EastBayDuckDad

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.

I couldn't agree more. That play flipped the game. Mateer went for the home run instead of getting the first down and slowly twisting the dagger into Bama. Okie looked undisciplined from that point on. Looking forward to watching that Rose Bowl after OBD dispatches TTech on NYD. I know I'm jumping ahead, but Hoosier daddy in that bowl of peaches? Oregon! Tough to beat the same team twice. Go Ducks!

Oregon 35-14 3 Sacks 2 TO 235 yds passing

Oregon Ducks WR Dakorien Moore hints at availability on social media https://share.google/bR0A7xNA3Ri5rN291 Got to believe that DAK only puts this out there if he will be on the field.

This article in the NYT via The Athletic might be worthy of its own topic line as it compares the money out-money in economics of all 12 CFP teams, with an emphasis on Oregon v JMU. It gives a sobering look at the money involved to get a team to the top of FBS conferences, but also debunks the accusations that Oregon simply buys it's players when compared to other winning programs. How do College Football Playoff teams compare financially? The gap can be tens of millions - The Athletic https://share.google/TAW0IYe9EwQVO699i

Barring some CFP catastrophe, Mendoza and his freshly acquired Heisman will almost certainly go as the #1 qb to a cellar dweller like the Giants, Raiders or (sorry, Dillon) Browns. They all desperately need a franchise qb that actually has a pulse and could be considered as plug and play. Or maybe to a contender that trades up for him. After Mendoza it's Nussmeier, Simpson or Dante, with DM having the most potential in what is arguably a so-so qb draft class. The problem is that 2027 may present the same dilemma if Dante stays, wins the Heisman and guides OBD deep into the playoffs. He then goes #1 to the NFL's smoldering dumpster fire de jour. As much as I hate to say it, maybe going #5-10 next spring to a team that doesn't have to play him is his best option.

Very good news. When Bear was on, he dominated the middle. Another year in DL's (and presumably, Hampton's) system and he's a second to third round pick. No longer a head case, he'll be head of the pack. Hoping for more return dominoes to fall, like Theinemen, Tuioti and Matayo. I think Washington is gone, but he will be a round 1 or 2 pick.

Maybe Oregon picks up a safety to replace Theinemen, but with the 2026 class adding a Washington, Jackson and Benjamin, it will be "money" to go along with the returning secondary players.