Drake

Solid analysis. Those were the type of plays that gave our defense fits last year when trying to get off the field. It is very satisfying to watch Nix exploit an aggressive defense.

The defense has 27 sacks so far this year. The leader in sacks is Brandon Dorlus with 4. The DB leaders are Evan Williams with 3.5, and Khyree Jackson with 2. When you include QB pressures, and TFL ‘s by this defense it all adds up to our opponents scoring average of 15.6 points per game. Without charting plays, it is tough to have a definitive answer as to whether there is a significant increase in blitz packages that include our DB’s. However, whatever they are doing, just keep doing it.

Our uniforms are looking better already.

Game days at Autzen always takes me back. So many good memories. I belonged to a fraternity and every game day we would take a keg and a big rack of red cups to the Autzen parking lot 3 to 4 hours before the game. For the rivalry games someone always seemed to be shaking a batch of yucca juice, usually in those big commercial size mayonnaise containers. Food was definitely not in our wheelhouse. Had a small generator, and brought a sound system loud enough to be asked to turn it down from time to time. Still tailgate with friends from my college days every once in a while. More food, much less drink.

Stealing signs definitely provides an advantage. Video taping future opponents sidelines during games apparently is frowned upon. Getting caught red handed by your rivals. Priceless.

After hiring Riley for absurd amounts of money, then announcing to everyone that they are back in the hunt for a title. There seems to be some buyer’s remorse with the money that has been spent on their coach, and QB. It would be even more entertaining if Riley did go to the NFL mid-season. Would love to watch that meltdown.

When I read about Alique Terry’s background I was surprised he was chosen to replace Adrian Klemm. Very young, and with little time to have established a recruiting pipeline. Then they went out and hired veteran OL coach Mike Cavanaugh to assist. I then thought that DL and his advisors are pretty savvy about replacing key members of the football coaching staff. Players want to go where they can win, and be groomed for a potential run at the NFL. Looks like A’lique, and Mike are off to a good start.

Our depth on defense will be key in this game. It is easy to get winded playing at the altitude of their stadium. If the Ducks can get their yards with the running game, then I expect Nix to outshine the Utes QB with the passing game. The weather doesn’t appear to be a factor in this game. I take the Ducks to cover.

The stakes get higher as the season rolls on. I think the media has a lot to do with any coaches demeanor. A hero when a fake punt goes well deep in your own territory with an overmatched opponent, and lambasted if you go for it on 4th down and fail with a big game on the line. His “wings” aren’t clipped. But, perhaps they got ruffled after the pup game. It is easy to coach from the couch. Much more intense when a microphone is put in front of you and then you get asked about decisions made that may have cost your team the game. We just happen to have a front row seat watching our head coach as he grows into that position.

Not surprised by their losses. More surprised about the unrealistic expectations that the media and their fans had before the season started. Any team with a good QB can pull off some upsets if the ball bounces their way. However, to win at the highest levels you need a defense that can carry the QB when they are having an off day. Trojan boys don’t have that, and obviously the media and now their fans are blaming the coach. It is enjoyable to watch the meltdown in smog town.

A lot of football knowledge that can be tapped into for any of our current coaches. Rich Brooks looks pretty good for someone who started coaching the Ducks in 1977.

Cool photos. I love the photo of the guy getting blown up by Herbert. He was literally lost on that play. He actually looked like he was admiring our cheerleaders just as the truck ran over him.

The annoying “fight on” fans in meltdown mode are entertaining. However, they should be used to watching an average football team in the Coliseum. Bringing in a top QB was never going to solve all of their weaknesses. They have improved, but did they really think they were one of the top teams in the nation? Btw fight on fans, all the blue bled out of your program years ago.

Besides playing an abnormal amount of late games, the PAC 12 also covers the most diverse geographical footprint of any conference. Pac teams could be playing in desert heat, snow, rain, high winds, and my eyes are burning smog all in the same weekend. Just another reason it is difficult to go undefeated.

Lincoln Riley hasn’t demonstrated anything to me beyond attracting good college QB’s. Seems to me that Oklahoma is already better without him as a head coach. Interestingly, Oklahoma’s coach Venables is a defensive guy as well.

If I bring a grill I am all about simple. Since I have to clean up afterwards. Burgers, brats, chips w/dip, with all the proper fixings. For the warm September games, I used to bring melon wrapped in prosciutto, and a balsamic glaze for a kind of dessert, but i am old and lazy now. So, now I just bring a bowl of Halloween type candy for the people with a sweet tooth. It all disappears really fast, and nobody leaves hungry.

After digesting the questions regarding play choice, I really would have thought a defensive coach would score whenever, and however, possible. Then trust the defense to do their job. Defense played an outstanding game, the coach trusts Nix which I can understand, but should trust his defense as well. Young $@$# coach that is learning the hard way.

As fans we get anxious about these types of games. What do you think the players going through? What a total rush to run out onto that field tomorrow. Makes me want to put on the pads…as long as I don’t get hit by one of these guys…lol Let’s go Ducks!!!!

I like the “culture” that DL is building at Oregon. Emphasizing “Oregon” standards and mapping out a mental approach to growing as an individual and team. When reading the article talking about the 90% mental vs. 10% physical approach to winning football games. I immediately thought about how Cristobal preaches the physical part of the game. Which is really the bull in the china shop mentality. His emphasis on “physicality”, lacks attention to the mental side of winning games. Which he demonstrated so well with his latest coaching disaster. A mistake that most would think would only happen one time in a career. Amusingly, we saw it happen again. Only this time to a team that paid a large amount of money to bring “their guy” to Miami. Many of their fans already want a new coach Thanks for that $8 million buyout Miami. Priceless.

Anthony has some serious hair. I thought I had long hair when I was in high school. It was about 6 inches past shoulder length. I would never have been close to him on the track, or hair length. It will be fun to watch him compete. Welcome to Track Town USA.

Can’t say that I have too many UDum fans in my list of contacts. Early 80’s they traveled in droves to Autzen. They were obnoxious visitors. Acted like they would never lose another game. Then Don James got caught cheating and resigned over the sanctions the PAC 10 assessed his team. Ha ha ha ha…. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their decline which led to the ultimate 0 - 12 season of futility. Truly a heartwarming story.

With eyes on future years, Oregon will definitely create problems for teams. If the architecture of our football team stays similar, with solid QB’s, receivers, and RBs, that run an uptempo style of play, they will be a tough opponent for any defense to handle. With recruiting, it looks like there could be 5 to 6 teams that consistently bring in the depth necessary to compete at the highest levels. I am actually optimistic that our recruiting improves once we have completed the move. I believe more potential recruits will be able to watch the Ducks play. It will be interesting to see this move unfold. Bring on the BIG.

Through all trials and tribulations, I bleed green and yellow. While I don’t like to see the Ducks lose, it is just a college football game. It can break your heart, but there are too many other things that we all deal with that are far worse. With the turnover we have seen at HC, DL has reinvigorated a program that could have become a dumpster fire. How many teams take a dive with the type of coaching turnover we have seen. I tip my cap to the man.

This series is well done. Worth watching.