DUCKED

If you’re going to lose it’s always better to lose early, even if you get clobbered.

Oregon’s best, perhaps only, path to the playoffs is for the Ducks to win out, and for USC to go undefeated in the Pac, then fall to Oregon in the championship game. I wouldn’t bet on that scenario. But I see it as the only way the Ducks make the final four.

No, it’s not just you. The kid is uncomfortable, lacks confidence, and yes, he appears scared to death. He may have a big arm, but there are lot of QB’s with big arms that turn out to be flops. He’s trending that way. Butterfield needs to see the field. He deserves a shot. With Nix running as much as he does, the possibility of injury is a concern. The Ducks need a reliable backup and Thompson clearly is not the guy.

Either that, or he’s injured…..yet again.

Isn’t SHOUT for the fans, not the players? I think the players, all the players, should keep their heads in the game.

I, too, am concerned about Nix’s ability to throw the long ball. But, to me, even more alarming is his decision, twice in the Stanford game, to throw deep into double coverage. Those passes could easily have been intercepted and never should have been thrown. Decision making has always been an issue with Nix, so that is not likely to change. At some point, it will cost the Ducks, unless Nix cleans it up. On a more positive note, Bucky Irving looks like the real deal…..he gets to hole fast, and has great instincts, similar to Travis Dye’s. Bucky has the ability to find a gap and accelerate through, and his lateral movement is impressive. I think that if the Ducks don’t shoot themselves in the foot with penalties and turnovers, they have a legitimate chance to win the north.

The pants should be burned….

Chase did not have a wonderful career at UCLA. He was rarely targeted and was frustrated. Chip promised more targets, to keep him, and when that didn’t happen Chase entered the portal. He has proved to be solid, reliable receiver, and an important part of the offense. And, of course, we all wish he had come to Eugene in the first place.

“The decision seemed like a simple one.” Agreed. And, if we’re honest, most of us would have done the same thing.

And why will Lanning be gone?

I agree with Smart. Georgia did have better players, far better players. Bigger, stronger, faster. As far as coaching I’m not sure a brilliant coaching job would have made much difference. We know Bo is a turnover waiting to happen, and it’s very difficult to coach judgment and composure. I have always maintained that the BYU game was far more important than Georgia. Lose that one and the Ducks are reeling at 1-2 (assuming a win over EW) heading into Pac-12 play.

What was astonishing to me, other than the woeful tackling, was the soft coverage by the Ducks’ secondary. Georgia’s receivers were rarely challenged, and frequently there was no Duck within five yards.

This was an excellent post and pretty much mirrors my sentiments as well.

Cheerleaders certainly are part of the game, but let’s be honest . Guys like to look at pretty girls, and perhaps that’s why on just about any telecast of a college football game the camera zooms in on the cheerleaders. But have you noticed they rarely, if ever, feature a male cheerleader? It’s because the person behind the camera is a guy. And what about the band? Not many close ups of the band and it’s a huge part of the game, too. I think it was Annie who commented that basically she could care less about the cheerleaders. She’s there to watch football, period. Totally understandable. Do I have a “problem” with cheerleader pix on FISHDUCK? Absolutely not. But then I’m a guy.

It is definitely a concern. Signing day is months away. Riley will be all over this kid.

Wow! That’s a lot of information. Let us know when he commits.

“Relegated to the kids’ table.” That’s exactly where it feels like the PAC-12 is headed.

Nice observation, and if that comes to pass, it does not bode well for schools like Oregon State and Washington State.

With those numbers wouldn’t it have made more sense to stick around for another year?

Agree with you on just about everything……except the Stanford game. Sadly, I think it did define the Ducks’ season……underperforming against relatively weak competition.

I didn’t see Herbert and Mariota, both 3-stars, on the list, but several great Duck players were unheralded, including Jeff Maehl, one of the most reliable receivers in Duck history. A short list of other overachievers: Byrd. 969 Chung. UR Thurmond. 671 Hill. 576 Swinson. 509 Dorlus. 836 Unger. 616 Forsyth. 465 Williams. 425

The Ducks’ second game is at home against Eastern Washington, which I am assuming they will win.

Covering against Georgia would be a totally acceptable way to start the season. But if the Ducks expect to contend for a spot in the playoffs — a win over BYU at home is an absolute must. If a playoff berth is the ultimate goal the entire Pac-12 season becomes irrelevant if the Ducks start the season 1-2. So, my pick for the most important game is BYU.

Is that first team all-Pac-12, and NBA draft pick Isaiah Mobley?

I’m thinking B1G is the way to go……but only if Oregon is voted a full share of the media windfall, which is estimated at $1 billion. Taking that position, however, just might prevent the Ducks from getting an invite. The Pac-12-Big 12 merger would be the second option.