OregonDucks

It would be interesting to see what Oregon's success rate under Lanning and Stein is on 4th and 2 and 4th and 3 (and the points gained/lost). I had no issue with Chip going for it, most of the time, because he seemed to convert nearly 100% of the time. That is not the case with Lanning and Stein. Someone needs to have an intervention with advanced statistics. Dave Bartoo?

LOL. If they went back throughout the game, they might be able to find an additional 30 seconds (or their coach could have called a timeout when the clock was running after the offensive PI)...

I'm not sure that the team would get the timeout back. Would Ohio State want to burn their final timeout for a 5 yard penalty, even if it stopped the clock? Like someone said, you place the extra defender as far away from the play as possible (on the opposite side of the field from the team's bench) and have them "run off the field" without participating in the play. No time added back to the clock. The NCAA did not close a loophole, they are just requiring coaches to take an extra step...

I'm sure that someone can post a picture from another angle, but the Ohio State WR pushed Oregon's CB up around the armpit causing him to stumble back 5 yards and nearly fall to the ground. If this isn't offensive PI, then I don't know what is...

I don't think that the final score matters as much as Oregon proving that they could go toe-to-toe with the most talented teams in college football (Ohio State consistently pulls in top 3 national recruiting classes and has NFL players across the roster). Oregon matched up very well against Ohio State's skill players and showed that they could play just as physical as Ohio State's offensive and defensive fronts at the line of scrimmage. It's too bad the national media attention is focused on the 12 men on the field and offensive PI call...

Evan Stewart was huge and finally showed what he was capable of down the field. It appears that Coach Stein really limited the downfield passing attack earlier in the season, so that he wouldn't tip his hand for the Ohio State game. I was expecting one of those fake bubble screen and go routes (like we saw from Helfrich/Kelly) against the Bucks, but it never happened. Our WRs definitely got the Ohio State CBs on those double moves and, again, credit to the offensive line (the most improved unit) for giving DG a clean pocket and plenty of time for those big plays to develop. I heard that DG was perfect on the downfield throws against Ohio State (4/4?). He should have just dropped back and chucked it down the field on every play, like I used to do in backyard football...LOL. Matayo had a great game but our defensive line definitely missed Burch ("he's a beast"). I don't believe that there is a better defensive line in the country, when healthy. They were just starting to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. No need to rush Burch back, as we'll need him healthy down the stretch. Mr. Anthony Newman really sings Derrick Harmon's praises and he showed why during the Ohio State game - he is so quick for a man his size and is able to swim through the offensive line to wreak havoc in the backfield. The strip fumble was a thing of beauty. How huge were the transfers in the Ohio State game - E Stew, D. Harmon, Tez, DG, et al?!!!

Thanks for the great analysis, as always, Charles. It'll be interesting to see if you are correct and the defense unleashes more exotic pressures in the college football playoffs. If so, it was a huge gamble by Coach Lanning and staff since they were just in a dog fight with a top 3 team at Autzen. Based on the Ducks vs. Them video, it sounds like it was a conscious decision to mainly rush 4 passers against Ohio State (i.e., throw jabs, not haymakers) to not give up the big play. The game plan was also developed assuming that Jordan Burch would be playing, since he was injured during the Thursday practice. Losing him definitely had an impact on the defense, as he is an NFL talent and has been playing tremendous. In terms of the final score, I'm sure that Ohio State could highlight points they should have had (e.g., the turnover, penalties). If you look at the box score, it was an extremely close game that could have been won by either team. Fortunately, on Saturday night, the Oregon Ducks came out on top. I do believe that Coach Lanning can and will use the disrespect by the national media as a motivation for the rest of the season and potential rematch with Ohio State. Neither team should have any problems getting motivated and, as Lanning said, the game will "come down to execution." Go Ducks!!!

Coach Lanning also said that he spoke with Coach Day about the incident, FWIW.

How do the schools/conferences get more money, since they are already under long-term TV agreements with ABC/ESPN for the SEC and Fox/NBC/CBS for the B1G. Unless the TV networks are willing to increase the annual distribution for these games, the networks would be the beneficiary. Also, with the amount of travel for the West Coast B1G teams, I would rather Oregon schedule home or regional games OOC...

I guess the question is - why? With the expanded college football playoff, we’d face these teams in the playoffs. It’ll be harder to play a B1G schedule and then a top SEC team. Could you imagine playing Ohio State, Michigan, USC/Penn State, Washington and Alabama/Georgia? Good luck making the playoff with that schedule. I’d also insist that the SEC adds another conference game.

Feel bad for him but, at some point, you have to start thinking of your long-term health.

Coach Lanning on Dillion Gabriel in Ohio State game: “Every time I went and looked in his eyes tonight, I saw a guy who was composed and ready for his next moment. He played really, really well tonight in some really big moments.” NCAAF News: Ducks HC Dan Lanning makes something clear about Dillon Gabriel's performance BOLAVIP.COM Following the historic victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes last Saturday in the NCAAF, Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning shared his thoughts on QB Dillon Gabriel.

This was the perfect image and should be framed in his office. He's young, smart, energetic, aggressive, great at building relationships and a football mastermind. Who wouldn't want to play for him?!!

If you don't admit to your mistakes, you will not learn from them and keep making the same ones. Perhaps that is why Ryan Day keeps failing when he plays an "equally" talented team? LOL. His time management, at the end of the game, was nearly as bad as Mario Cristobal's. His team was not prepared and didn't seem to know the clock rules. Coach Lanning did and schooled him (i.e., see the intentional 12 men on the field penalty). I personally think he is a jack a**. Before the Oregon game, in the Shoe, he said that he was going to run up the score on Oregon. How'd that work out for you?!

I'm sure that the officials didn't want to call that offensive PI, in that situation, but it was so blatant that they had no choice. I don't know what the talking heads are looking at. The Ohio State WR pushed off the Oregon DB (up high) and sent him 3-4 yards backwards to create separation. That's the very definition of offensive PI. I've seen some people question Chip and Day's decision to throw the ball in that situation. Ohio State was already in field goal range and had a TO remaining. They could have run the ball to try to pick up a few more yards and then called their final TO to set up the FG unit. It's a shame that Oregon is not getting the full credit for the win, on the national stage. Keep winning and get ready for a potential rematch.

Charles: I always look forward to your weekly articles. Can't wait to see your thoughts on this! Happy: No doubt that Burch would have made a difference in this game and Oregon's defensive line did get pressure later in the game. Harmon is unblockable and Matayo was getting in the backfield, especially when Ohio State's OT went down with an unfortunate injury. Perhaps Oregon's coaches didn't think they needed to bring pressure with a healthy line and Burch was injured so late in the week (Thursday?), it was too late by then to make adjustments to the game plan? David: That is correct. By my unofficial count, Ohio State blitzed even less than Oregon did. However, I believe that was more of arrogance on Ohio State's part (i.e., we have an NFL line and no one can block them). I wouldn't be surprised to see more blitzes by Ohio State in a potential rematch, as you can't let DG sit back, comfortably in the pocket, and pick you apart. P.S. - I'm also surprised that we didn't see more DG runs (other than the long TD, which was a brilliant call). Perhaps the coaches are trying to keep him healthy and will unleash him, if Oregon makes the college football playoffs (like we saw with Herbert)?

From what I saw, Oregon rushed 4 defensive lineman most of the night against Ohio State with stunts and a handful of linebacker blitzes mixed in. Is anyone surprised that we didn't see more "simulated pressures" in the Buckeye game that Charles so expertly highlighted in his 2023 article below? Was it because Jordan Burch was out of the game with injury? Were Oregon's coaches concerned with the matchups against Ohio State's running backs and tight ends? I expected a more aggressive defense, in certain situations, in such a big game. Will Howard was comfortable, most of the night, and, when he had time, picked Oregon apart. Of course, if Burch were healthy and full go, it would have been interesting to see if our front 4 would have wrecked more havoc in the game. Thoughts?

FYI, Coach Lanning said that they sent this play in to the B1G Conference, during his press conference this afternoon and the conference admitted that they got the call wrong. Unfortunate that it resulted in an offset to the Ohio State penalty, but at least the conference is B1G enough to admit that they got the call wrong.

Coach Lanning was asked whether the 12 men on the field was intentional during his press conference this afternoon. He didn't outright admit or deny it but said that the team prepares for all situations and you can see the result. LOL. It was totally intentional. Well done, sir. Freakin' genius!

Then they have to go on the road to beat Penn State. Certainly not a gimme.

LOL. Some good ones in there.

Playing those close games early in the season, may have paid dividends in the Ohio State game and going forward. The team is battle tested and has the confidence that they can win a close game. Hopefully, we won't need to the rest of the season (for my heart's sake). Can you say the same about Texas?

No, Ohio State and the officials will blow it, again. Ohio State doesn't lose...

Josh Pate is one, if not my favorite, college football analysts. He loves college football, is well informed and clearly articulates his point of view. College football is lucky to have him covering the sport.

Coach Lanning said that he thought all close calls were automatically reviewed by the review officials and he didn't want to burn a time out so early in the game. I'm sure that Ohio State ran the next play before those upstairs could tell him that he should review the call. Next time, I wonder if he'll hesitate to call a time out...