EastBayDuckDad

I can't disagree with the premise of this article even if Cam Ward is a poor comparison for Dante. While the following observations may seem a bit off the topic of experience, they relate to it in important ways: Is there an advantage for a QB to start their development at one program and system, then transfer to another? Does having to adapt to a new culture, coaching and offensive system build flexibility and maturity? Example in point: When a certain QB transferred to OBD the derogatory narrative was Bo "Pix". A change of scenery, culture and coaching (under two different OCs, incidentally) buried that misnomer. Not every kid comes out of HS with fully developed skills. Arm strength and foot speed, sure. But leadership and judgement? How many 18 year old frontal cortices have those traits right off the bat? The ability to read coverages, set alignments and make the right calls at the LOS doesn't automatically get gifted with the 5☆ howitzer arm. That takes time, maturity and perhaps the most important factors, experience and mentorship. I would argue that a change of venue helps build flexibility, adaptability and confidence, not to mention experience. While the author of the article in this thread is being a bit harsh on Dante, the premise of another year of development is valid. He already knows what it feels like to get thrown into the fire too soon, struggle, then get benched in favor of a journeyman QB with less talent but more experience. I doubt he wants to repeat that in the NFL. Regardless of how this CFP run turns out, here's hoping that he takes the lessons learned by his immediate predecessors to heart and gives himself another year at Oregon.

I had to post this Locked on Big12 post game podcast from Toll the Tool. He never comes around to saying Oregon defense whipped TT's a** but blames it all on the layoff, the practice schedule, the CFP, the team hotel food and the OC Leftwich, who needs to be fired. Worth watching by Oregon fans with a heavy side of schadenfreude.

Well, it's "Roll Over Tide" Time to start prepping for a Oregon-Indiana rematch. Tough to beat the same team twice

Also a great one with the Duck doing push-ups wearing a tortilla blanket

DL gave the byline for Ducks vs Them in the immediate post game interview: "Pound of flesh" The next OBD meal will be a pound of peach flesh at the end of next week

If everyone knew before the game that Dante would throw for 234 yds, get sacked twice, throw a pick, get no TDs and Oregon would rush for well under 100 yds, would folks have predicted that win? Give TT credit for having a defense that was as advertised. One can quibble about overly aggressive 4th down attempts, specific play calls and not taking the dang points!!! All valid observations that will get examined at the doctor visit. But the defensive game plan and execution was otherworldly and that glass is a lot more than half full going into the semis.

Not that it means a rat's behind, but the ESPN GameDay crew went 3/4 Oregon. Nick, Pat and Kirk all OBD Des for TT

There may be an element of truth to Stein and Lupoi individually candle burning at both ends. Here's why I don't think it makes much difference. DL set the standard by the way he helped lead Georgia to the NC as DC. The player schedules are run by a network of trainers that optimize sleep time. I would imagine even with the intense game planning the coaches are practicing some of what they preach. The new OC and DC are already in place and will have a lot do with plans on both sides of the ball. Ohana. The players are invested not only in their own success, but in those of their coaches. DL has repeatedly said "You can sleep when you're dead". While maybe not sound medical advice, it is part of the culture at Oregon. Hard work and sacrifice. Much got said about the relative failings of the defense (and a little of the offense) in the second half against JMU. How it could be that Lupoi (and Stein) may not have had their heads and hearts fully engaged. Almost everything I saw in that second half of concern was more a matter of focus and execution, not scheme. I think Oregon will be fine from the standpoint of the coaching staff for today.

Miami's stunts, shifts and blitzes are just discombobulating the tOSU O-line and confusing Sayin. The Bucknutt defense has finally stiffened up and is playing better, keeping them in it for now.

With all due respect, that was last season. Texas Tech is the team that has had the long layoff this year, not Oregon.

And just like that they force Sayin to make a bad read on a screen and a pick-6. Miami 14-0. Like Neil Young once sang, "Rust Never Sleeps". So great to see Bucknutt getting bit by it.

Miami flat out beating tOSU at the LOS, something Mari⁰ would call out-physicaling tOSU's physicality.

Looks like some serious rust on Bucknut's side. Offense out of sync and Sayin having some accuracy issues. Tackling a bit of a problem too. If Miami didn't have the dropsies they'd be up by a score as they are moving the ball well.

It just 'means more' in the SEC. Unless you miss the playoffs, then it's "I'm opting out for NFL prep/the portal/mom's cooking"

Great analysis, Mike. I watched the B12 CG and the TT loss to ASU in detail. In the former, BYU by virtue of sloppy play and TOs handed the game to Tech on a silver platter. In the latter a good QB was able to find gaps in that secondary to exploit. Moore is one notch better than Leavitt, and with Stein's game plan will find the same weaknesses. The 'forced fumbles' that they hang their hat on will not be easy to come by against OBD. You can bet the last 10 days of practice at HDC have involved the RBs and WRs running a gauntlet of hands, elbows, knees, baseball bats and battering rams trying to dislodge the ball. As long as Oregon avoids TOs and gives Dante that extra second of protection to find his receivers, the offense will click just fine and key the win.

Several old USuC all star players like Su'a Cravens and LenDale White called out LR and the defense after that horrible showing. They used less than genteel language pointing out that there are two sides to the ball and that former players should be on the coaching staff to teach the D how to tackle and act like Trojenz. TCU was led by their backup QB, a redshirt senior that hadn't started a game in two years. He still outclassed the U$C defense who time and again blew assignments and exhibited a lack of gap discipline and crappy tackling The apologists pointed out that WRs Lemon and Lane opted out of the game. Welcome to Oregon's world, losing your two best receivers at a critical point. One backup WR, Hines, played well as did walk-on RB Miller. Good luck, Lincoln, getting those kids to stay and not bail to the portal. If the B1G had to drop a bowl game, I'm personally happy it was the Boyz of Troyz. My only concern is that the powers that be in La La Land will cough up the big bucks to buy out Stinkin' Lincoln's contract after 2026 and bring in a new coach. One that excels at SoCal recruiting and player retention and understands that de-fence (sic) is not just something you build around your Beverly Hills crib to keep the riff-raff out.

Oregon 27-24 1 TO 2 Sacks 220 air yards, but they count for scores A rock fight that OBD wins late

These Locked On bozos subsist on clicks and homeboy subscribers, so the hyperbole about your own team/conference is the business model. And getting rich they aren't. The Locked On Ducks guy Spencer McLaughlin is better than most, and he has a side gig broadcasting Southern Utah games to help float his boat. Most of them scramble to get a game press pass that the On3 and 24/7 people get automatically. Broadcasting from mom and dad's basement pretty much sums it up for Toll the Troll. One of the Autzen Zoo writers (prone to the same level of sensationalism occasionally) reposted this guy's take and was pretty dismissive of it. For all of his Texas Tech honking and pubescent enthusiasm, he predicted BYU to upset TT in the B12 CG. So much for prognosticating prowess. As noted in some of the comments here, this stuff wont even rise to bulletin board material for DL and OBD.

And just like that PSU gets an explosive pass reception to go up 15-3. Paint will have to wait for a minute or two.

Scintillating "Would'a, Could'a, Should'a Bowl" FG fest Pinstripe Bowl between preseason #2 PSU and #4 Clemson going on now. Semi-watching it while doing a home project, so I can actually compare it to watching paint dry.

The one way he could get playing time as a freshman is at the X or maybe Y WR spot due to his 6'2" size and track speed. Even if he is just a decoy for DAK, JMac or EStew he is a match-up nightmare. I don't see how an opposing DC can ignore him. He is no longer some talented 18 year old fresh out of HS who needs to grow into his body. Assuming he gets the full attention of Oregon's training staff, weight room and vast strength and conditioning facilities for the next eight months, he'll be ready to contribute by fall. Very excited to see him in the spring game with only four months in the system.

Cal is the team that recruited and developed Aaron Rodgers and Jared Goff under previous coaching staffs. It only made sense for Lupoi to pull out all the stops to keep JKS. They could become a significant Oregon (USuC) rival for the best talent in California, but it will take time and a UC administration and Board of Regents that gives a crap about sports

Yes indeed. Through Duck highs and lows, some things are constants regardless of where you find your anchor. Faith, love, hope and family. Merry Christmas to all.

Promises, Promises.....

Just reported that DBs Lopa and Laulea are hitting the portal as of now. Not surprised by Laulea as he was rarely used, but I think Lopa was on the two deep at safety and didn't have too bad a game against JMU. I wonder if DL lighting up the defense post game had anything to do with it.