The Kamikaze Kid

UO 13 UGA 24 Breaking in a new QB, receivers and running backs against the best D in the nation is a tough way to start. Outside of a probable loss, you really couldn't ask for a better sink or swim game out of the gate for the new coaching staff to evaluate players, schemes and themselves. The Ducks will likely take their lumps but be better for it in the end.

Oregon has a three game win streak and nobody even really cares. Fuskies have not had a three game win streak since before the pick. Nuff said.

Oregon won't really start recruiting until September 3. That's when the talk turns to walk and the world finally sees what the team, coaches and players look like. If the direction of the team appears to be back on track towards national prominence, things will take care of themselves.

"Only three things can happen when you throw the ball, and two of them are bad." Pretty much sums up Mario's offensive philosophy.

I don’t think ranking the Ducks in the zone (10-15) where they usually hangout is all that shocking. That’s around where they were last year until the coach mentality then physically checked out on the team. Ranking a 4-8 dumpster fire (USC), with a new head coach seems way shakier to me.

At the end of the close elite eight Virginia game, 5 star Louis King played hero ball to try to win it but all I wanted was for whatever star Paul White to take a shot that had a 50/50 chance of going in. I'd way rather see some decent four stars stick around 3-4 years and develop good team chemistry than a bunch of 5 star one and dones just use the UO for a highlight reel before heading pro. Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish all on the same team not only didn't win a championship, they nearly got bounced by Taco Fall. Seems like if Altman can land top level one and dones, he could build a solid team that he could coach up. It was fun watching guys like Freddie Jones and the Lukes go from freshmen with potential to legit top ten draft picks. Will we even remember who was on this team five years from now?

This new top down philosophy of "How can I get better everyday?" is blowing my mind. What a change from "I'm the smartest guy in the room." Mario. I believe we've gone from top ten players with top fifty coaching to top ten players with top five coaching. Not only is the future looking bright, it's looks to be arriving much sooner than expected.

The UO QB had a tougher time against Stoneybrook than he did in an NFL preseason game.

To me, the biggest problem with Scott was that he perfectly personified the out of touch fine wine and caviar mentality of the university presidents. They all saw the Pac as an exclusive gated community and not the isolated runt of the liter the conference has become.

After a 2022 season of three yards and a cloud of punt, they'll need to add another lane to the exit portal.

I think a preseason Pac/ ACC bowl doubleheader in LA would be a solid move.

It's always bothered me that someone has to win when USC and ND play.

fuskie brain: If you just flipped around 2-15, it'd be 15-2. Take that Duck fans!

"I'm happy where I'm at." = "Per$uade me to change my mind."

Fuskies hoping to return to the Chris Peterson glory days when he went a whopping 2-4 against the Ducks.

Solidify the Pac with top choice Mountain West teams (SD St, UNLV?). From there, talk with interesting teams that are about to join the Big 12 (Houston, Cincinnati, BYU), once the Pac is a solid 14 or so, go for the top Big 12 teams that you can get (Baylor, Ok St). End up with a good 16-18 team conference. That seems like a logical progression to me.

From Brooks to Kelly, UO built overwhelming teams with underwhelming talent (based on star ratings). With MC, we adopted the USC model of underwhelming teams with overwhelming talent. It feels like the Ducks are going to finally be putting the best of both worlds together. The UGA game may be more than they can chew right out of the gate but after that, this may be a legit top ten team. The offense should be the funnest to watch since the Mariota days but the D may be venturing into uncharted waters. The season can't get here fast enough for me.

Bravo LH! I’d add that injuries should also be included in the the Mario effect. Between his strength and conditioning plan and full speed practices all the time, the UO injury list seemed to be at an all time high.

Mario's Utah game plan.

Chip had The Ducks in the Rose Bowl year one. He had them in the Natty year two. He had them winning NY6 bowls years three and four. Also left them well positioned to make a championship run after he left. He also turned the Ducks into a dream school for kids to this day. If Mario out did all of that, I must have missed something.

I don't think the Mario bandwagon has taken the time to examine what it is about his coaching that is so great. I think they see two things and assume that he's great. First is the 2019 season that culminated with a victory in the Rose Bowl. Second is the win over Ohio St. 2019 was the perfect storm of having two of the best offensive and defensive leaders the Ducks have ever had both in their senior seasons. On D, Troy Dye was an absolute beast who lead the team in tackles every year he was on the team. On O, Herbert had the skills to have games won by halftime. The fact he had fairly average stats was a warning sign of what Mario's strangle hold on the offense could do. I'd say the biggest part of beating Utah and Wisconsin that year was Herbert just going for it rather than MC's coaching. Second, there is the Ohio St game. The team did play inspired ball and had their best game of the year. They also went up against D coordinator that was in over his skies and was replaced right after the game. They also had a freshman QB making his second start that didn't have the full confidence of the coaching staff yet. Does anybody really think the UO would have won a rematch in the Rose Bowl if the Ducks had made it there? Take away 2019 and the Ohio St game and Mario's time at UO is actually kind of underwhelming. Take away Herbert and Dye, and 2019 would have been much different. Miami will get to find this out for themselves soon enough.

Might want to ask Saban who would make the better head coach. Dan Lanning or Jimmy who?

It makes me wonder about “physicality “ “ iron sharpens iron” full tilt running through walls all the time. I really think Mario’s self created mythos of the tougher team wins created most of the injuries last year. it will be interesting to compare UO and Miami in the injury department this year.

I've gone all over the place with what I've been hoping for. At this point even if the money were better going to the BIG, I think the best case scenario for the Ducks would be for the PAC to hold together, Bring in SD St to replace USC, bring in UNLV if UCLA does leave, then add in some Big 12 teams from Texas plus Cincinnati and or Ok St. That would land the PAC in solid third place which would be a vast improvement from the distant fifth that they are now. If the new and Improved Pac had 6-7 potential top 25 teams, it would be right up there with The BIG and SEC. A conference that included UO, Utah, SD St, Cincinatti, Houston, Baylor and Ok St could compete with the best and produce legit playoff teams. I say owning the entire country west of the Mississippi is better than just being a west coast out post of the BIG.

Great Article. Coach Lanning has felt like the real deal since day one. Can't wait for September to get here!