SoGaDawg

If the Ducks are successful using rubs on crossing routes GA fans will call it a pick and be pissed when they see no flag. Truth is, most passionate fans do see a pick even when a rub is used flawlessly against their team.

I’d like to again thank all you Ducks that responded to my questions. Your posts have been helpful, interesting, and very enlightening.

Just like last season, we lost some talented players to the portal this year. I’m finding in today’s game, that is a byproduct of recruiting at an elite level. I think the number this year is 7 we’ve lost. I don’t really blame the players, they are talented and want to play. It can payoff for some, like DE Jermaine Johnson last year. He went to FSU, balled out and got taken in the first round. It will likely pay off for WR Jermaine Burton this season. He will get more targets at Alabama than he would have at GA. Kirby will use the portal to fill needs, but not extensively. Last season he got Tykee Smith a very good safety and CB Derion Kendrick who we really needed and he paid off. We also got TE Arik Gilbert and he is looking very strong right now. This season he hasn’t gotten any players from the portal that I can think of. He did go after Calab Williams when he hit the portal, but that’s the only player I remember him pursuing.

I agree 100% that experience on the O-line is invaluable. Especially if the lineman get that experience playing together. If they can stay on the same page as far as blocking assignments, what they see, and how they read the defense, I think it makes for a much more productive O-line.

The concern about handling elite edge rushers makes sense considering this.

That makes sense. Thank you both for responding. I can definitely see how Mario’s scheme could make it difficult for the O-line. Dillingham’s scheme will be much better. He will emphasize getting playmakers in space. I think in the ground game instead of just trying to muscle and bully the D, he will use some gap schemes and zone blocking at times. Also plays to overload one side to maximize effective blocking such as pulling linemen. Anything to create more blockers in front than defenders. It should be effective at keeping the D more honest, especially when mixing in the pass. He seems to be much better at choosing plays as a reaction to the sets and potential assignments of the defense as opposed to just attempting to bully between the tackles.

I’m a little conflicted in my expectations for Oregon’s O-line. Every article I’ve read has been very positive when referring to Oregon’s O-line. One list I remember even had Oregon rated in the top 5 in the nation. (Can’t remember the publisher). And for the most part, the comments I’ve seen on this forum have been positive. Some very positive. My conflict arises bc lately I’ve seen some exceptions. I’ve read in some places and seen some posts that hint that the O-line might be overrated. Some outright saying that last Season the O-line struggled against the better D-lines that they faced. I watched Oregon when I could last year but honestly don’t remember if they struggled. I’m only referring to the comments posted by those that I’m confident are Duck fans. My question is, what opinions do you guys have on this subject? I’m certainly still leaning in the direction that they are very good. On a different thread I posted that Oregon’s O-line was experienced as every starter was at least a 5th year senior. Pac 10again, pointed out sometimes the problem with 5th year seniors is they might not be an NFL talent, but it doesn’t matter unless going against elite players. What do you guys think on this?

When I look at the players that I expect to start or be impact players for Oregon on offense, I gotta say I’m a little intrigued. The O-line has a ton of experience with all the starters being at least a 5th year seniors. (Please correct me if I have the starters wrong) Offensive Skill players is what really intrigues me. Aside from QB (assuming Nix), you guys have so many talented young starters and impact players here. I mean just a ton of sophomores in skill spots that will start or at least get ample playing time. It’s a good thing, it’s just rare to see so many players that were freshmen last season being talented enough to have the impact that I think they will this season. TEs, WRs, RBs, and in the slot. Talented young guys at literally every position. I thought it was pretty cool for us last season when our top 3 receivers were freshmen. Bower’s stats were really good and while the other two didn’t have great stats, they were both a big part of the offense.

Great analysis of our guys. If I had to pick 1 position group from 1 team in this game to have the biggest impact on the outcome, I would pick the GA O-line. As our line goes, so goes the effectiveness of our offense. Of coarse this is true for most teams, but I really see the guys listed above as the driving force of our offense and our style of offensive play.

If Oregon can accomplish these 3 things then yes it will dramatically increase their chances of winning. If the Ducks stop the GA ground game it would be huge, but it’s not likely to happen. That’s not a hit against Oregon’s front 7 at all, I think they are going to be very good. It’s just a big ask even for the best of defenses. But even slowing down the ground game would be big. Not allowing GA to make those long time consuming drives that keep the D on the field would be big. If Oregon can play well against the run it will also lead GA to more 3rd downs while giving the Ducks D a much better chance to get off the field on 3rd down. One thing I would add that could be key for Oregon is just playing mistake free football. Yes that’s cliche, but really important. Getting behind the chains bc of a dumb penalty is killer against a good D. If the GA D starts playing lights out and forces the O off the field that’s one thing, but don’t give them any help at all. That goes for turnovers also. If Oregon can play mistake free who knows, GA might make some big mistakes that really impact the game. I’m looking at things objectively, and can you imagine the difference it could make if the Ducks are plus 2 in turnover margin. That’s all I can say about this right now. Thinking of all the ways Oregon might pull the upset is starting to make me nervous.😂

I was thinking the same. It’s going to be a huge ask to defend these TEs. But these guys have a rare combination of size and speed that certainly could give them an upside for this assignment that most players don’t have. It’s going to be interesting. How are these guys cover skills?

Are you thinking Addison and Bridges will be a big part of Dans plan?

Cool, the depth chart I looked at showed him at LG, so that’s why I asked. I also read several places that he is likely the Ducks most talented lineman. If that’s the case, him at LT is probably a good idea for this game. Especially if he played there last season. Situation reminds me of our Jemaree Salyer last year for us. He is a guard in the NFL but played LT for us last season bc we had more proven depth at guard. In the NC game we were struggling to block Bama’s defensive front early so in the second quarter the coaches moved Salyer to RG and brought in RSF Broderick Jones to play LT. We didn’t run the ball effectively until after this move. Jones had started there a few games while Salyer recovered from injury earlier in the season. Thanks for answering. I tried to thank you with an emoji under your post but it wouldn’t work. It kept enlarging the gif instead.😂

Is TJ Bass going to line up at LT?

Yep, I’m not particularly a Saban fan lately for obvious reasons. But it’s hard to argue with results. Saban is the man. And indirectly Saban played at least a small part in GA being where they are now, as I’m sure Kirby learned a good bit in his time coaching under Saban. Alabama isn’t traditionally a big GA rival. The rivalry has only come to real prominence since Saban has been there, and GA coming so close so many times only to fall just short behind Bama. To be honest, before this past season it was a bit odd to call it a rivalry bc even though GA came close several times and almost always barely lost to Bama, we always lost the big games to Bama and Saban. It’s awesome to have great confidence in your team, but I can tell you from experience that patience can pay off. And beating Bama for the NC was a little sweeter after having come up just short so many times.

I agree. I look forward to reading your analysis of the Mint defense. I certainly don’t have a firm grasp of this defense. I do think this scheme is one of the reasons that GA has been so effective at stopping the run in recent years.

I believe the RPO can be very effective so long as the QB can make the correct reads. But the way that GA defense acts pre-snap with their alignment and attempts to disguise assignments and coverages will likely make it a tough job for even a veteran QB to consistently make the correct reads.

I see your Schwartz is as big as mine!

I’ll go with Seven McGee. From taking handoffs and catching passes to being explosive in the return game, he will shine as a plug and play star for the Ducks.

Your guys points are well taken. Duquesne isn’t exactly a powerhouse, and the tackling was very bad.

So many games are won or lost on the LOS. I completely agree, this game will be no different in that respect.

I agree. And the changes of transfer rules have absolutely effected how coaches go about managing players.

Yes, lack of experience absolutely showed up in the Spring Game. I still don’t understand why they got so little reps in games with the outcome decided last season. Of coarse Bennet didn’t go through that off-season as the starter so it’s possible that they wanted to maximize his reps I guess. I’m still not sure about the free agency of invasion of college sports. On one hand I can see how it can help athletes find the right fit and help teams in areas in which they are weak or struggling. On the other hand it is really hard for me to get used to it. For better or worse it’s here to stay.

I think other fans (such as Dawg fans) perception of Oregon football is a product of their perception of the Pac-12 conference. They are lazy and do little or no research on the changes of other programs. And lazy pundits (supposed experts) negatively portraying Oregon all but ensures that these fans will not have an accurate picture of the true state of Oregon football. This and the fact that they perceive the the Pac-12 as a weak conference is likely most responsible for their unjust belief that Oregon is not a top tier program. Yes, we aren’t sure what the Duck’s program is capable of this season or in the coming seasons yet. But there is IMHO very many reasons to be quite optimistic for the near future and for what’s coming around the next corner. The good thing is, as you say we will find out soon.

Yep, we lost one of our best wideouts Jermaine Burton to the portal and Bama. I’m sure it’s because he felt he would have a chance to see the ball more and maximize his stats with Young at QB in Bama’s high octane passing offense. I was disappointed, but can’t say I blame him. Bama probably gives him a better chance to increase his nfl draft stock. There is a big financial difference for a player going early in the draft as opposed to going late. And if you go late, there is no guarantee that you will even make an nfl roster, but if a team spends a high draft pick on you, it’s likely that you will get every chance to make the team. I was disappointed last season that our young QBs didn’t get much experience late in games. Many of our games were decided well before the 4th quarter started, yet our young QBs didn’t play much. And when they did play they just handed off the ball 90% of the time. I’m all for good sportsmanship, but it’s important to get young players meaningful reps in games. Especially young QBs.