Desert Duck

Agreed. I say Oregon by about 18, with a final score of something like 42-24.

Exactly. That's what I was essentially trying to get at, but did a poor job stating it. At Iowa, we needed more running yardage and we got it. Last week, the passing game opened up, so we exploited that. The great thing that this offense now appears to have is the ability to put up big yards rushing and/or passing... basically, whatever is needed/available, we now appear to be taking advantage of. This multi-dimensional aspect going late into the season could just be absolutely huge. David -- You made such an excellent point regarding the Indiana game in which it looked like we sort of forgot that we successfully run the ball, and therefore forced the passing game, got sacked 6 times, looked like crap (my words, not yours), while losing by 10. Right now, it appears to look and feel like Stein, Moore, and company, have found the right balance between our run and pass game... and, we will take what the opposition gives us. Saturday is certainly a massive game and I think it will tell us if we will make a run in the playoffs.

Great take and reality check. The great news is that Oregon's destiny totally sits right in our hands. Win out, and screw the AP... because the B1G will have 3 teams in the playoffs. End up with 2 losses, and nobody is going to do us any favors.

It's looking like OBD is finding its' offensive identity, and I feel like there is still quite a bit of upside available. USC is going to score some points this Saturday, and while I am pretty crappy at predictions, I've got the Ducks winning by about 18. Something like 42-24, with pretty balanced passing and rushing numbers. Although we rushed for 179 yards last weekend, which is nothing to shake a stick at, the running game was still very productive. In addition, Moore look very comfortable, generally had decent time in the pocket, wasn't locking on to his first receiver choice, and just a fine job moving the ball around. The run game nicely set him up to have a lot of success throwing the ball. GO DUCKS!

Really glad for Justin's sake that he has a bye week coming up. The Los Angeles Chargers seem to be trying to get that guy knocked out of football all together... or at a minimum, sadly shorten his career by what could be many years. The abuse he continues to receive is incredible.

And just like that, 27 unanswered A&M points and it's tied up 30-30

What in the world is going on with A&M? I haven't watched any of the game yet but A&M is playing at home down 30-3. Anyone know if there's some major injuries that have happened to A&M?

What in the world is going on with A&M? I haven't watched any of the game yet but A&M is playing at home down 30-3. Anyone know if there's some major injuries that have happened?

For sure. GO IU

I remember waking up, laying in bed, listening to the radio and hearing the announcement of Dennis Erickson going to Oregon State. My first thought was, "That's got to be a mistake news story." And although he wasn't there very long, they certainly won some football games in 2001. The only one they lost was at Washington by 3. And although, I naturally can't stand the Beavers, I loved seeing them absolutely dismantle Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Agreed that if the playoff existed, they very possibly could have won the whole thing.

From a conference and playoff strategic standpoint, are we rooting for indiana?

I doubt that any of us are surprised that we won the game, but I am extremely pleasantly surprised at how complete of a game we played... especially considering the injuries that we have. Once again, our defense was excellent. If I'm looking at it right, our D has only given up an average of 1.5 TDs per game, and many of those came late in the game during garbage time. And although we're talking about Minnesota, I am still very impressed with our run game. OBD put up about 180 yds, while averaging 6 yds per carry. Given that Dante was throwing the ball so ridiculously well, and all over the field, we really didn't need more yards out of our run game last night. I loved seeing our tight end studs getting the ball so often. I was impressed that Dante was quite often looking off the defense, and not locking on to one primary receiver. When he does this, and when he has time to do this, he is quite dangerous for our opponents. He also had some fakes that were, frankly, spectacular. And when he chose to run, he chose well. We have a very good team. But I'm still a bit confused by them. But if they continue to gel over the next two weeks and win out, and we get some players back, I think we could make a very interesting run in the playoffs.

Well done, WK... & family. Way to start the lil dude off right!

OBD 34-14 2 2 222

Our defense was challenging them to pass. And they obliged.

That was a very nice 80 yard drive. So far, 85 yards rushing. 46 yards passing. I like it!

As pretty much everyone has been saying: RUN THE BALL!

I'm just not confident in our passing game right now. Dante scares me.

100%. So asinine. Should have run the ball & maybe pick up 5 to 7 yards, get in good FG range, and go for the 3 points.

Field goals are going to be absolutely huge today.

Nice to see that Stein apparently has heard the cry of his people.

Turnovers & field position are king today.

Absolutely. And 2 of the 3 passes could have been picks. Yikes!

It's going to be a long slog of a game.

Go Syracuse!