SoGaDawg

3 possessions and 3 TDs. This could be fun! Correction, I forgot Miami fumbled on their first possession. My point still stands though.

7 points off of a turnover, Iowa St up. Hold that it’s tied! Big run by Martinez. That td reception was impressive as was the td run. Perhaps this will be an interesting game.

I agree, and while I certainly hope that Stockton is in the 1st category, considering his experience and the circumstances I think that is being extremely optimistic. I’m not down on him at all though. I think there is a great chance that he develops into a very good QB. With his teammates rallying around him, I think there is a very good chance that he plays well enough for us to give anyone in the Playoff a good game. I’m bummed about Beck and for Beck, but I’m cautiously optimistic and excited to see Stockton and the Dawgs play.

Yeah, you might be right. I can absolutely understand your point. I have confidence that Lanning & Co will figure the best way to approach the game.

The narrative you speak of will unfortunately be a narrative that many pundits and the like will point to in the case of Oregon besting Georgia. Just like the narrative that UGA only beat Bama in 21 because WR Williams was injured. I don’t subscribe to that type of thinking. Injuries have been a major part of football longer than the forward pass has. It’s just something that a championship team might have to overcome, and if they can’t, then they aren’t Champions and are not the better team. Blaming an injury for a loss is akin to saying something like “Well, we only lost bc they had Michael Jordan on their team.” It’s football, every team deals with injuries. If your QB goes down you must find a way to overcome it. Otherwise, you don’t deserve to win. Frankly, it’s not like GA would definitely win the Natty if Beck was 100%. Neither Beck nor our team has consistently played well this season. In any event, who cares what anyone says? If the Ducks win the Natty, most of you guys won’t care if someone is spouting such nonsense. I can assure you that you will not hear it from this Dawg!

There are too many key matchups in this game for me to attempt to state them and predict which ones will impact the game most. So I’ll just briefly name a few factors that I believe will help decide the outcome. One is the obvious, which defense can get off the field. So as 30Duck stated above, 1st and 3rd downs are key. On 1st it’s important not to get behind the sticks and potentially create 3rd and long which is an obvious passing down. However, it doesn’t matter how a defense gets off the field, so creating turnovers or even forcing FG tries could make a huge impact. One other key about getting off the field will be simply to limit missed tackles. Tackling well in space is paramount to guard against explosive plays. Another key factor will be in-game adjustments. Finding the opponents weakness and exploiting it, as well as adjusting to one’s own weaknesses. I think (hope) that CDL and Co will do well in this area and it very well could decide the outcome. Finally, I agree with Charles that pulling out all the stops will be needed. Perhaps being extra aggressive on a key play where you can create an advantage for your team could be huge. For example, in the SEC championship, the fake punt Kirby called had a tremendous impact on the game. Sometimes it’s just one play that can make all the difference. As for me, I’d like to see Oregon control the flow of the game. Limit the possessions for the Bucks all the while keeping your defense off the field and tiring out tOSU’s defense. This could pay huge dividends late in a close game. So with this, success in the running game is important. I’d love to see Gabriel contribute when possible in the running game as well bc that can make things much tougher even for the Bucks talented defense and could also be key to sustaining drives. This has all the makings of a great and close game which I’m excited about. In truth though, I’d much rather see Oregon destroy the Nuts. GO DUCKS!!!

Just wanted to wish all of my Duck friends a very Merry Christmas! I hope all of you and your families have a wonderful time over these holidays.

I agree, I said that Oregon hit a grand slam the minute they hired Dan Lanning. I hated to lose CDL, but it was absolutely unavoidable. I was overjoyed when he chose to lead the Ducks because I was so afraid he might take a job with a team I can’t pull for, and because I love Oregon football. He is a great coach and is quickly becoming a great HC. If my Dawgs didn’t have Smart, Lanning would be at the very top of my list for a replacement. He keeps getting better and better. He is a perfect fit for Oregon and the fact that he wouldn’t even consider the Bama job emphatically emphasizes just how great of a fit he is in Eugene. Oregon has been a strong program for awhile, but it’s obvious to me that Lanning is exactly what was needed for the Ducks to take the next step. Great coach and great leader. He now has his team ranked #1 in the nation and on the precipice of their first National Championship! Whether it’s this season or not, I truly believe it’s just a matter of time. I wish you luck in the Rose Bowl, Ducks. I’ll be cheering you guys on and pulling for you to destroy tOSU! It’s going to be a heck of a game! GO DUCKS!!!

Well said Jon, I couldn’t agree with you more.

I love it, this is the way!!! Bear is absolutely an exceptional talent. I wish we could have kept him at GA. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pays big dividends at Oregon. Well done CDL if this works out.

Of course he is, a la Kirby Smart

Absolutely, Lanning will be on top of this. I will say that Bear did show potential on the field at GA, but he apparently didn’t fit. Who knows? You can’t blame a kid for chasing money if that was indeed the case. Maybe he is ready to get down to tacs and will be a great fit in Eugene? I truly hope so.

I’m bummed about Beck being injured, I hope it’s not too bad and doesn’t plummet his draft stock. Could be silver linings for us though, Stockton adds a new element for our offense so hopefully that pays dividends? Only time will tell, but GA is still GA so it’s very unlikely we will be an easy out in the Playoff. Heck, we might even see GA vs Oregon before it’s over! I’m excited and worried at the same time!

Let’s Go Ducks!!!!

Bo has transitioned well to the NFL. I’m very happy to see it. Wasn’t happy when he tore my Falcons up last weekend, but I’m very pleased to see him playing so well. He is a winner

Good for Bucky! I loved watching him tote it for the Ducks! Love to see it!

I agree with you. It’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out. As a rule, I think it should be very rare for a 3 loss team to make the Playoff aside from a 3 loss conference winner. If GA were to lose a close game in the SEC championship, perhaps with their resume, they might warrant a spot depending on what the field looks like and assuming they beat GA Tech. In the end, wins and losses should mean something. SOS, eye test, etc….. will be used in an attempt to cut the fat and while being a bit subjective, it’s just the way it’s going to be and we all will have to live with that unless our teams leave no doubt. So far as SEC bias? Of course there is SEC bias. Just as wins and losses mean something, so does reputation. Like it or not, the SEC has all but dominated CFB more years than not on a national stage for awhile now. I don’t mean to convey an arrogant attitude on this just bc my Dawgs are SEC, but of course there is going to be some bias regarding the SEC. If other conferences want to make this bias disappear the fix is simple, don’t let the SEC win National Championships for a few more years and change the narrative. The truth is that if the SEC keeps winning the NC twice every three years the bias will continue.

I guess there is always a bright side.

This season, with new format, is just so new. We really don’t know 100% what will happen with the committee. I do believe that on average an SEC schedule is tougher, but not all SEC schedules are created equally in SOS. Missouri’s isn’t exactly as daunting as GA’s schedule for example. In the end, who knows what conference has the best team or teams? I believe, as someone stated above, that if you don’t finish in the top 3 or 4 of your conference, you’ve got not real grip about not making the Playoff. If GA had lost to TN or if they lose the SEC championship, I’ll be upset, but I will not be fussing about why they deserve a place in the Playoff. As far as SOS goes, you can only play the teams on your schedule. With 12 teams, I feel pretty confident that the best teams will be represented in the Playoff. Yes, I do think GA is one of the best teams in the country, when they play very well, they might be the most dominant team. And yes, if GA plays mediocre again and doesn’t make it, I’ll be bitter for a day or so knowing that my team probably has the potential to beat or at least give a game to any team in the Playoff. Yet ultimately, SOS be-dam, you gotta win. And those teams that aren’t as good as GA will be exposed by the best teams in the Playoff. Yes, I think GA was probably the best team in the country last year, and many think we got hosed. Perhaps we did, but it’s our own fault. We lost when we couldn’t afford to and it bit us in the a$$. Can’t complain too much, if you want to be the dominant team, you must dominate. Leave no DOUBT. If you do, it’s your own fault, or perhaps you’re just not as good as you thought. In the end, all of these factors like SOS and all of the other criteria that the committee will use is past much debate at this point. 12 teams will make it, if you’re not one of those teams, it’s highly likely that you certainly aren’t the best team in the nation anyway.

I agree, they have an emerging leader in Lagway and they have talent. They will be trouble in the SEC next season.

Yep, they ran for 110 in the first quarter. Not what I was expecting!

I can’t disagree with you at all, your points are valid. Also, I hadn’t even thought of a team from the south having to play a game hosted by a team up north in the playoff. It’s going to be interesting. I really hope my Dawgs don’t wind up in that position. I can say from personal experience that it’s quite a shock for someone that grew up in the Deep South to face truly cold weather for the first time. I lived in Canada for years and that first winter was rough in the beginning. I did grow to love the cold weather, except for the ice storms! Ice storms are terrible.

The Ole Miss at Florida game could be much better than expected. I hate to say it but Florida is much better than people think, and the game is in Gainesville. It wouldn’t surprise me if they upset the Rebels. Lagway is young but already a very good QB.

This might not be popular, but the SEC has more good teams and it’s not close. I’m not saying the best team in the country is in the SEC, but playing an SEC schedule is tough. For some teams it’s very tough. How many of you folks think Penn St or Indiana would have only two losses if they played an SEC schedule?

Fl is about to take down LSU. Lagway is gonna be a problem next season.