

Stein was ill prepared for dealing with the kind of talent capable of neutralizing the speed OBD have at WR.  He'll learn from that lesson because WR screens and perimeter game will not suffice against the kind of talent t Ohio State has (and any team in the future with that kind of talent).

 

Dan Lanning will win a Natty when he teaches his linebackers and safeties to take away the QBs options.   READ CAREFULLY: DO NOT EVER LOOK AT THE QB.

 

Josh Lupoi will win National DC of the year if he teaches his DEs/OLBs to forever seal the edge.  No DEs sliding to the B or C Gap.

 

Moses has spoken.  The tablets have been thrown to the Israelites.  The Red Sea has been parted.  

 

Ohio State had the one benefit OBD did not have: a set of teams that completely revealed how to slow down their offense.  Maryland and Michigan showed how to use their secondary, and DL to slow Stein's offense to a crawl. 

I guess I need to shut up.  
 

I might need to turn this game off.  
 

‘’The End

Looks like OBD are shaking off cobwebs.

They blitzed and left Texas’ best WR in one on one. On 4th and 12.  Unfortunate strategy.  ASU had their shot though.  Dilly is very impressive.  Too bad it got away from them.

Can anybody tell me why kickers stopped kicking punts to the sideline when they’re trying to pin offenses inside the ten? Asking for a friend.

On 1/1/2025 at 2:21 PM, Mike West said:

They ran that TD play against Tennessee.  Poor situational planning there.  And Lupoi has decided to go man to man.  Bad choice.  
 

This defense absolutely must seal the edges and play zone coverage.  Heck. Just stand still if need be.  Let them run to you.  Don’t chase them for crying out loud.  
 

 

And quit looking at the QB.  Reed covers that and probably intercepts that pass, or cuts off Smith’s route if he just looks at Smith/.

 

My pet peeve violated already.

They ran that TD play against Tennessee.  Poor situational planning there.  And Lupoi has decided to go man to man.  Bad choice.  
 

This defense absolutely must seal the edges and play zone coverage.  Heck. Just stand still if need be.  Let them run to you.  Don’t chase them for crying out loud.  
 

 

I totally agree.  Would be a waste of time trying to stop him playing 1 on 1 against him.

 

Better to force him to catch short passes all game.

 

The guy is already NFL caliber.  Muhammad (and Reed and Manning) are too small to handle his physical game. 

On 12/31/2024 at 4:41 PM, 30Duck said:

Sad that this isn't even surprising. 

It's the kind of thing that used to be a regular part of fandom about the time the O was placed on Skinner's Butte.

 

Think Animal House.  

 

Toilet Paper in trees used to be a big thing too.  

 

Oregon State kidnapped Oregon's Homecoming Queen ( I believe the year OBD went to the Rose Bowl-noy sure, but the kidnapping happened). 

 

These days, you'd get arrested for such 'juvenile' antics.  No harm, no foul as far as I'm concerned.

 

Nobody died.  We paint the thing every year anyway, so what's the big deal.  If girls just want to have fun, why can't guys?  

 

Brings back memories.  And yes, we got yelled at damn near every day.  Somehow, us old geezers are doing pretty damn good. 

34-31 Ducks

 

1 TO

1 Sack

300 Yards Passing

On 12/30/2024 at 10:16 PM, Nevada Dawg said:

I applaud almost all of this post with one exception: I am not sure PSU ransacks Boise State. In fact, if Boise can play ball control with their run game, they could be in this one until the very end. However, I have not watched Boise very much this year and could be very wrong, but I am certainly not cowed by Penn State.

Ironically, it was BSU's QB that impressed me.  I was sure PSU would shut Jenty down, and  keep Boise under ten points.  They did get a cheap TD off of a blown coverage, but BSU's QB played much better than I expected.

 

Again, Penn State under performed.  They really can't throw the ball.  Not enough to win the big games.  

Oh I’d take Bama fan any day.  Ohio State fans were complaining about Day losing this year BEFORE they even played a game.  
 

Ryan Day is an excellent coach.  Top shelf by far.  His fan base better hope they don’t  lose him because I don’t see ANYBODY hitting the level of success he’s already reached.  Not to mention maintain the level of excellence Ohio State has been known for…for decades.

 

If he loses Wednesday, they’re going to complain.  But they just don’t realize that defense isn’t as excellent as they’ve been given credit for.  They have fundamental flaws that have been exploited for years.  Elite offenses own that unit.  
 

OBD have the same issue, so it will really come down to who makes more plays on defense.  
 

At least our fans can handle reality (at least better than Ohio State fans).

On 12/30/2024 at 12:29 PM, 30Duck said:

I'm definitely not saying this out of preference. If Beck was still at QB, no doubts. But losing the starting QB has to account for something, and maybe it is recency bias, but Penn State just scares me now. 

Penn State shouldn’t scare you.  Especially if you heavily scrutinized their playoff game.

 

We made them look much better on offense than they are in my opinion.  I was extremely disappointed in their offense.  They reverted right back to how they played Ohio State.

 

I’m not impressed.  I think they ransack Boise State, but they will have trouble scoring in the Semi Finals.  

Oh but I want OBD to win so bad.  To shut them all up.  
 

Outside of Duck Nation, it feels like nobody wants Oregon to win the Natty.

 

FEBU

On 12/27/2024 at 9:35 AM, Lrod said:

I cant remember the last undefeated number 1 team who is more written off than Oregon.  

 

Everyone in media wants to be the first to call for an Oregon loss.  Even Vegas...

 

They literally will say "they almost lost to Idaho" in the game previews.  lol

 

Penn St put up this number on them.  but will disregard we put up an easy 45 on them.  

 

Game is taking to long to come.  I want this W bad.  We will be underdogs to Texas in everybody's eyes if the two were to meet..lol

Well believe it or not, Georgia and Texas will be favored as well if we face either of them.  

 

 All three squads have more talent quite frankly.  Especially on defense.

 

Dillon Gabriel has been the measurable the sports books, FPI and eye test can't account for.

 

I want to show why, but it makes me want to say what I want to do, which isn't going to happen.  

 

I happen to believe one simple adjustment on defense would just about shut down everyone's running game.  Which is ironic, because we still have trouble stopping lethal passing attacks.  

 

Again, it's a waste of breath explaining what I'd like to see because frankly, I'm not the DC. So I get to fret because I know if I see it, the guys that get paid millions see it.  

 

The one thing that gives me hope is the defense has yet to allow momentum go against them for more than two series on the field. They kill momentum enough times to allow our offense to outscore teams. That saved OBD against both OSU and PSU. 

 

Dillon Gabriel is going to be the reason we win it all. As long as Stein gives him multiple options to complete passes, OBD have a chance to make history.  Because we're going to have to score 40 plus every damn game.

 

We're basically looking at Oregon/UW circa 2023 the next three games.  Get your popcorn out because fireworks are going to be on full display the next 4-12 Quarters.  

On 12/26/2024 at 10:28 AM, DuckFan93 said:

I think Stein is good, but I do wish that he would call fewer lateral passes and more vertical passes.    I know it depends on the match-up, but I was surprised to see that he didn't call more run plays against PSU in the 2nd half of the B1G CCG, when we had lots of success.   Instead plays after plays of lateral passes went nowhere and kept the opposing team closer than they should've been...   Hope he will truly out-coach Chip in the Rose Bowl!

I've actually been hoping he'd run a Sequential play off the bubble/tunnel screens.  

 

This is a perfect game to unload a couple with a check- down option.. 

 

Stein has created a short game juggernaut.  Corners and safeties are going to look for those 5-8 yard routes Wednesday.  

 

No better time to pull a "Marcus Arroyo"and steal a TD going against his typical screen with a fake block, straight upfield fade/seam combo.

The SEC and B1G could entirely settle this by scheduling the other p2 in November.  Then SOS will truly be on display.

 

Better yet, leave games open in each of the "P4"/G5 conferences in late October to late November so the contenders can weed out the Pretenders.  

 

Will they do that?  Probably not.

 

  I would love to have seen a Minnesota versus Ole Miss in Minneapolis one year, and a USC versus Bama in Tuscaloosa.  Indiana at South Carolina.  A&M versus Miami.  Missouri versus SMU.

 

The possibilities are wonderful.  The impact enormous.  The TV ratings close to playoff type numbers for the teams still in contention. Better yet, it would preserve what makes college football different than the NFL (a pull for your alma mater and rooting for the teams to beat the teams you hate).  

 

All the teams would be who they are, and we would get a mini playoff for the main contenders, and exposure of the true depth of each power conference the first and second week of November, maybe the last week of October. That would clean up a lot of mystery about who is qualified.

 

But the SEC won't do that because their true depth would be on display.  But Indiana would have been exposed.  South Carolina would have had another Clemson like matchup to display their level in comparison to Bama and Ole Miss.

 

Bama and Ole Miss could state their case on the field instead of  hiding behind their conference. Notre Dame would have to prove they could handle more than just the ACC. Indiana, Miami, SMU, Clemson, Kansas State, Colorado,ASU and BYU would had their shot at showcasing  their status.

 

It might even work in lieu of the CCGs.  That way, Ohio State can face Tennessee before the playoffs, and Oregon could have displayed what they were against Bama or Ole Miss since both of them were supposedly going to be favorites against the spread.

 

What I'm saying is a little creativity would go very far to separate the wheat from the chaff while still preserving the beauty of college football.

 

The end of the regular season can function like the.'play in' games in the NCAA basketball tourney.  Some kind of format to make the end of the season a TV bonanza while people talk about who is actually deserving.  The playoff committee could still be a part of the process because let's face it, controversy sells.  

 

The SEC could toot its horn and demonstrate their belief they are a better conference.  The ACC and Big12 could show their Boise State circa 2004 chops.  Notre Dame would been exposed without really losing much status with a decent showing (their defense impressed me this year, not sold on their offense though).

 

I guess I like to write novels, but long story short, the P2 can take their regular season money with their power contracts, while the other p2 can get some good TV money from the deal.  Even the contending G5 could get in the game.  

 

This kind of format would allow the P2 their power,, while providing some financial assistance to the P2 and the G5 contenders.  College Football would still look like College Football and fans outside the P2 would still be interested in the P2 ( I don't think that will happen if the P2 go down the road they'd like to go).

 

In my opinion, this comes down to greed versus protecting the sanctity of college football.  We know the SEC has more talent in their region.  We know the P2 are way better than the rest.  The TV execs can get their main playoff matchups without soiling college football. It's up to the universities to fight for the game. 

On 12/21/2024 at 12:16 PM, JabbaNoBargain said:

Far more legit question. 2 loss runner up from ACC versus 3 loss SEC outfit. They clearly don’t have the same level of roster imo.

10-3 SEC far more qualified. Especially in Georgia's case.  The Bulldogs played the "top of the conference".  Whatever that's worth. 

 

The SEspnC have better lineman than the other conferences.  That's about it.  So Tennessee and South Carolina can probably beat Indiana. 

 

Given that, the real question is how much do we want the SEC and the B1G to take their beach ball and play on another beach? 

 

The separation is already clear between them and the other two "power" conferences.  I'm fine with it so long as the SEC schedule includes B1G teams.  

 

Then roster management and coaching will determine who the best teams are.

Indiana is a solid program in need of excellent players on the LOS.

 

If they had that, they're top ten material.

 

Both their OTs suffered from weakness.  Their DL was mediocre.

 

Their skill players are very good.  They need a break away WR.  Even with that they'd be dangerous.

 

Lane Kiffin complained about the Irish victory.  Well, Ole Miss looked worse against both Kentucky and Florida, so he's got nothing to complain about.  Talk about no offense. I've never seen a unit disappear as fast as Mississippi's.

 

As to Alabama, they looked even worse against Oklahoma.  So all this stuff about potential is a bunch of malarkey.  You perform, or you don't.

 

This is truly the first year you can say "your record is exactly what it says it is" in the SEC. You were either very good, or pretty average. 

 

Beating a top five program and losing shortly after is like, well, Vanderbilt!

On 12/19/2024 at 10:56 AM, Charles Fischer said:

Right.  See post above please.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike West: "I don't believe we need another Portal QB.  Let these guys go through their hard knocks."

 

And deliberately lose games?  Again...if another Nix or Gabriel is available--you will win more games with them.  It is a new world in CFB, and Oregon is in a unique position to capitalize.

 

Do we have the guts to dominate as other teams have in the past for a few years?

 

Our coaches have shifted their thinking and strategies to match the current environment; will the fans make the adjustment as well?

 

Well, that requires a DG or BN caliber QB.  Cam Ward?  Not sure he's as good, but he certainly made a ton of plays this year.

 

I've already stated I believe Ward will struggle in the NFL.  Don't have specifics, this is more a feel thing.  He absolutely won't get the same kind of time he did even at WSU.  

 

That's what I'm talking about here.  I do believe we have that kind of QB in our room again, I believe all three have that decision making and technical skills level).  I seen enough from this spring to State all three QBs will make plays if and when they play (for OBD or not).

 

Again, 13-0 doesn't matter if you lose in the playoffs.  10-2 matters if you take the crown.  It's what you do with those losses that matter.  That's what makes Ohio State so dangerous.  And now that Penn State will certainly gain confidence with the way their QB made plays under duress (unlike his past), they're dangerous as well.

 

In fact I believe Indiana has a real good chance at upsetting ND because their QB is making plenty of plays as well. 

 

The only time going undefeated matters is if you make the playoffs.  

 

To address your point however, I'd like to see anybody out there point to any 2024 QB that has made the kinds of plays Bo or Dillian have made.  I just haven't seen anyone close to those level of performances.  I have seen the right stuff out of our group though.  Kind of that Joe Burrow thing ( (I thought would excel at LSU his first hear- but when he broke out- it confirmed everything I saw his Spring in Columbus). 

 

Pull the trigger when you see the right playmakers and their intangibles (which both DG and Nix had.  Nix was questioned despite showing what he had his very first collegiate game- against OBD at that).  

 

So, let's define who those guys are in CFB now. 

On 12/18/2024 at 3:15 PM, Solar said:

Let's not forget the Vernon Adams, and Cam Wards of the world that nobody knows about at a bottom dweller G4 or FCS school that can light it up.

 

While high school to college seems to be crapshoot, low level college giant slayers translate very well to high level programs.

 

And Bo wasn't exactly the hottest transfer QB when we picked him up.

 

There are some excellent non high profile options every year.

 

I'm pretty sure Dan is looking. Whether he actually ends up getting an experienced difference maker is TBD.

Bo had the essentials.  He came from a very flawed team, with a average Receivers and a porous OL.

 

Gabriel was already a money QB.  He had a similar situation at Norman.  

 

From what I've seen, there isn't a QB in the country as good as those two.  Tulane's QB is very solid.  The guy at WSU is more effective running than passing, though he is an effective QB.  

 

There is concern that Dante Moore is suspect.  He had an up and down year at UCLA.  I believe he is more like Jalen Daniels than a bust.  Daniels was horrible at ASU, then lit it up at LSU.

 

I also believe OBD have three QBs close to Nix and Gabriel in talent level.  Not to mean at least one of the freshmen will probably develop.  So, what I'm effectively saying is I'm good with who we have.

 

Everybody knows by now I don't feel the need to go 13-0.  I want the Natty(s).  Going 10-2 with the three we have doesn't bother me a bit because I believe all three will end up money QBs.  As in more than clutch enough when the time comes (playoffs). 

 

Mr. Jon Joseph also brought up a very good point.  Ryan Day and that awesome Buckeye fan base drove QB McCord out of town, especially after he had performed beyond the standard.  Ohio State lost to Michigan in 2023 because an OL blew his assignment. 

 

Jon also pointed out what Day's decision truly indicates about tOSU: they can stack the talent, but that fan base is going to ruin their team. (Day has really been hexed with poor performances at the worst time).  

 

Will Howard has underperformed in two key games.  He also performed well in the other two that mattered.  In my arrogant hack opinion, Kansas State would be in the playoffs had their bonehead coach allowed Howard to stay so he had an option to replace his very underperforming Howard replacement. 

 

Same with Oklahoma.  If both of those QBs were as excellent as advertised, Gabriel and Howard would have ridden pine in 2023.  

 

That long winded having been said, I believe it depends on the situation.  I wouldn't take Ewers from Texas.  He's too inconsistent.  Furthermore, I really don't see a QB in next year's rotation that is clearly so dominant that the title is already in the bag.  

 

Looking forward, I believe scouting the hell out of these high school QBs matters now.  They are getting developed more than ever before, so I want to see consistent NFL caliber decision making, and NFL caliber set and release capability (being able to get rid of the ball like we've seen from both Nix and Gabriel in other words).  

 

I don't have to see it from a high four star or a five star for that matter.  Lanning gets these kids to camp often.  What I look for is how fast they adapt to coaching and APPLY it moving forward consistently.  

 

I have watched Akili Smith Jr often the past nine months.  He gets it in 7on7, but he isn't consistent in games.  A lot of these kids rely too much on their talent rather than on technique.  Smith is excellent when he applies the principles necessary.  But he gets complacent.  

 

Natural ability is enough.  No matter how many plays you make in practice or in high school.  So obviously, I'm not paying two million for a wunderkind that dominates kids.

 

In closing, what I saw from this year's Spring Game convinced me we are fine.  By the way, Ohio State's Cardell was second string in their 2014 Spring Game, so he was miscast.  tOSU just had a hell of a set of QBs that year.  Same for Joe Burrow.  It was clearly evident in his Ohio State Spring Game that he was a "dog".  

 

That's what I see in OBD QB room.  Playmakers.  I don't believe we need another Portal QB.  Let these guys go through their hard knocks.  They are going to be difference makers.  

 

We should shore up our defense (as mentioned astutely in this thread).  Defense still wins championships.  Even if you have a blistering high octane offense.  Those offenses always eventually run into a defense or perfect storm that shuts them down. 

I won’t mind the challenge so long as OBD play clean games.  The offense is playing top shelf football.

 

It may be a big blessing for the defense to get a wake up call.  They don’t;t want to repeat last year, so they’re probably going to work harder than they have all season.  

Boy wouldn’t it nice to make a statement and take out three blue bloods…two in their home territory.

 

I sure would call them out further too by saying the eSECpn never leaves the South till the Post Season.  
 

Notice how Bama’s AD starting threatening to schedule fewer P4 OOC games? As if their traveling less than 800 miles a game wasn't an advantage for them. 

 

There’s a reason Georgia waited until they were a powerhouse before they scheduled OBD.  Teams in the SEC won’t dare risk their vaunted reputation by risking a loss to a "lesser" conference. 
 

Not to mention they had to do everything they could to take down Pete Carroll’s USC juggernaut using the NCAA (because they knew damn well they weren’t going to on the field). 

I hope Penn State learned some lessons last week.  Namely they can pass the ball on anybody if they really put their minds to it.  They are actually physical enough to handle Georgia.

 

I wouldn’t mind a rematch in Atlanta.  B1G on B1G two years in a row.  That would be lovely.  Would be even better if Indiana schemed their way into troubling both Notre Dame and Georgia.  That would shut up a lot of SEC talk. 

On 12/9/2024 at 6:51 AM, HappyToBeADuck said:

and 34 to BSU.

The Ducks allowed three short field TDs to BSU.  When the chips were down, BSU went nowhere.

 

The narrative nationally was Boise State nearly pulled off an upset.

I don’t even beg to differ.  We could easily say it wasn’t the Special Teams that won the game for OBD, but the experimenting and uncanny turnovers that allowed Boise State a shot at an upset.

 

Remember, we got 14 "easy" points and so did they.  Take away those 4 TDs and what do you have? Probably another 4 points added to our victory since we shut it down when we hit the Red Zone at the end of the game.

 

Boise State is going to get run out of Idaho come Round One.  I was hoping we’d do the honors.  Kind of that “it isn’t Boise State’s fault they have to play us" kind of thing.

 

It’s really too bad, I really wanted to serve notice to delusional BSU fans that they will never defeat Oregon again.  
 

It is time to bury the hatchet and get the G5 a financial plan by giving them their own playoff system.  

I will say two things:

 

Nobody has been more clutch than Dillian Gabriel all damn year.  

 

Dillian Gabriel answered every question about whether he is NFL caliber or not.  He will further cement that in the playoffs.

 

Dillian Gabriel has outplayed both Travis Hunter and Ashton Jenty all year.  He also beat Jenty head to head, and did so with an OL that was totally inconsistent that game.

 

Oregon will not get the respect it's due until we win a Natty.  What better way to leave a lasting impression than to go 17-0 and beat the very best (especially if it's Ohio State again, Texas and Georgia).

 

Gabriel won't get the Heisman because the powers that be don't want to legitimize OBD.