The Sky Has Fallen? How it Happens for Oregon…

[FishDuck Article]

While we are all hoping for a season for the ages, just for sake of discussion, I thought I might throw out a little Donnie Downer perspective. I am looking at the schedule from three perspectives. The first, if the sky HAS fallen…we lost to the Beavers. If the sky IS falling…we lose to Boise State. If there are dark ...

 

The Sky Has Fallen? How it Happens for Oregon... | FishDuck

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While we are all hoping for a season for the ages, just for sake of discussion, I thought I might throw out a little Donnie Downer perspective. I...

[Jon Joseph]

Thanks, Don.

 

11-1 is doable if the 'ball bounces' in the right direction. At 11-1, Oregon is a Playoff 1st-round home game lock. A 13th B1G champ game in Indianapolis would give the Ducks a shot at a 1st-round bye, a 2nd-round game in the Rose Bowl, and a chance to win the title playing the 16th and not a 17th game.

 

Yes, Madison in November could be problematic with Puddles needing nest time and the Badgers, like the Terps a week earlier, coming off a 'bye' week. This opponent's back-to-back bye-byes is the icing Oregon has been given on top of 8 games in a row without a siesta.

 

UW should be a win but UW will improve over the season and like the Ducks, Washington has the week off before The Cascade Clash. 

 

Roster-wise the only game where the opponent will have a better roster than Oregon is vs. Ohio State on 10/2. But Oregon will have the edge at QB. Good call on Chip being fired up. Like Danno this season, Day, coming off back-to-back losses to That School Up North and Mizzou, needs to win the big games.   

 

Nice Shout Out for an opening game sell out. I hope we don't see a lot of read in the stadium on 10/12. 

 

Let's Play Ball! Mash the Potato Pickers!

[Drake]

Maintaining intensity and our depth will be driving the bus to our success. We will need to rest starters by blowing out lesser teams, and No Running the QB until it is necessary.

 

Letting Gabriel stand on the sideline for the 4th quarter will pay dividends.
 

Our stout OL, QB’s, RB’s, and WR’s = points. Add in the stout DL, fast LB’s, and DB’s = wins. 
 

Let’s play ball and see how many wins this adds up too. 

 

[Charles Fischer]

On 8/14/2024 at 9:36 AM, Drake said:

No Running the QB until it is necessary.

 

[DanLduck]

A lot will depend on our qb play.

And everyone staying healthy. 

 

If there is a chance for DG to win the Heisman, how do we sit him in the 4th?

 

I think it will be interesting to see how the coaches sub players this year. In the past 2 years there was lots of rotating guys in and very few guys had high snap counts.

 

We are pretty deep all across the board. Could see a lot of guys playing. That would help keep everyone healthy. 

 

I think tOSU, Mich, Maryland and Wisconsin are the games I most fear.

But I too like 11-1, possibly losing to the Chip Kelly run offense in a close one.

[Solar]

Fun article, thank you. That being said I don't agree with Michigan and Ohio State being separated by 5 percent. I think Ohio State should be at 50% and if I'm really being honest it's more like 55-60% even as a home game.

 

But hey predictions aren't wrong unless you give zero chance and it goes against you, so we will both be right, haha.

 

Can't wait to watch the games be played.

[Solar]

On 8/14/2024 at 11:32 AM, DanLduck said:

A lot will depend on our qb play.

And everyone staying healthy. 

 

If there is a chance for DG to win the Heisman, how do we sit him in the 4th?

 

I think it will be interesting to see how the coaches sub players this year. In the past 2 years there was lots of rotating guys in and very few guys had high snap counts.

 

We are pretty deep all across the board. Could see a lot of guys playing. That would help keep everyone healthy. 

 

I think tOSU, Mich, Maryland and Wisconsin are the games I most fear.

But I too like 11-1, possibly losing to the Chip Kelly run offense in a close one.

Yes, rotational depth prevents injuries which gives you even less injuries by the end of the year.

 

And as the quality of our depth increases I would expect to see rotation increase even more.

 

Definitely more important to give QB #2, 3 experience, and minimize opportunity for Gabriel to get hurt than him winning a Heisman. Once the game is firmly in hand, get him out.

[Smith72]

"If there is a chance for DG to win the Heisman, how do we sit him in the 4th?"

 

If game is in control and no chance for a lesser team to comeback it's important to rest your starters.

 

IMHO,

#1 you risk cheap shots to your starters.

#2 winning the season and winning the conference is more important than a Heisman.

#3 all players who bust their behinds to create a good week of practice deserve playing time!

#4 TEAM is more important.

 

[tee duke]

There are no givens in football

 

The Ducks are facing a long stretch of competitive play in the B1G. I also fear the obvious powers, tOSU, Michigan, Wisconsin, as well as Maryland. The last is no slouch. That long schedule will wear down players, force injuries, and place an emphasis on having a Plan B. Prayer will help.

[Drake]

On 8/14/2024 at 11:32 AM, DanLduck said:

If there is a chance for DG to win the Heisman, how do we sit him in the 4th?

Scoreboard and wins. No need to see an injury in a blow out win.
 

Mariota sat in the 4th in a number of games. The backups need experience in case of injury, good for moral, and the future. 
 

Developing players is part of the game. Can’t always rely on a Heisman caliber QB transferring to Oregon each year. 

[SoGaDawg]

On 8/14/2024 at 3:41 PM, Smith72 said:

"If there is a chance for DG to win the Heisman, how do we sit him in the 4th?"

 

If game is in control and no chance for a lesser team to comeback it's important to rest your starters.

 

IMHO,

#1 you risk cheap shots to your starters.

#2 winning the season and winning the conference is more important than a Heisman.

#3 all players who bust their behinds to create a good week of practice deserve playing time!

#4 TEAM is more important.

 

This is exactly what I was thinking.  The Heisman would be great, but not at the expense of the team.  I’d love to see Gabriel or Beck win, but I’d rather see the Ducks and Dawgs have great seasons.  

[Jon Joseph]

On 8/14/2024 at 3:41 PM, Smith72 said:

"If there is a chance for DG to win the Heisman, how do we sit him in the 4th?"

 

If game is in control and no chance for a lesser team to comeback it's important to rest your starters.

 

IMHO,

#1 you risk cheap shots to your starters.

#2 winning the season and winning the conference is more important than a Heisman.

#3 all players who bust their behinds to create a good week of practice deserve playing time!

#4 TEAM is more important.

 

Let's hope this "problem" repeatedly happens. He didn't sit much at Oklahoma last season. In 2023, Gabe's last drive heroics beat Texas and Kansas. 

 

I'm more concerned about the O-line and D-line guys being rotated. With the experience on the O-line, and as well as Bo was protected last season, I don't see a lot of opponents other than Ohio State and perhaps Michigan, that will be able to put pressure on Gabe. 

[Haywarduck]

Question of the day, "If there is a chance for DG to win the Heisman, how do we sit him in the 4th?"

 

Quick answer, you blow out the team you're playing in three quarters. You also put up amazing stats in those three quarters. Lastly you go undefeated, or are impressive in each game.

 

The big thing is DG is already in the hunt for the Heisman, and will be watched carefully. It won't be like he needs to play every minute so the pundits notice him. Few mistakes, and lots of productivity while on the field will add up to a Heisman season. 

 

Lastly winning the Heisman, or any award is secondary to the ultimate goal, win it all. Each player takes care of their time on the field and wins games! The Heisman usually goes to the best player on the best team, basically. We need to be the best team, Gabriel needs to be the best player and the rest will take care of itself.

 

I would also say the sky will have fallen if somebody gets hurt and we don't have the next man up ready. We need everyone ready, who is able to contribute. This means sitting our qb and giving real minutes to the back-up. It also means resting some dominant players so they can be even more dominant when they are in there. I have faith Lanning has this figured out, and few things are going to trip him up on his way to......

[MicroBurst61]

On 8/14/2024 at 11:32 AM, DanLduck said:

there is a chance for DG to win the Heisman, how do we sit him in the 4th?

 

By being up 45-10; with Gabriel's stat line reading 17 of 22 / 340 yds. / 4TD / 47 yds Rushng / 1 TD.

 

THUS keeping him fresh throughout the season.  Limit chance of injury.  Get Moore, and others, additional reps under GameDay Stein offense.  Intimidate current and future opponents with our Gabriel led, unstoppable, offensive juggernaut.

 

Yeah, do that for eight games this season and "Gabe" will be A lock to visit New York.  (Other four games, Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Maryland, Gabriel will be in for the entire game....sorry Washington we will have our revenge complete by the time "Shout" is echoing through Autzen!). Which will only "up" his stat lines even more.

 

Remember the Ducks have an eight game conference stretch without a bye, two of those games have the opponent coming off of a bye before playing us.  So roster management will be more significant than usual and giving rest to your starters is one of the best ways to do so.

 

I swear I definitely give Waayyy to much thought to the nuances of something I have absolutely no control or effect on.  Naaahhh, I don't have Duck Football living 24/7 in my head!

 

Oh yeah.... Fandom!  GO Ducks!