Drake

I don’t think losing a hard fought game is a recruiting negative. In my opinion, how the coaches and players react during and after the loss is much more important. The beat down by Georgia could have sent this team into a downward spiral. However, hard work by the coaches, and by the players has the team back in the top 10. Most people, including recruits, are seeing the improved play on a week to week basis. Top recruits want to go where they can improve, and play in meaningful games. Oregon checks both of those boxes. We won’t get everyone we want, but Oregon will continue to be in the mix for a lot of the top players.

It just feels like Dan Lanning and staff has this team and program on an upward trajectory. They have met and exceeded my expectations so far. Hearing comments from players that football is fun again is just another reason to really like these coaches. I sat through a few of those 2-9 seasons when I attended Oregon. We definitely struggled to be competitive. If it wasn’t for the rodents to the north, we may have been 1-10 a couple of those years. Beating them used to be the highlight of the season. My, how things have changed!!

USC losing always brings a smile to my face. Especially, with their new $10 million/year coach, and fan predictions of reaching the CFP this year. Not so fast troy boys, you may not even be the best team in SoCal. I can’t get too caught up in CFP “what if” scenarios halfway through a football season. Too many games and too much work left to be done. Oregon getting to just the PAC 12 Championship game is still in doubt. I know that if Oregon wins good things happen. Look forward to see how the second half of this season plays out.

I will give some credit to the previous coaching staff. However, our linemen and entire team have thrived under the new coaching staff. Changes in our offensive scheme, combined with solid coaching, have enabled this offense to average 10 more points per game. The OL, and Bo Nix are having their best year ever. There is a correlation, and the new coaching staff is a big part of it. I have to applaud everyone’s effort. The defense also seems to be improving each week. I Look forward to seeing how the rest of our schedule plays out.

A balanced offensive attack will be necessary to force UCLA’s defense from focusing on stopping our running game. If Bo Nix is connecting in the passing game, then the Ducks offense will do more than enough to win this game. UCLA is used to playing football in an empty stadium. They have not had to operate in the raucous conditions that the fans at Autzen will create. There is a reason why Oregon has a distinct home field advantage. Ultimately, the outcome of the game will depend on our defense, if they contain the QB, Oregon wins.

The PAC-12 problems can be traced back to poor business decisions made by Larry Scott when the conference decided it would own the PAC-12 network. That meant that the distribution of the networks content would be critical. Unfortunately, distribution of the content was handled poorly. Other conferences teamed with sports networks to deliver their sports content. ESPN reportedly offered to distribute the PAC 12 network for an extended rights deal. No deal was ever made. In fiscal year 2021, the BIG distributed $680 million to its member schools, the PAC 12 distributed $344 million. There are various reasons that a University would leave the PAC-12 conference, but most of them are colored green.

I gave up worrying about what should happen, versus what will happen, within the PAC-12. Unless you are sitting at the negotiation tables, or making the decisions that determines the future of a University, this is an exercise in frustration. Competing in collegiate sports at the level Oregon competes at is expensive (over $100 million last year). Can Oregon remain in the PAC-12 and be competitive on a national level if they receive substantially less money from media contracts? Does Oregon actually have an invitation to go to the BIG on equal terms with all the other members? Those answers will probably determine what happens.

Metaphors, analogies, and similes about players, or coaches are either complimentary, or they are not. I think people know when they are being derogatory, and using bad comedy with a complaint doesn’t change the fact that a derogatory comment has been made. Fortunately, you decided to not put up with personal attacks on current players/coaches/other OBD members. Unfortunately, that means whomever enforces the rules will often get attacked as well. There will always be people who thrive on exploiting the “grey areas”. My two cents says coach who is coachable to help them become a better OBD member, and let the hot heads move on to another team.

Our OL is definitely is worthy of MVP status. Without an elite OL, the running game isn’t as prolific, and Bo Nix probably doesn’t have the time to complete 70% of his passes. It is refreshing to see Dillingham’s play calling switch gears in games. If a defense sells out to stop the run, we simply start passing the ball. When the defense adjusts, and spreads out to defend the pass, we run it for big chunks of yards. Now, the jumbo package in short yardage that initially shouted QB sneak to the other team, has additional twists added to it. I love it.

Dillingham’s offensive scheme is weighted towards running the ball. He runs a power run game with very capable RBs and one of the best OLs in the country. Many of his running plays get pulling linemen clearing a path for the RBs in the second level of the opposing defense. Always fun to watch. Establishing a run game can enhance a passing game, and vice versa. Dillingham’s offensive sets have many different looks, and I certainly think that a game plan needs to be in place for UCLA. However, changing an offense that averages +500 yards, and 42 ppg by “unleashing” one player won’t be the key to winning the game.

If the team can remain healthy then Oregon in the CFP scenario outlined could happen. Each remaining game is a championship game for the Ducks. Can they thrive in that type of atmosphere? I suppose the rest of the story should end with Oregon beating Georgia in the first round of the CFP to face off with TOSU for the championship.

Having survived cancer two times, and 6 years of chemo, I can say that any additional awareness a pink uniform creates is perfectly fine. Many cancers are treatable with early detection. Go Ducks

I suppose you need to take every PAC-12 opponent seriously. They probably surprised most of us by beating Utah. UCLA’s schedule has been favorable for them. Looking at their schedule do they actually have 8 home games this season? That seems crazy. After the Oregon game their only road games left are ASU and Cal.

Thankfully, the new staff has provided more on field opportunities to TT than he had all of last year. I really don’t expect a polished performance from him. However, TT also needs to own the moments that he has on the field, and so far he doesn’t have a resume that shouts I am your guy. There is a chance that he never becomes our guy, but it is still too early for me to give up on him.

The DB is keeping an eye on our backfield, he knows that there could be a run, or pass, coming his way. The fact that Forsythe then “road grades” him out of the play will certainly be replayed a few times in the film room. Fun play to watch, solid execution, great result.

TT is a talented athlete. The biggest question is whether he has the aptitude to lead a team as QB1 into the top ten college football rankings? I think that is the expectation of 5* QB recruits. Perhaps with a few years of starts he could grow into that guy. However, this team is currently winning and has the potential to crack the top 10 after their disappointing start. The coaches, and players know they still have room to improve. The remaining schedule is going to be difficult to finish unscathed. Not much opportunity remains to develop a struggling QB.

Where are the people that actually stated that Miami had a good shot at making it to the CFP? They must be relatives of the puppy fans that predict they will dominate the PAC-12.

New defensive scheme. Also, the defensive back positions are some of the most difficult positions to develop young players. We have some very young DBs. Rule changes that protect QBs put a lot of pressure on a defensive backfield. Receivers also have the 5 yard rule that allows them to run freely in the middle of the field without contact. Defending the passing game against an experienced QB is difficult at best.

Love Coach Locklyn. Who is the best RB in the room…answer is classic. About 3:40 mark

Our running game was boring to watch for a few years. A change in the offense, coupled with a RB like Bucky Irving, has completely changed that for me. He is both physical and elusive….Fights for those yards after contact. Entertainment value has increased dramatically in just a few games.

If Arizona’s defensive weakness is stopping the run, then they will have their hands full with the Ducks offense. If the Ducks win the turnover battle in this game, then they win and cover the spread.

There is one common denominator behind Oregon’s football successes over the last 25 years that cannot be overlooked. It certainly has helped propel Oregon football forward. Phil Knight. Oregon football coaches definitely benefit in many ways from the support he has provided.

Nice…Blasted his own guy.

Averaging 4 penalties/game gets you into the top 10. By that measure Stanford is actually a top 10 team. It appears that averaging 5 gets you into the top 25. If the Ducks minimize pre-snap penalties they probably could be in the top 25. Penalties are definitely drive killers to an offense, and gives new life to the opposing team if we get called for interference, or holding, on defense. However, I do believe that they will clean up some of the issues.

I think at some point the AD’s need to pay attention to the big donors that smooth out the athletic budgets.