cartm25

In search of some data on this topic. How many starters are the Ducks losing on each line? What player source (i.e., recruit or transfer portal) is expected to fill the holes? Any exciting in-house recruits coming up on either line that we should be excited about? Perhaps it is too soon to tell, but wonder if the OBD has any inside knowledge. For context, I'm coming at this from the following perspective: - Offensive lines thrive with continuity. As such, IMO, I'd like to see the OLine be mostly filled with in-house recruits than with transfer portal players (as a general rule; I realize there are always exceptions). - The defensive line seems to require less continuity, and more havoc/chaos makers. Therefore, awesome players from either recruit or transfer portal sources fit nicely here. Let me know your thoughts.

I always have, and always will, root against ohio st Go Texas! And if needed, go Notre Dame! That hurt to say because I'm not a big fan of either Texas or ND, but I'd love to see one of them crush ohio st

I hope Beck goes to Miami. Miami won’t be able to survive Beck’s 2 to 3 interceptions per big-time game. This will lead to more angry-Mari Cristbal post game press conferences. Time to restock the microwave popcorn.

Are there any studs coming up the ranks from recruiting (i.e., not transfer portal)?

I will honor your question and stick with the teams you presented. Best team, IMO, was the 2014 team. The DLine featured NFL pro-Bowlers Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner. Marcus Mariota - Forever legend Heisman trophy winner at QB. Oregon lost their two best starting receivers before the match up with ohio st . . . Devon Allen to injury in KR duties against FSU, and Darren Carrington was suspended for selfishness (smoking weed). Score in the NCG was 20-21, Oregon down by one, late in the 3rd quarter; then they got worn down by Zeke Elliott in the 4th Q. I don't think ohio st gets to play ball control late in the game if Oregon has full compliment of healthy WRs.

The words "frothing at the mouth" to describe how the Ducks should have approached this game stood out to me. I'm not sure I saw the Ducks "froth at the mouth" in any game . . . at least not that was visible/palpable to me from the TV broadcast. When ohio st lost to Michigan, they took that opportunity to turn into rabid dogs (i.e., froth at the mouth). Their energy in the Tenn. and Oregon games has been palpable!! Not long ago, I asked the OBD if they'd rather have a team that was like a machine/robot or one that was always emotionally hyped. In hindsight, probably not the best way to frame those options as binary/mutually exclusive. Most responses - including mine - voted in favor of the Ducks being an emotionless machine. I now revise my take on that. I want the Ducks to be a "machine that's always frothing at the mouth."

I don't think Jordan James and Noah Whittington are the answers. As I've looked at the offensive statistics of the Oregon Ducks for the last 18 seasons, this year's rushing statistics are the worst in that period (YPG and YPA). I don't know if that's on the RBs only, or also on the OL . . . but either way not good.

I'm with you @Ktmguy2018, I only really watch/care about college football. So this was a downer. My 7 yo boy, who's only just now starting to sit for an extended period of time to watch the games, turned to me and asked, "Daddy, are the Ducks going to win?" It was 34-0 when he asked, and I had to explain to him that most likely not, and that the Ducks don't always win every game, but you just keep rooting for them. I was fuming inside while having to give this "measured, calm" dad/life lesson to my son, LOL. In a weird way, the beating was so thorough and quick that there wasn't enough time to build sufficient hope to be shattered. It was slack-jawed "shock" more than anything. Ultimately, I'm happy that Dan Lanning is head coach and obsessed with winning, and that the Ducks got a LOT of national attention this year and made the playoff. Most years for all teams will end without a championship. The Ducks 2024 season is about the best possible outcome without winning the championship. Future is bright!

It's a tough question because perception of the program, its trajectory and "vibe", being judged by high schoolers is a very fickle matter. I agree with you on some combination of B & C - quality, depth, and continuity (huge emphasis on continuity) will be best. I can't shake what Colin Cowherd has mentioned multiple times on his show recently; so many times now that I trust his research team has the number right: "The year Michigan/Harbaugh won the national championship, Michigan had two 5-star recruits on their entire team, and Alabama had 18." Michigan's defense was unstoppable that year. Don't get me wrong, I would never want Michigan's style/brand of offense, but what if Oregon could duplicate that Michigan team's success on defense? Oregon would be national champs for sure.

A delightful game of recruit musical chairs.

Ugh!! That's right. He's only a Freshman. Why does ohio st always have the at least the best receiver in the nation, and typically the best WR group? It's a shame that Wilson recruit left for Florida . . . would have had the #1 and #2 WRs in the class . . . look at me find a way to complain about getting the #1 WR in the nation, LOL

Nick Saban did a few-minute segment about this exact topic on College Gameday. He said he talked with Dan Lanning earlier and that the problems on defense against PSU were due to "eye discipline" by the secondary. Saban said this was correctable . . . with 20/20 hindsight, it looks like it was not fixed in time.

Perfect post (especially the part I quoted above)!! I was mentally prepared for a close game (win or lose), but the absolute beatdown was shocking. Also couldn't agree more with your comment about reducing the reliance on the portal. I believe the portal is an effective tool for helping teams go from bad to good relatively quickly, but I think to be elite, the vast majority of your team needs to be players that have grown up in the system and are allowed enough time and development to master it. Continuity should be 80%+ of the makeup of an elite team.

Somewhat surprising given much of the conversation on this forum discussing a long-term strategy to hold back much of the playbook. Disappointing that was not the case. As you pointed out, nothing new, and nothing worked; with the exception of DG improvising and making plays outside of the structure of the play call.

Because Dan Lanning is considered a "defensive genius", I cannot separate him from Tosh Lupoi. Trying not to make a rush judgment here, but I think "overall" the defense did well this year. However, in big games against more elite competition, the defense gave up an average of 35 points (range of 31 to 41). Hope that can get figured out, and I trust Lanning to make it happen. Just checked ESPN and, after removing non-P5 schools, Oregon ranked 12th in PPG allowed . . . but did quite poorly in yards allowed (both rushing and passing)

Could not agree more! Cannot stand tosu. At least that 2015 game was close at the half.

Just now seeing our total "Rushing Yards" of -23 . . . Wow! I realize that dragging that number back is yards lost on sacks, but: Oregon's RBs total 21 yards rushing for the game. Very, VERY disappointing.

Thoughts! Some negative and some positive: Negative: - 34 to 0 is unacceptable. I'm unconvinced by the "too much time" off argument. - As a Duck and 49er fan, I'm over short QBs that have a hard time seeing over OLs. - IF, a short QB is used, and is athletic, then that QB should be used in the run game to keep offenses honest. - I would have been fine (still angry) to lose in a hard-fought battle down to the wire . . . but that was embarrassing. - Frustrated that Lanning is a defensive "genius" with HIS guys and that's the best they could muster against tosu . . . same for Stein. - I'm tired of opponents' WRs towering over our DBs . . . and our WRs typically on the smaller side. - Best defensive line at Oregon in a long time . . . and still very little pressure on the QB of a high quality team. - Need revamp of the RB room. - Chip Kelly still got it! Positive: - Oregon's trajectory has continued its upward trend. - 13-0 in the B10 and conference champion. - Hopefully Dante Moore is the future stud we want and need. - I trust Dan Lanning to make the changes needed . . . he has some of the best connections in CFB (i.e., Norvell, Saban, Smart) - Great 2025 recruiting class Sorry that the negative is more than the positive, but I'm so done with tosu getting in the way of so much Oregon glory.

He looks shifty and decisive; a Lanning-type RB for sure. Still hoping for home run hitting speed somewhere in the RB depth chart.

I think this is partially contributing to the anxiety: There are very flawed/injured teams at the top, so it almost has a “win this year, or else it’s going to be way harder next time.”

Love seeing the Ducks at #1 . . . not sure I expected to see that in my lifetime. One question? Any concern about the D-line? I see a couple DE recruits, but no Tackles. Are there good DTs waiting in the wings, or is this a Transfer Portal position now? Given Lanning's defensive background, was hoping he could recruit blue-chip talent at the DT position.

Another thing giving me anxiety is that the Ducks have yet to "handle" a really good team. They've come out the winner but it's been close and uncomfortable every time. See: - BSU - tOSU - Penn State - This one looked like it was going to be "that" game when it was 28-10, but got WAY too close for comfort. Last thing my heart needs is a nail-biter against tOSU.

Unleash Sadiq the Freak!! Also, I'm a bit skeptical that we'll see a significantly different looking team, but if we do and it's effective, I may never doubt Dan Lanning ever again . . . or Mr. Fishduck I look forward to a more involved Sadiq, and tosu having to deal with Burch. Ultimately hoping to see more pressure on the QB. tosu's QB Howard's arrogance/ego seems to outpace his talent level. I'd really like to see him picking himself up off the ground all game.

IF I had a tranquilizer, unfortunately, I would need it for myself.

Yep! Way too early for this matchup.