Must agree with Charles. Davison a big dude, against excellent competition, looked pretty fast. LaGarrett Blount comes to mind.

 

Blount, undrafted, lasted 9 years in the NFL and was a part of 3 Super Bowl winners. 6,000+ yards an almost 70 TDs Ds and left the game with a reported $7 million in the bank.

 

It seems like it has been a while since the Ducks have had a hammer. Looking forward to watching where Jordan fits. The Trinity League in SoCal is considered the big stage in high school football.

 

Look forward to following him at the next level.

Pregnon was second team All-B1G along with first teamers Donovan Jackson (tOSU) and Connor Colby (Iowa), both thought to be possible second round picks; and, Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane who (as a rSo) likely will be considered one of the conference's top returning IOL. Pretty good company. No sacks allowed in 2024 (though about one QB hurry per game).

 

Apparently had mid-round NFL draft grades, so has decided to see if another season can move him up. Apparently was a standout against A&M in their bowl game (if the USC thing is a buzz kill he did start his career at Wyoming).

 

 

He is gonna block?

 

Not to be insensitive. WR possibly, TE? Gonna be a tough crash course IMO. Like most, wish him well and will stay a bit invested hoping the best.

 

I tend to lean towards thinking Stewart stays.

 

If so, Oregon has its Branch, and it is in a better position for it.

 

2 Branches might be difficult. Keep our guy and keep moving forward. Just my thought!

 

 

Others have mentioned, there was a graphic during the game that showed something like 8 of tOSU's 11 defensive starters had something like at least 4 years in their program (I was going to look it up but can't see myself ever rewatching any of that game, even to fast forward to look for a graphic).

 

Looking at their depth chart, Downs of course was the soph transfer from Alabama, Igbinosun a junior transfer from Old Miss (2nd season at tOSU), and Styles a true junior, everyone else was a homegrown senior.

 

Oregon, as well, had 9 seniors, one rs junior, and one true soph. However, only 1 of Oregon's 11 defensive starters had 4 years in the program (Bassa).

 

BB was in his 3rd football season, Matayo his 2nd, and Burch, Reed, and Tysheem were 2nd year transfers, and Harmond, Caldwell, Muhammed, Brandon Johnson, and Savage all were in their first year as transfers. Players in many cases developed elsewhere in many cases a different defense.

 

Other than possibly the flu, a possible explaination for the utter confusion on defense (for the competitive part of the game); and, a possible downside to the portal, even with getting good guys.

 

Not years playing in the same system, instead still maybe even learning the system. Good enough for the regular season? Quite possibly. Going into a playoff, under the bright lights, with extra time for teams to plan and scheme, playing what many feel was the ipso facto NC game? One could also argue it had already popped up in the B1G Championship game as well.

 

As a reason for possible struggles in 2025, we could apply the same sort of thought to the OL, where it appears (even with a break on a guy like Conerly staying) it will be at least some guys in a new system who haven't played much (or at all) together.

 

I know these articles are going to come out; but, I don't know given college football today we know what Oregon is going to look like yet?

 

For example, lots of worry on the OL for sure. What happens if Oregon convinces Conerly to stay and then lands Pregnon from USC? Seems maybe unlikely but overnight it goes from a question mark to probably one of the best left sides in all of college football.

 

Stewart, if he is happy at the UO, probably could move up the draft boards with another season. Flashed for sure this year (with 3 big games) but in 7 of 12 games still had 3 catches or less.

 

I think we are a bit used to waiting to see top recruits but I would be surprised not to see Dakorian Moore have an impact. Stewart, Moore, and Benson would be a crazy amount of WR speed. James returns or Hughes signs. Sadiq and a healthy Jamari Johnson at TE.

 

On D, both Caldwell and Harmon could return appears to depend on their NFL grades. NIL obviously seems thus far to have changed the dynamic with guys who get later round or UFA grades (but could move up and staying another year likely in most cases won't move them down). Even one of two would be good. BB seems like maybe a go. Already added two All-B1G level type DB in Theineman and Theran Johnson.

 

Finally lots of buzz about many of the young guys. Some of the names I've read that may be ready to pop: Jerry Mixon, Jeremiah McClellan, Rodrick Pleasant, Daylen Austin, Aaron Flowers, Kingston Lopa, Sione Laulea, Payton Woodyard, of course A'Mari Washingron and Blake Purchase, Terrence Green, Aston Porter, My'Keil Gardner, Elijah Rushing, Aydin Breland, Ify, and others (plus the very young guys Brew, McNutt, Addison). What this looks like might not be more clear until Spring ball (simple college football calculus suggest there are going to be some good players here).

 

Obviously, in this new system, you can drop a game (or even two) and survive; and, as well, it appears pretty clear you want to be playing your best football toward the end of the year. Winning a giant huge game in October, while nice, isn't going to be what it once was worth with a four team playoff. Less need to be "top five" looking at the start of the year. 

It is an interesting point.

 

If you have $5 million in your budget, do you go 3.0 million to Jeremiah Smith and 2.0 million to Caleb Downs or $500 thousand to each to the likes of Savage, Tysheem Johnson, Bedford, Harmond, Caldwell, Reed, Muhammed, Isiah World, Bear Alexander?

 

Prior to the last game I'd be picking 9 guys versus 2; but, watching the last game Saturday, I wonder a tiny bit more. Of course that goes to how well you can pick Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs.

 

Do you instead end up with Canton Kaumatule and Avante Dickerson or Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs? And I guess someone might suggest how do you know; but, Downs and Smith have been money, the other guys, obviously with different degrees.of success.

 

All I can add is I went ahead and looked up "arm talent" in the Webster's dictionary and there was a picture of Dante Moore.

 

How that impacts QB recruiting in this particular season certainly up to debate.

 

Just like the freshman WR at tOSU, having a guy at a key spot just is a thing. Spring can't come too soon but I feel pretty good today. Biggins was just on 750am saying DM is a go.

 

On 1/1/2025 at 3:29 PM, CO Duck said:

Would love to see Dante in the second half. DG has been fine this year. This game isn’t his fault. Just curious how the offense would look with a quarterback that can see over the line.

 

 

Thought crossed my mind but don't think you throw Dante into this mess. 

The defense just looks horribly unprepared.

 

At this point in the game they have to be worn down too.

 

The offensive gameplan to this point looks kind of like what you might scheme up for a home opener against Portland State, not one of the best defenses in the nation in the playoff.

I guess it must not be part of the defensive scheme but I don't know why the Ducks don't play a third CB instead of a third safety with a team attacking downfield (the Ducks actually have a good option for a nickle CB).

 

Can't get out of your gameplan too much; but, I don't think you can remain stuck to the horizontal 1-2 yard LOS stuff. A lot of ground to make up.

 

 

 

Oregon vs Ohio State YPP Analysis

WWW.ADDICTEDTOQUACK.COM

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How do the Ducks and Buckeyes stack up on a per play basis

 

 

I happy if someone doesn't like the stat. Maybe better to go to ATQ and voice it there?

 

If they are wrong, ok, but they do have an established record (and the Penn State game would be in the "snap count" for Burch).

 

"Jordan Burch factor -- Oregon was without its best pass rusher in the first game against Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ banged up Offensive Line now must try and stop the exact same cast of characters from Oregon’s front, plus Jordan Burch. To examine how Oregon’s defensive play is affected by Burch’s presence, I broke his games into three categories: when he was absent, when he was in the game but on a snap count, and when he played with no limitations."

As I understand it, the "mint type" defense attempts to (regularly) stop the run with one less defender in the box (I guess it has to do with where the defenders line up and their specific skill set); and, as a result, has one extra defender to defend the pass; or, other iterations of the spread.

 

Is that mistaken? When looking at Georgia, it has at least seemed like teams who stay in the game and are patient taking 2-3 ypc and at times 3-4 ypc have had success hanging around.

 

The site ATQ had an analysis that suggested:

 

3.60 ypc with a healthy Burch

 

4.05 ypc with Burch a snap count

 

4.40 ypc with Burch out

 

That is almost one yard per carry less with a healthy Burch. Ohio State made some waves coming out throwing but what will Day and Chip do with a favorable box?

 

Will they trust their rebuilt OL or attack an extra defender? Someone correct that if in error!

 

 

I would tend to agree. A lot was in place for Chip when he came to Oregon. Bellotti had success and Oregon had been moving and shaking since Phil came aboard in 1995 . Chip was able to concentrate on his offensive master plan (and I imagine Nick was given pretty free reign over the defensive side).

 

Consider the experienced staff he inherited: Aliotti, Greatwood, Campbell, Neal, Pellum, Osborne, plus Frost, Helfrich, and Azzinaro.

 

While certainly not bare, Chip didn't seem to develop a large coaching tree, and both his Eagles and 49s staff seemed to largely be pieced together from a bunch of randomly available guys Chip hadn't worked with. If you ever followed UCLA fan discussion over the Chip era, it often was which assistant coach was worse, and will the new bad hire be worse than the bad hire he was replacing. The thought was that Chip didn't really care.

 

When he arrived at Oregon he also had a lot of talent to work with: Dixon, Stewart, Dickson, Williams, Unger, Schwartz, Reed, Byrd, Thurmond, Chung, Ward, others. It's widely agreed Chip was no fan of recruiting but I think Oregon had a long established recruiting network and those experienced coaches (plus the Nike connection), that made talent acquisition manageable.

 

His personel decisions were widely questioned in Philadelphia, and his 2016 49 team was considered roster poor. Finally, his recruiting rankings at UCLA, while not terrible, average about #29 per year, where as they had averaged #17 per year the decade prior (when UCLA had gone 68-61). Of the 116 high school commits Chip got over his 6 classes, he only had 1 five star (Moore), and 20 four stars.

 

UCLA, great degree, in Southern California, about five miles from Venice beach, has always been thought of as a school that should almost recruit itself, had classes ranked #7 (2013), #10 (2010), #12 (2009), and #12 (2015) recently prior to Chip.

 

The narrative with Chip seems to be he caught lightning in a bottle with his offensive scheme and tempo and the football world eventually caught up; and, while I suggest that is fair, I wonder if an underappreciated factor is the idea of stepping into a situation with nearly everything in place to have success (and then bringing in something exciting and new) versus having that, but also at the same time needing to construct a near full rebuild. Some have suggested this may partially explain the Riley situation at USC to date.

 

UCLA player didn't call "bank", not sure it should have counted.

Of Georgia, tOSU, and Texas, I'm still most worried about tOSU.

 

At first didn't like the draw; but, if you are going to run into them, might as well be with 23 days rest and in the Rose Bowl.

 

Ohio State will have to play what should be a very physical game against Tennessee and then turn around and have 8-9 days before traveling out to the Rose Bowl.

 

It is unfortunate to potentially have to face Texas in the state of Texas and Georgia in the state of Atlanta; but, these sites were probably planned and scheduled years ago. Best case would be an upset or two knocking out a team (or teams) that would be getting a near home field advantage for what is supposed to be a neutral site game.

 

Playing not to lose rather than to win. Gonna go down to the wire now.

 

Stein is seing something that isn't there.

 

How many times has the offense gotten into second and long tonight running it? Must be at least five.

 

I understand the point but people have scored on Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Clemson when they have been winning championships.

 

Just a half where the offenses rolled. Second half will be interesting. I think the lack of pressure has been more worrisome than the LBs and S legs.

 

Some games just turn into offensive shootouts and others defensive struggles, just happens year-in-and-year out.

 

It doesn't surprise me exactly when it happens.

 

I think they just said this is the most points Penn State has given up all year as well.

 

I don't know if you are going to find too many LB groups faster than Jackson, Bassa, and Boettcher (a guy who ran a 10.54 100m in high school, a converted safety, and a MLB prospect at centerfield).

 

Not saying its working great tonight but you know, not all games are the same. Travelling east to play a game that must be 80% Penn State fans? There is a reason the line was 3.5 and not 14.0.

Came across an interesting article on a Michigan site that sort of argues tOSU basically did exactly what it's offense is designed to do based on the defense it was facing (run the ball).

 

If I read it correctly, it argues Michigan gave tOSU light boxes all game and tOSU did what a Chip Kelly offense will do, run at it. Michigan just was well prepared (and possibly aided by OL injuries) and was able to shut down tOSU's rushing attack with light numbers. It allowed Michigan to drop an extra defender in coverage (and double the first read on passing routes). The QB threw a couple picks into the D; and, quite possibly confidence wasn't as high throwing into an extra defender versus running into a light box.

 

Michigan, it argues, just won with its preparation and strong DL play.

 

 

Neck Sharpies: What Was Ryan Day Thinking?

MGOBLOG.COM

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Michigan has a method for playing down a man in the box.

 

 

On 12/4/2024 at 10:17 AM, spartan2785 said:

I really like that.  I have to say I don't really want college football to become a place where this sort of thing doesn't happen.  Of course I want Oregon to get as many great players as they can, but it's nice to know that for some guys staying home and playing for the hometown team still means something.  

 

One of those things, the real story very well might fall somewhere in between?

 

It was reported on another site (Wildwestsports) that the Kansas State board said Cure took a look at Oregon and went back to KSU and they upped their NIL package to $5 million for 3 years.

 

Hometown kid sticks with home school still remains a good story. As well, who knows about the $ and actual NIL? It does seem a bit like Cure never really seemed too close to flipping to Oregon; but, that is just what one can gather from the recruiting articles.

 

On the positive side, Reddit is reporting Tobi Haastrup has signed with Oregon. A three star but only one year of high school football. 6-4 and 240 with a reported 10.7 100m (that does appear to flash on film).

 

Tape is worth a watch:

 

Tobi Haastrup TD Club Highlight

WWW.HUDL.COM

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Tobi Haastrup TD Club Highlight

 

I remember joking about it this summer but it is appearing more and more likely.

 

If Oregon beats tOSU in the B1G Championship game, they will have to be placed on the same side of the bracket.

 

If they are on separate sides, and they meet in the final

 

Oregon will be 15-0 and 2-0 versus tOSU

 

tOSU will be 14-2 and 0-2 against Oregon

 

Even if tOSU wins the final the teams finish

 

Oregon 16-1 and 2-1 against tOSU

 

tOSU 16-2 and 1-2 against Oregon

 

I dont know how one in good faith can vote the team with two losses and 1-2 head to head over an opponent from the same conference that has a single loss and won 2-1 head to head.

 

I think the committee will want to avoid this controvery and they should.

 

In this situation, how do you argue Oregon below tOSU in good faith? I am sure people would then talk about it as an almost unforseeable outcome; but, it absolutely was forseeable, especially after Oregon and tOSU played and both teams looked good.