OregonDucks

Thank you for the detailed analysis and write-up, Charles. After reading your article, I am even more concerned about Oregon's offensive line play. Based on the clips, it looks like there are issues with assignments, technique and desire. I'm sure that the offensive line got their butts handed to them during film study earlier this week. Below are a few questions for you or someone more knowledgable about offensive line: 1. How correctable are the issues that you are seeing and how long should it take to "right the ship"? 2. Are we really thin on the offensive line that we can't patch it up for one game (note: it's not like we were playing Ohio State)?

Yikes. Look at those shadows! The sun might have impacted DG's vision on this play.

Primetime with Isaac and Suke › Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning https://www.audacy.com/podcast/primetime-with-isaac-and-suke-d0695/episodes/oregon-head-coach-dan-lanning-4c0a6

Good idea. However, someone mentioned that it is not that simple, it takes time to get comfortable playing the other side (e.g., technique). If Oregon were going to do this, they should have made the switch in spring or fall camp.

Yes, but we haven’t really seen that at Oregon. Bo took some deep shots but some called him “check down Bo.” I don’t think it was Bo but rather Coach Stein’s offensive philosophy - get the ball out quick to your playmakers and let them make the defender miss. The issue is that better defenses will crowd the line of scrimmage. Does Coach Stein have counters in his playbook (e.g., fake WR screens, hitch and go routes) like we used to see from Chip/Helfrich, who were masters at setting up a defense.

That was Oklahoma’s offense - downfield passes to their talented WRs. Makes you wonder if this is just Oregon’s offensive philosophy under Coach Stein…

I share his concern. It could be a long season if Oregon can’t get the offensive line issues fixed quickly (see Colorado last year). I’m looking forward to Charles’ article on Friday and to learn whether he believes it can be a quick fix.

I have no faith the Coach Lanning will make the right call on 4th and short. As I mentioned in another post, I didn’t mind when Chip went for it because he was successful most of the time (the option was nearly impossible to stop with a mobile QB running it). However, our success rate under Lanning/Stein on 4th and short has to be closer to 50%. Coach Lanning’s decisions might have cost Oregon the first Husky game last year and will bite us in the butt eventually. I was hoping that he learned his lesson last year but apparently not.

Thank you, Charles. Lanning said that Idaho’s defense was playing two deep, resulting in the check downs. However, as you pointed out, DG missed some open receivers downfield. Perhaps he didn’t have confidence in his offensive line? IIRC, he got popped on his first downfield throw. In the first photo, it appears that #93 beat his blockers and has a clear path to the QB (shows how bad our blocking was). There is also a safety over the top so I believe that DG made the right read here. In the second photo, DG is already scrambling to the left side of the field. Unless you are Bo Nix or have a Justin Herbert sized cannon for an arm, most coaches do not want a QB throwing back across the field so I can’t fault him with this decision. What a nice cut by Stewart on your third example! DG probably should have recognized that he had single coverage on the outside, pre snap, and threw the ball before Stewart made his cut. Hopefully, Stewart gets some downfield receptions this weekend for his effort. In your fourth and last example, I don’t like how we are throwing the ball short on 3rd and goal. T. Ferg is wide open but the defense wants the offense to make that throw so that they can come up and make the tackle before the end zone. Doesn’t seem like a good play call for 3rd and goal from the 13 yard line. Take a shot in the end zone! Thank you for taking the time to post the pictures and thoughts. I don’t believe that DG made the wrong decision in the first two examples. However, he probably should have recognized the coverage in the third and knew the situation better in the fourth. Hopefully we see significant improvement next week (especially along the offensive line) and as DG gets more comfortable in the system and with the players around him. Go Ducks!!!

I have no confidence in Coach Lanning’s in-game decisions on 4th down. Chip was aggressive on 4th down but he seemed to convert it most of the time. The opposite appears to be the case with Lanning/Stein. I just hope it doesn’t cost Oregon a game.

Moving the pocket could also help (e.g., bootlegs).

It would stink being 0-2 after week 1…

Other than the Texas / Michigan game, there isn’t another top 25 matchup next weekend, if I’m not mistaken. Therefore, it’s more likely the national sports media will be talking about the Ducks on Saturday before moving on to the opening weekend of the NFL on Sunday.

I’m personally glad that they aren’t talking about the Ducks because it wouldn’t be positive right now.

Unless Oregon loses a couple of games…

Idaho played disciplined and fundamentally sound football against the Ducks. Credit to their coaches. However, Idaho has a roster full of 2-3 star recruits. Oregon should have been able to line up in base packages and beat them easily, if Oregon played a clean game. Some of Coach Lanning’s in-game coaching decisions (e.g., fake punt) also may have made the final outcome closer than necessary.

I hope you’re right (you know much more about offensive line than I do). I have no concerns about our offensive tackles. They are proven players and will clean up the penalties. I’m more concerned with the interior offensive line and Oregon’s inability to replace one starter. Where is the depth?

I thought Oregon’s defense played really well against Idaho with the exception of the two scoring drives (one was on a trick play). Oregon’s defensive line wrecked havoc and should be the strength of the team this year. Boise State will test our rushing defense. I’m much more concerned with Oregon’s offense, especially the offensive line.

I don’t mind for the first game, as a way to work out the kinks. How many FBS teams would Oregon have beaten with the way they played on Saturday?

Can't disagree with this. Oregon is lucky to be still ranked in the top 10 after that stinker of a performance.

Oregon needs to recruit and develop depth, the coaches need to prepare the players better to show up and execute every single game and our offense needs to stretch the field vertically. For all we heard about depth (including the last episode of "That Team Out West"), it sure didn't show up on the offensive line vs. Idaho. How are we not able to replace one starter on offensive line against a FCS (Division I-AA school)? Josh Pate said that Kirby Smart would never have let his team shown up unprepared, like Oregon's did this past weekend. Perhaps the team was reading too much of their press clippings. If you listen to Coach Smart, you'd think that the media is against the team and they are underdogs every game (even when they are the consensus and undisputed #1 team). He creates a chip on his team’s shoulder (even manufactures one). Perhaps it's the weakness on the offensive line but Oregon will not be able to win the big games against the best teams without a more vertical passing attack. Teams like Ohio State, Michigan, et al will press the line of scrimmage unless Oregon shows it can beat them vertically. Does Coach Stein have counters like we used to see from Kelly/Helfrich (fake WR screens)?

UW's OOC: Weber State Eastern Washington Washington State UO's OOC: Idaho Boise State Oregon State Sure we can: Washington is playing 2 FCS (Division I-AA) schools OOC; Oregon played one. Oregon's SOS is ranked higher by most (e.g., College Football News, Power Rankings Guru, SI).