Drake

Fantasy football ruined pro football for me while I participated. I found myself rooting for teams that I despised for years all because of the players that I chose for my team. I might despise the team, but still knew they had good players to compete for weekly $$$$ and big payouts at seasons end. I finally retired from the fantasy ranks and no longer miss the weekly grind. I never have to check the box scores for those despised teams again.

There are always concerns after watching a beat down of your team. Playing the defending National Champs on what was pretty much their home field as your first game ever as a head coach is just horrible timing for DL and his staff. I look at it like scheduling the world champion for your very first boxing match. Nobody does that, and there is a really good reason why they don’t. The result of the worst timing has fans already questioning head coaching decisions and the staff’s abilities to lead the team. I personally will hold off from making judgements for a few more games. The only concern I have is how the team and coaching staff picks themselves off the “canvas” and responds in their next fight. We find out soon enough.

Pretty sure if you put any of our QBs in the game last Saturday, the results were going to look the same. Bo was not out there struggling to make tackles on defense. The offense sputtered and the defense had to wait until Georgia’s backups were on the field to stop them from scoring. Our young QB’s will probably play. However, I would rather see them in a lopsided game where we are ahead versus throwing them into the lion’s den in Atlanta. Can anyone name a QB transfer leaving Oregon that has done extremely well? There is usually a valid reason that players transfer.

Throwing picks when you really are not being pressured is a mistake that you expect young QBs to make. Unfortunately, a change of venue for Nix didn’t change the problems he has had in the past. I can understand not pulling Nix from the game. I think DL does not want any QB to be looking over their shoulder expecting a substitution every time a mistake is made. You need to show your QB confidence. They deserve it. Until it is no longer deserved. However, Bo Nix did not lose the game single-handedly. It took an entire team and coaching staff effort to get embarrassed in Atlanta.

For this program to thrive the staff will need to show that they can develop talent. This staff brought in Nix and it appears they are sticking with him. Nix is not the solution to the long term success of the Ducks. I fully expect to see the younger QBs playing this year. But, I wouldn’t expect them to start because of todays game. We have decent talent, but it is obvious there is work still needed to get them playing together at a higher level. We just got a reality check into what national title contender football looks like, and we aren’t even close. That isn’t a bad thing, it is just a fact.

I can’t think of a more difficult situation in the debut of a new coaching staff than playing the defending National Champions. I am willing to be patient, but if we are going to improve over the long term bringing in transfer QBs that have struggled with previous teams is clearly not the answer.

Well done. How do you get the UGA grad off your porch? Pay for the pizza.

Their freshman RB was on fire in that game. WVU literally had 4th and inches near midfield and a 240lbs freshman RB/TE that was having a great game. The guy ended up with just seven carries for 125 yards….Go for it. However, they did try to draw Pitt offside and ended up taking the delay of game penalty before punting.

Sorry, I am an Oregon fan…however, Shout out to Troy Dye. If you decide to transfer within the PAC 12 and put on a red and gold/purple and gold/orange and black uniform…I am not rooting for you anymore, or wishing you success on the field. I have certain standards that I try to maintain.

Seems to me that many of the people that feel the need to attack, or make fun of others, are generally insecure. Discussing a subject with them turns into a debate, which then escalates into an argument. Life is way too short to deal with the headaches.

The days of watching the Ducks running into a stacked box from the pistol formation and then completing a 2 yard pass on third and long are behind us…Hurrah!!! There is always a game plan. However, we may actually see adjustments made during a game as needed. That by itself would be an improvement. I think the first game is a challenge. The coaching staff will be tested early. Not the game I would want as my head coaching debut… Go Ducks!! 😎

Overall the Ducks are a good team. The unknown is whether our QB can perform when faced with adversity with an offensive scheme that relies on them making solid decisions. The offense has good RBs, receivers, and a solid OL. The defensive line will play tough, and we have some very good linebackers. Depth at defensive back may be in question, but the starters are going to be very good. Our season hinges on staying healthy at key positions. If our QB plays better than expected, then the Ducks are a formidable opponent that will win many games.

Mar’Keise Irving has the tools to become a pleasant surprise. Decent speed, Can catch the ball out of the backfield, return punts, and if he gets through the LOS, he can make people miss. I think we will use multiple backs each game, but he should be a great change of pace type guy at RB. At receiver, Caleb Chapman might be one of my favorite targets if I were playing QB. Like everyone else, I am excited to find out who shines this year.

I think that OBD really need to open up the passing game. One of our strengths on offense appears to be the potential this team has at receiver and TE. To keep those guys happy and out of the transfer portal they will need to spread the ball around in the passing game. First game out is a tough one, but it certainly will be a wake up call to the younger players about how well you have to play to be considered a top team.

Didn’t see the game, but UNLV definitely has the nicest stadium in the Mountain West conference. Allegiant Stadium is very nice. BTW…Elton John has the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour (final tour) there on November 1st. One of my favorite albums.

Based on Auburn’s struggles last year I wouldn’t expect impressive numbers from any of its offense. They ended the season with a 6 - 7 record. Oregon was certainly not an offensive juggernaut last year, but won 10 games (10 - 4 record). Oregon is expected to win 8 to 10 games this season. I suppose I expect any QB, including Bo Nix, to post decent statistics for the season if they win more games than they lose. If Bo Nix is handed the starting job I am not anticipating him to all of the sudden become a TD passing machine. However, I anticipate that our QB throws for more than 19 TDs this year.

The MASH football game is always a classic.

Road tripping to games as a student becomes a lot more challenging. For me rivalry game are what makes college football games so much fun. With that said, I have to go with an already established rivalry…Boot stomping the Trojans will always be entertaining. Plus, a nice sunny SoCal day in November is better than trying to tailgate in sub freezing temps somewhere in the Midwest.

Having experience and young talent available at receiver is a huge benefit to this team. The experienced guys will lead by example in practice, on the field, and in the locker room. The young talent will learn from them and be better for having solid examples to help guide them. I am excited to see the young guys get their opportunity to shine. However, you need the guys on the field that both catch and block. Experience helps win tough games, and the first game is a tough as it gets.

Not announcing the starters until game day also keeps the media from putting additional pressure on the starting QB for the first game against the defending champs. That is the marquee starting position battle that most people want to know about anyways. The questions, or analysis, from the media about the players involved can be a little hard to take sometimes. The next big question always seems to be how far do you let a starting QB struggle before sending in QB2. Not announcing until game day is not a big deal to me, but I understand why people want to know. I guess we will all find out for sure just before kickoff.

I believe that donating money, or bidding on items that raise NIL money is fine (Ducks of a Feather). If it is not in your budget to donate then you should not feel compelled to contribute just because you are a fan. The University and DAF have received donations from me annually for many years. While I don’t feel compelled to donate to an NIL fundraising effort that I am not familiar with, I would not tell others that they should not donate, or get involved.

A family obligation keeps me from hosting a tailgate that weekend. There will be a lot of active tailgates 2 to 3 hours before kickoff. Oregon fans will be excited for the Lanning era to begin. The Moshofsky Center (an indoor practice field) next to the stadium is always an option. It is turned into a big beer garden on game days. However, you must enter the stadium gates to have access. Just be aware that your ticket is a one way trip into the stadiums confines. Once inside the stadiums gates your ticket doesn’t allow you to leave the stadium and reenter.

Mar’Keise (Bucky) Irving may be a nice offensive weapon that is underrated. Young back with a lot of talent that fights for yardage. He is a solid addition to Dillingham’s offense. The RB room is getting stacked with talent.

The size of our receivers that are available to our QBs will pose problems for defensive backs. That is assuming that our QBs play just above average. An elite QB will have some fun picking on mismatches that they can create. Jurrion Dickey looks to be the real deal. I hope that Dante Moore to Jurrion Dickey for a TD is a familiar call over the PA system at Autzen.

An aggressive defensive scheme with top notch athletes…hmmmm, YES, please!!! I believe Lanning and staff has an opportunity to be “setting the bar” for the Ducks future recruiting as well. Opening up the offense, and playing aggressively on defense is a good start. Winning against tough opponents attracts attention even faster. Always a lot of reasons to be optimistic at this time of year. This team has a lot of potential. Let’s see what that potential can do on game day. Duck football tickets need to be a must have again. Autzen Stadium wants to Rock!!! Go Ducks!!!