AnotherOD

I absolutely understand "Stanford angst" but I watched a bit of Stanford against USC and UW and I must say they appear to be far away from the teams that have given the Ducks trouble, and yes even compared to the meltdown last year where - Stanford pulled out a win. Chaos does happen but I'd say we would need to see a world where the college football world is absolutely turns upside down to see a close game. Stanford is just at a point one week turnarounds are just a massive deal.

Yes. Oregon hasn't had a ton of trouble to this point in the red zone heading into WSU. It somewhat natural to this point to suggest the OC is seeing things and making great calls all the time. Another explanation is he has some things he likes in those spots and to this point has largely "guessed correctly". My thought is WSU saw that and was prepared early in the game. 98% confidence first time play caller KD will catch on and be way better next time. He already did it with WSU loading the box and a flip to the TE later in the game. Totally owning the WSU smashes in the 1st half and making adjustments and generating a grand slam play call. It is natural to have confidence in what has succeed in prior spots. Adjustments and making plays is a sign of a real dude in that spot. KD deserves a credit!

Obviously there are exceptions, but my impression was whenever possible Mario looked for bigger athletes, especially in the back 60% of a recruiting class - arguably the guys looked at a bit more to be developed a bit more. DL seems to be looking a bit more for different traits for different positions. Long, lean, twitchy CBs, tall WRs, beefy DTs, maybe less emphasis on beef and more on feet on the OL (though this is a tough year for OL I understand so maybe not a year to draw too many conclusions), bigger yet still explosive RBs, and speedy athletic types as ends and LBs. Guys like Bassa, Conerly, Devon Jackson, Harrison Taggart, Florence and Tucker, Jordan James, Khamari Terrell, Kyler Kasper, Justice Lowe, Jurrion Dickey, Caleb Presley, Ashton Cozart, A'mauri Washington, Donte Dowdell (and a whole bunch of other guys!), seem to me to possibly suggest a subtle shift in some recruiting areas. Through most of the Chip/MH era, Oregon usually had enough guys to produce nearly two pretty impressive 4 x 100 teams (based on actual reported track or timed camp numbers); and, another handful of guys who also had very solid numbers (some names that pop to mind: LaMichael James, Dior Mathis, DAT, Tacoi Sumler, Byron Marshall, Thomas Tyner, Devon Allen, Tony Brooks-James, Charles Nelson, Taj Griffin, Kirk Merritt). Now, I don't know if it was completely accurate but (before the new group of recruits and transfers arrived) I read in more than one place 6-4 and 270 pound DJ Johnson was among the fasted guys on the squad. Certainly impressive if even partly true (as one would think at least a couple guys like Franklin and Hutson could challenge); but, I think in the coming years the staff is going to emphasize that aspect a bit more than the previous group.

Penix looks healthy and really appears comfortable in that offense. If he stays healthy, as much as I don't like to say it, I think the Huskies are going to be hanging around all season.

Looks like I'm the first one to sort of see it like the coaches so far. Irving appears to have that good initial burst (1-4 yards). He gets to holes and through holes quickly. I think the pass catching will improve (but I only see 8 catches last year at Minnesota so it will be something I'm sure people will be watching). Whittington similarly accelerates well and flashes some power, and seems to be the most comfortable pushing through piles and traffic. Dollars appears to be returning to form nicely from injury and had shown a nice playmaking ability. It won't surprise me if his role increases if he continues to be as productive. Cardwell, while not as big, reminds me a bit of Blount (or maybe Royce to a lesser extent) in that maybe it takes a few steps for his burst to arrive ( not meant as a put down as both were plenty successful). He certainly shows good vision and picking up his blocking. 6.84 ypc and 8 of his 61 carries going for 20+ last year certainly flashes some big play capability.

Sort of similar to Kentucky today catching Florida coming off their big Utah win last weekend, should be an advantage to Oregon at home catching BYU off a big, emotional double OT win tonight.

From ESPN: UCF Drive Chart (yesterday) 10 plays 80 yards TD (3:30) 4 plays 24 yards PUNT (1:10) 8 plays 77 yards TD (2:43) 6 plays 14 yards PUNT (2:43) 8 plays 60 yards MISS FG (2:11) 3 plays 4 yards PUNT (2:26) 3 plays 1 yard PUNT (1:43) 5 plays 10 yards PUNT (2:20) 3 plays -3 yards PUNT (2:09) 4 plays 2 yards PUNT (2:46) 5 plays 20 yards PUNT (1:32) 9 plays 42 yards INT (2:49) 5 plays 20 yards DOWNS (0:32) One of the strangest box scores I've seen in a while - UCF didn't even lose its starting QB (Rhys Plumlee) that I can see. Not seeing the game, it worked, and then it didn't? 8 punts, an INT and a turnover on downs? When I see UCF it's hard to think anything beyond Gus Malzahn.

College football has walked itself to this point; but, they at least seem to be doing something about it with the expanded playoff in the works. The Duck's goal needs to be win the Pac-12 and hope for a lot of carnage amongst the top 10. (Non playoff) New Year's six games are going the way of all the other bowls, mostly meaningless. Yes, even the Rose Bowl. Made for TV live sports events they want to sell to TV? Of course networks still try to hype it. Even try to sell tradition and the game matters maters. It isn't fooling too many college football fans anymore. It's either the playoffs - or a glorified scrimmage between teams who didn't get it done - in a random bowl. Telling fans it's a big deal isn't working anymore. Rose Bowl: Oregon versus Michigan? Oregon versus Penn State? From the collective world of college football it will be zzzzzzzzzs and mostly all but devoted fans and hardcore college football types will care. Top players likely sit. The trend with lower bowls is working it's way up. It's playoffs or bust, but at least we may have 12 teams, if not 16 teams (plus contenders), still playing meaningful games late in the year. Plus ALL the tourney games will not be exhibitions but will matter. Instead of 3 playoff games that matter we will see between 11 and 15 (depending on structure). Only downside is too many blow-outs. Don't get me wrong, I wish there was some great consolation prize for non play-off teams for football. It just hasn't materialized, and much like NCAA basketball tournament there is a reason there is no consolation set of events that generates much interest. Non-playoff New Year's bowls hung around as somewhat meaningful for a while based on long histories, but were destined to fall to the waste side. Most likely a few will be rolled into playoff sites.

I think Flower played in a handful of special teams snaps as a freshman in one game. He played one game his next year. Which means he has basically had two games since high school. I don't think he had a particularly good game either, but when you look at the stats, he still had 10 tackles and the Duck's only TFL. If it takes him two or three games to get it worked out, I'd say that's progressing pretty well.

It is a positive thought. Oregon does play in the Pac-12 and there is a lot of: WSU, Stanford, Arizona, UCLA, Cal, Colorado, Washington, OSU, so if Oregon goes 9-4 or 8-5 a lot of people are gonna be happy and say "coaching change" and "rebuilding year". Given the huge number of key guys likely leaving, 2023 most likely another 9-4 or 8-5 year and a lot of people are gonna be happy and say "still coaching change" and "rebuilding year", "five years to grow the bamboo". And that is fine. I just wonder if we are seeing signs of a program which spent a lot of time and resources getting to where to where it is at, losing ground? Both major roster composition stats have Oregon's roster between #7 and #9 nationally in talent level, and Oregon picked a new $5 million dollar coach and hired a lot of young coaches with some buzz. Oregon has spent maybe 3 decades now getting to the point it can make a legitimate argument most years it is somewhere between maybe 6 and 14 national program each year. The Utah, Utah, Oklahoma, and now Georgia games are NOT showing a program competing at this level right now. They aren't just losing. In those 4 games, while Oregon arguably was even in those games, the first half, Oregon has been outscored: 109 - 6 That's Vanderbilt numbers, that's Arizona numbers, that's Rice numbers, that's Rutgers territory. And that's fine. People will disagree about whether it is a blip or something more. I will say with mega conferences arriving (Oregon appearing to be on the outside right now), the Pac-12 continuing to decline, NIL, portal, huge disadvantages with TV money, continuing to be outside a major recruiting hotbeds, along with everything else... That we might not be seeing Oregon looking like it can AT LEAST compete - like a top 10 type program it has spent 30 years building toward - may be a cause for concern amongst those of us (who for whatever reason) care about such things? Not trying to be completely all "doom and gloom". I'd be happy to field positives.

It's a positive thought. I don't want to speak for my fellow Duck fans but most of us aren't just seeing the program not really be able to compete against just Georgia. It's getting rolled by Utah, getting pounded by Utah two weeks later, getting handled easily (by a just as depleted) Oklahoma team, then looking like an FCS program against Utah. Losses? Ok, not good but ok. Not being able to meaningfully even stay in any of those game and compete? Something else.

I understand trying to find a nice spot to break in a young QB but JB is starting his third year in the program and TT had his break in with Stony Brook last year. That game was OVER. Georgia didn't at all appear to be out for blood, the second half for them looked a lot like they were playing a second Spring game. If you are that scared of throwing a young guy in at that point and somehow destroying some confidence (or whatnot), they likely aren't it.

The big question about the portal for these guys is what exactly do they want to accomplish? Nix has said he plans to stay one season. If true, Oregon once again has a wide open QB spot. If you are a young QB still with the dream of being a power 5 starting QB, and you make a list of teams with an open QB battle, Oregon likely is going to be at or near the top of the list. Most places will have a returning guy, those that don't usually have a logical favored heir apparent, most of those don't still have 3 guys competing who were all rated highly. If you are a QB and happy here, Oregon is going to be about as good a P5 opportunity as any.

I don't know, he also could be thinking I could come in and start and be off to the NFL in 3 seasons? As well, recruits rarely react to one game. I think Notre Dame was his #2? While they certainly looked much better against tOSU (scoring 10), I think tOSU held them to 253 yards of total offense and punted on their last 6 possessions (and their QB only completed 10 passes on the day). I guess Michigan was in there too? Harbaugh's not really known for throwing it around.

Apparently while leaving us without a QB plan, Mario left us without much in the corner cupboard either (thank goodness for Christian Gonzalez as the situation would be even more dire without him). Bridges competed hard but Georgia went after him all game long (not sure what happened with Manning as I didn't see him until the 4th quarter). They also picked on the Duck safeties and nickels early and often - except Addison who played so deep I don't think he really got involved too much (1 tackle). After the Spring game, a bit disappointing to see DJ only get 1 tackle. DL don't always pile up stats but 0 sacks, 0 TFL, and 3 total tackles from DJ, Ware-Hudson, Dorlus, and TaImani. Ugh. Trying not to be hard on guys. Georgia is good.

I can understand that version of the TT or JB narrative above to a point (that the young guys just are not getting it done behind the scenes) but I don't know how it changes too much. Starting QBs can and do get hurt. AB got hurt, Herbert got hurt, VA got hurt, Masoli got hurt, Dixon got hurt, and so on. You might not have confidence in your backup QBs, you might not even like your backup QBs, but that doesn't change you may have to play them for meaningful snaps or even meaningful games. If your starter goes down, you can't really punt on the rest of the season. No matter how bad they might be, it probably will be an even bigger struggle without at least letting them get their feet wet (and experience actual college football).

Maybe it was my imagination, but after the game as the ABC sideline reporter was pulling Kirby in for the post game TV interview, Phil is walking by past and stops and congratulates Kirby, and then walks away. Even Phil was looking pretty dejected.

I find it odd too. Even if you feel good about Bo going forward, playing him being down 49-3 - when the game is ABSOLUTELY and completely over - is just a recipe for getting you starting QB hurt. And if he does get hurt, you then have to turn to one of two guys who you won't even allow to get a bit of play? Bo has been around long enough somehow making a play or two in garbage time after getting rolled isn't likely going to someone change his confidence or trajectory. It might however help one or two of those young guys to get some play against a talented team where it still gets to play with mostly starters on offense with a full playbook still throwing and trying to score.

Bo? What did my untrained eye see? Bo just doesn't seem to see the field well and misses defenders and throws dangerous passes to waiting defenders. This criticism followed him from Auburn (and was on display today when a bad pick ended Oregon's slim chances to stay in the game). It's just gonna hard to be consistently successful doing that. The staring down guys is a problem for a lot of young QBs, but if Bo is going to shake it, we probably should be seeing more signs of it by now. His decision making at times also has been questioned. The announcers didn't seem to critical of the first INT, but it sort of looked forced to me. At the time in the game, the Ducks seemed to be scripting towards taking a shot down field. Obviously they want to get the ball to Seven with some space, but the Georgia DB hadn't taken the bait. You can still take a shot and put one in a spot where the WR has about the only shot, but if you are going to do that, you likely still need to be seeing either your 6-5 WR (Thornton), your 6-4 WR (Cota), or your 6-3 WR (Franklin), not your 5-8 WR (well covered by a 6-1 CB). Even if put in a better spot, that is a tough catch for a 5-8 guy being contested by a bigger defender. He seems to struggle with pressure. Didn't really see him step up in the pocket and deliver a throw. ESPN's box score lists zero sacks by Georgia and zero QB pressures. Yet Bo seemed to be bailing out early all game long, almost as if he is feeling phantom pressure (the OL wasn't great but I didn't see it getting blown off the ball by the pass rush, at least during the meaningful portion of the game). Bo's legs seem fine and will make a few plays per game; but, not exactly a Masoli like guy who you accept a bit less in the passing component because his legs make up for it. As I saw someone else comment, while he occasionally makes a play, he almost cancels it out in numerous plays just bailing out in exactly the wrong direction he needs to go and gets nothing. Finally, I had expected a bit more raw arm juice. Balls seem to come up with either medium zip or float a little. It's ok but it's going to have to be something managed. He isn't going to be lasering the ball around.

Have to agree. This isn't one game, this is getting absolutely rolled in 4 of the last 5. Seeing "rebuilding year" being thrown around, but with the amount of guys likely leaving after this year, its hard to see how the stars line up for 2023. With last year being sort of **blah** 2024 could be beginning following 3 "rebuilding" years. If you are "rebuilding" for 3 years, you likely are no longer "rebuilding". You have stepped all the way back to building it up in the first place (which as we know isn't easy).

They are missing tackles. I'd say it's a bunch of guys processing slowly, reacting slowly, being a step behind, a step or even two out-of-position trying to catch up (and when they do get a shot to make a play, they are so excited, they are over running it and missing it). Just flat being rolled. It is gonna get a lot of discussion but this is now getting totally drilled in 4 games in 5.

Wow they are going after Bridges relentlessly

Impressed with Georgia. Just patiently mixing it up and making it look easy. Announcers just said they just went over 30 yards rushing. Found the Duck weakness (LB in coverage, nickel, and S) and just have been eating their lunch. DL and staff had to see this coming, it's a concern moving forward.

14-0 but driving you are still in the game. The defense is due a stop too. That is just a throw you can't make.

Other than Bassa getting ran over by a freight train of a TE, the front 7 looks ok to me. The DB group is off to a tough start. Georgia to me looks like they are going right at them.