Desert Duck

So true. And yet, somehow, here we are... 23-0 -- against a team that supposedly had one of the best offenses in the nation. Amazing. Our defense was beyond nails. What a wild and rather bizarre switch between our offense and defense between this game and the JMU game.

"Bye-Bye" -- As in 0-6... so far. This ridiculous playoff format has got to be changed.

The crazy thing is that with a net of 3 TOs going our way, and how dominate our defense has been, we should be up by about 28 points. Our offense has got to figure some things out before we play our next game. 1 offensive TD on a short 5 yard field, is not going to cut it next time. But holy crap... our defense has just been insane today. Nobody in their right mind predicted that our defense would hold the high octane TT offense to 0 points.

Too soon. While unlikely, TT still could win this. One more offensive series and then pull Dante.

Pure and utter statistical dominance, and yet, we're one play away from Texas Tech tying it up. C'mon, Ducks. Stop shooting yourselves in the head.

So far, 20 rushing attempts for 8 yards. Ouch.

Wow... Lanning makes a rational call here. Nice to see. If stats equaled points, we'd be up by 17. We're just inviting Texas Tech to win this game.

IMHO, OBD should just take the 3. 100%

True, but it's tough to do when he's running for his life. Nothing that worked.

Talk about our offense stepping all over our junk so far. No time at all for Dante.

He needed to call a couple time outs.

Thanks to Iowa sticking it to Vandy, the B1G is 7-1 in the 2025 bowl season. Now that's pretty darn impressive. Now go Michigan. Beat Texas.

I like big coconut predictions that are based on data and research. So, obviously Mike, we all hope you are right. I appreciate your analysis breakdown and it certainly gives me hope. If our offense comes out of the gate like it did in the first half against JMU, TT is going to be on their heels very-very fast. And, there's no chance that there would be any sort of let up by OBD in the second half.

In OT, USC had the ball 1st & goal on the TCU 2 yard line... and they had to settle for a field goal. They suck. And they've given our conference the only bowl blemish we have. Still, and even with USC sucking so badly, the B1G at 6-1 in the bowl games is pretty dog-gone impressive. Especially when we consider that the super-mighty SEC is a pathetic 2-5.

In OT, USC had the ball 1st & goal on the TCU 2 yard line. And they had to settle for a field goal. They seriously suck. Oh well... at least the B1G is still, so far, 6-1 in bowl games.

34-30 OBD 1 1 302

B1G... 6-0 in the bowl games. Way to go Illinois! And, while I can't stand USC as much as the next guy... I say "Come on Trojans, don't suck it and screw up our undefeated bowl conference bowl record tonight."

Apparently, Chip has lived out of his suitcase ever since leaving Oregon.

I have respect for Lubbock Texas for one reason... For producing Buddy Holly.

Was it a grey cloud? 😉

It's time for the Festivus Feats of Strength! (that entire Seinfeld Festivus bit is so hilarious)

Great article. Nice to see that the WSJ still have some excellent writers. While the WSJ is not as good as it used to, I had a political science professor back in the early eighties who was a self-described Marxist -- and a reasonably decent person. We certainly didn't agree on much regarding politics and human nature, but he was actually a fairly rational individual. I once asked him if he could only read one single newspaper, which would it be. His reply actually caught me quite off guard as he said: That's easy... The Wall Street Journal.

Hallelujah! What a fabulous Duck Christmas present. I get praise to the Gawds of College Football for NIL, and of course, Phil and Penny Knight.

Great article, Darren. And yes, I care very little about what our defense allowed in the second half. As you point out, this might actually be what I would call a 'blessing in disguise,' as it gives DL something to get on them about. But I am a bit concerned that in the first half, our defense gave up 189 yards -- while fortunately, only giving up 6 points. JMU had a couple early solid drives, but thankfully our defense quickly stiffened, resulting in JMU ending up with a FG & an INT. I doubt TT would make the same mistakes. And hopefully, JMUs offense is just better than I realize. But speaking to your article title, the bottom line for me is either we peak now, or we likely will be, once again, talking about the season that could have been.

TNT & TruTV.