Triphibius

I recall that in Eric Boles' analysis it was stated that in one of Stein's standard RPO plays the second option (used if the player who is "read" commits to the inside run) is a pitch or throw to the H=back/Tight End, not a keep by the QB. This kind of play design should reduce risk and wear & tear to Bo. Of course, these plays always look good in Mr. Boles' diagrams.

Todays Sports Quiz: Two quarterbacks played hurt against Utah in 2022. One of them won the game; one of them lost. Which received the Heisman Trophy?

Brooks Robinson is the best third baseman I ever seen play. Interesting anecdote.

I do not mind the post. A provocation can stimulate thinking. Of course, whether the thinking that it provoked is of any value is for readers to judge. 1. Considering the favorable schedule, the capable and experienced offensive line, the presence of at least three star quality players on the defense, and the surprising performance of Bo Nix, I think some optimism was in order. 2. Most championship teams have some close calls and need a little luck. The narrow escape at Pullman does not bother me. 3. DL's strategy for the U of W game was sound. The ground attack was crushing the Huskies until the errant snap. However, I do think the call on the next play, in which Nix was hurt, was too predictable. That said, the hit on Nix was unsportsmanlike, and was not punished. 4. As I said in another thread, the costliest plays against the Beavs were the failures on kick returns that left us with poor field position. The returner ought to have been under strict orders to take a fair catch. I fault DL for that much more than his going for it on fourth down later. As others have pointed out, our defense could not stop OSU's runs at that point, anyway. Good play by our opponents and bad luck played large role in these losses, but the coaches' decision were also a factor. I remain hopeful about DL as a coach, but I do think he and his staff bear some responsilbity for the two losses, both of which were games the Ducks probably ought to have won.

Bo Nix. Many of our plays are his audibles, anyway. This way we get to keep him another year, and save some money on the OC's salary (Just kidding)

Duck Tape: Statistical Review of Week 13, 2022 at Oregon State WWW.ADDICTEDTOQUACK.COM There is a stark dividing line in this game for both teams’ statistical performances. It happens with about 8 and a half minutes left in the 3rd quarter, when Oregon State fumbled the ball for... I am recommending Hythloday's analysis of the game for those of you who bear thinking about this for another ten minutes. His method is to score plays as successes and failures (both on offense and defense) then tabulate the percentages. He concludes that Oregon was doing well on both sides of the ball until the fumble. After that point, Oregon was unable to run the ball or stop the run. Hytholoday admits to some puzzlement about this reversal, which does not seem to be related to any personnel or schematic changes. My explanation: the special teams errors, especially the kickoff returns, handcuffed an offense that had been rolling, which gave the Beavers hope. OSU played hard most of the game, and once their emotions were engaged again, emotion was the big equalizer. I have to give the opponent some credit, but the door was left open by our failed kickoff returns. I understand players who try and are beaten by better or luckier athletes. I am less sympathetic regarding mental mistakes that provide opportunites to opponents who down by several touchdowns. Although I am still in Lanning's corner, I do wonder why a better decision makers (such as Bucky Irving) was not fielding those kicks. Thank you for your patience. I expect many are sick of the topic.

After the OSU debacle, the coach who ought to be on the "hot seat" is the special teams coach. Also, as I believe Fishduck may have said, it is not clear that the decision to rely so heavily on the Cover 2/prevent defense was made by Lupoi.

I have a proposal. I say this as someone who has been in the Butterfield camp in the ongoing backup discussion. Think of the situation like a world series game in which you are down 3 games to 2. Your goal is to win the series, but you must win the first game to get to the second. How can this be done? If the staff prefers Ty to Jay, then consider starting Ty and staying with him as long as the offense is performing well enough to achieve a victory. I estimate that Oregon will need about 28 points to win. This is assuming that the defense plays almost as well as against Utah, but that a few breaks go against us. The advantages of the approach: 1) the threat of QB runs (only of the prudent sort, Mr. Fishduck) restores dynamism to the run game; 2) if the run game is working, Ty is set up for success in the passing game via play action; 3) if successful, Bo can rest for the USC game; 4) if initially unsuccessful, Bo can be brought in from the “bullpen.” I am not entirely convinced about the wisdom of this, but I am concerned about our ability to move the football consistently if OSU can stop the run as Utah did. This plan would be more appealing if is Alex Forsyth is available.

Good points have been made by all. In addition, let me add or elaborate on these, in so doing comparing not only to last week but last year: 1. Oregon matched up much better with Utah than Washington. Oregon is fairly good run defense team led by a capable run-stuffing linebacker, that can struggle against the pass. Utah is a power running team that does not the wideouts Washington and USC have, and relies on the run to set up the pass. 2. Last year, Oregon's staff inexplicably failed to match personnel groups when Utah went with "jumbo packages" with additional linemen or tight ends. This gave the appearnace the Utah was better at the line of scrimmage, but was a schematic not a personnel advantage. I assumed that Lanning would not let the gain such an edge. 3. Casey Rogers looked like an all conference player last night, and his teammates, even if they could not get to the QB, got their hands up. Rogers credited their position coach for teaching different and more effective techniques than Oregon was using last year.

Hats off to the players and coaches for a gritty win. That said, words can barely express my disapproval of that gadget play. The one thing you cannot do up 17-3 is make some bonehead play that lets the opponent get back in the game. Oregon looked like the better team at that point. If you are the better squad, trust your players and your scheme, and offer your opponent no gifts. This is not complicated.

Let me restate my point. I think Oregon's defense matches up much better with Utah than Washington. This is based primarily on the belief that Noah Sewell can closer to matching Tavian Thomas's power than anyone the Utes will face. I also think that Gonzalez may be able to neutralize their top wideout, and Rising does not throw often to the others. Yes, I am concerned about their tight end, but hopeful that Bassa will rise to the occasion, assuming that he has primary responsiblity. Regarding last week, two points. First, Washington had the number 1 passing offense in college football. No one was complaining when De Ruyter's defense gave up vast chunks of real estate to the OSU last year. Wasington was also good. Second, regardless of their struggles, the defense did make some stops in the red zone and get a takeaway. The game would have been won were it not for some bad officating, an errant snap by an outstanding player, and an injury. Sorry, that was old business, but I wanted to get it off my chest.

Sorry, I hit a key inadvertently, and would like to complete the thought. Rising tends to throws to 2 or 3 receivers and neglects the others. Hence, if Gonzalez can lock down or control Vele, the main issue is dealing with their tight end and sometimes their pass receiving running back. Bassa's play will be critical. If our linebackers play well in run defense and pass coverage, the defense may have a pretty good day.

Fine article. My compliments. Pertinent comment also by Happy. Regarding the defense, I want to report some conclusions from Hythoday's analysis, if that is permitted: 1. Tavian Thomas is a load, but if anyone has the personnel match up with him, it if Oregon: Noah Sewell. 2. Rising focuses on 2 or 3 receivers.

My apologies for not reading the entire threat, but I agree with Freddy's conclusion. If not for the bad snap, Oregon would have scored a touchdown, attained a two score and left little time on the clock. Lanning's approach in the fourth quarter was sound, whatever one says about his gambles at the end of the first half. The officials also did us few favors. Conclusion: Lanning was mostly unlucky.

I agree with you all. I made a similar observation right after the game. Jackson Powers-Johnson was given a penalty for touching an opponents helmet, an action that had no impact on the play, as the ball carrier had already run through the hole. The penalty was in effect a 35 yard penalty, which cost Oregon 4 points and provided the margin of victory. I am not saying that was the wrong call, but if the officials are going to punish contact to the helmet that severely, then spearing another player ought to be taken seriously, also, especially when it clearly affected the course of the game. This is the third instance that I can recall where a dirty hit cost Oregon the game. The others were, ironically, the hit on Justin Herbert in the game where Bo was Auburn's QB, and a hit on Masoli by Boise State's safety probably in Bellotti's last year. Frustrating.