tee duke

Let's toss out the lopsided wins and look at the numbers from the Penn State, Indiana, and Wisconsin games. 4.5, 2.7, and 4.6 yards per rush. Last time I looked we don't have Rutgers next up on our schedule.

It's not the uniforms. The Ducks can wear whatever they want. The problem for me has been disappointing performance. They can play in their PJs for all I care. As long as they perform, it matters not what they're wearing. When the uniforms become the story you know performance is a problem.

No panic here, just concern. Sacks are a red flag for me. Indiana penetrated at will and very effectively. O-Line play has been my biggest disappointment. They seem unable to open holes for our backs, who can be explosive. It's just not happening like it should. And I really don't want to see more behind the line passes, none, no more. Lastly, Dante needs to get the ball out faster, at least some of the time. Indiana's Mendoza and the freshman from tOSU fire passes like lightning. We need more of that. If we get it, we will be fine.

Nice to see Vandy take it to LSU, Georgia play tough right through to the end against Ole Miss, enjoy the total dogfight between Utah and BYU, and see Arizona State beat Texas Tech. Good going Dilly! TOSU looks like the most capable scoring machine on the field this year and with a freshman QB who is shockingly good.

Biggest surprise was how lame the Scarlet Knights offense looked against the Ducks. They seemed more capable the few times I've seen them play this year. Second biggest was the absence of Novostad. What's that all about?

Mendoza got the ball out quickly. So did Penix, I recall. Indiana took advantage of being able to pressure Dante. Six sacks is a killer. I don't imagine Rutgers will be able to match Indiana's pressure. But if I were calling the Ducks' game I would run a lot.

8 sacks and a lot of hurries by Dante. That speaks volumes. Lots of reasons for that stat, as many have pointed out, but that's a helluva tough hill to climb for any team.

Indiana wiped the floor with Illinois. They also played with great intensity. All those sacks! That's the kind of fire we need to see from the Ducks. So far they haven't played with that kind of intensity against a strong opponent, since they haven't faced one yet this season.

We are not performing well against genuinely weak teams. The Beavs? Montana State? Northwestern? And a somewhat crippled Oklahoma State? There's a real test ahead at Happy Valley. And Indiana is no slouch either, based on how they handled Illinois. Unless our defense can stop the run and our offense can run the ball against strong defensive teams, this is not going to be an easy schedule to navigate successfully.

Oregon's lackluster effort is disappointing, despite some great receptions. I expect to see more effort in the 2nd half. The Ducks had better get things worked out for the Penn State game.

I was disappointed in the Ducks line play. Northwestern's D line, hardly up to the level of Penn State, made things rough for our run game, particularly up the middle.

I compliment Coach Lanning on the way he handled the Gundy comment. Class with sass.

I remember when Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile and turned me into a track fan. Then Pre rekindled that original fire. They both live on.

Lee always brought fun to the show. Missing him will be like missing Keith Jackson. Both among the best.

How about Bobby Moore/Ahmad Rashad? Not a bad professional career.