Oregon Still Undefeated, So Why Are Some Ducks Fans Unhappy?

[FishDuck Article]

After a series of bizarro non-conference games, the No. 6 Oregon Ducks opened their Big Ten schedule with a 34-13 road victory over the UCLA Bruins in a midnight clash at the Rose Bowl. The Ducks improved to 4-0 for the second-straight season, gaining some traction in the AP rankings after backsliding due to underwhelming victories. Since sleepwalking past Idaho ...

 

Oregon Still Undefeated, So Why Are Some Ducks Fans Unhappy? |...

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After a series of bizarro non-conference games, the No. 6 Oregon Ducks opened their Big Ten schedule with a 34-13 road victory over the...

[OregonDucks]

It all comes down to expectations.

 

Many expected Oregon to compete for the B1G championship, earn a spot in the college football playoffs and even be a contender for the national championship this season (ESPN Gameday's Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard picked Oregon to win the NC and Nick Saban predicated Oregon would lose to Georgia in the NC game). The University of Oregon Athletic Department leaned into those expectations with pre-season marketing activities.

 

This team has talent but has not put it all together for a full 60 minutes, even against weaker competition like Idaho, Oregon State and UCLA. Meanwhile, I have been watching other top college football teams dominate (e.g., Texas, Tennessee, Ohio State) or play close games against top competition (e.g., Alabama, Georgia). Right now, I do not believe that Oregon could compete with those teams. However, it's a long season and Oregon could/should get better.

 

Based on my observations, I believe that Oregon is appropriately ranked but has a lot of work to do, if we want to be a national title contender.

[Haywarduck]

You questioned the programs ceiling, I question the floor. I keep seeing the potential and then see mistakes, lack of execution, and seemingly a lack of effort.

 

I think the question is how low can our Ducks go with all this talent? We still know they can go to extreme heights, but if they keep playing this way we may see more losses than many have forecasted.

 

So is the fanbase just replacing lofty expectations with a fear of a collapse against the coming travel and teams with more talent? The perceived unhappiness might just be a resetting of expectations so our heartfelt dreams aren't crushed!

 

Let's just keep our hopes high that all that training Puddles did preseason gets used and he ends up exhausted. That will be my metric going forward, and so far Puddles isn't getting his workout. Like my dogs that makes for a very upset household!

[30Duck]

On 9/30/2024 at 5:40 AM, OregonDucks said:

It all comes down to expectations.

Very true, Their weren't such expectations for Miami, but when they started demolishing their Bottom 10 schedule, people went crazy. Their gift of a win over unranked Virginia Tech brought some reasonability to their accomplishments. The Ducks on the other hand underperformed in their early games, though Boise State has a great chance of making the Playoff, and Ashton Jeanty should be the overwhelming favorite for the . Heisman trophy.

 

Ohio State's schedule hasn't been as tough as Oregon's, but the Buckeyes took care of business, though their beatdown of Michigan State was similar to Oregon's of UCLA. Michigan State and Iowa stand in the way of Ohio State and Oregon before they face off at Autzen. Winner take all. 

 

 

[Mike West]

As noted very well in the comments, OBD just don't look like top three material.  

 

Not one freshman is playing for OBD.  There are several from the cream of the crop playing for the current top three 

 

Now that wouldn't be as much a concern if our starters were playing like Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee and Ohio State.  They're not.  

 

We lack the intensity, and I'm not quite sure we would look that good if we did match their intensity. 

 

The Oregon State game was the best we've seen, and that was at 75% capacity.  We looked more choppy in Pasadena, even when we're were running on all cylinders.

 

I also believe Penn State is playing better football.

 

What really gets me is players like Jeffery Bassa jaw jacking like he's been tearing it up.  Frankly, Boetcher and Jackson are playing better.  Mouthing off never wins titles. 

 

That tells me where this team is at.  All huff and puff, but they can't blow the house down.  

They're not mentally willing to put the pieces together.  Or they just don't believe they can.  Or both. 

 

Whatever it is, they are not focused.  They are not intense.  They are not performing anywhere near what it takes to win a title. 

 

The wild thing about it is, I think they are a notch below the cream ability wise, but the coaches have them in position to play above their capabilities.  

 

Sometimes you have to get humiliated to realize there really is no tomorrow.  I'm seeing a seven to ten points loss to Ohio State.  I feel there will be enough mistakes to wake this team up.  Make them realize thinking you can do it isn't the same as dedicating yourself to doing it. 

 

None of the teams they played, especially Boise State, should have been in the game after the first quarter.  That lack of killer instinct is telling. 

[noDucknewby]

Unhappy? No.

 

Concerned? Yes.

[Santa Rosa Duck]

I may have been drinking the Kool Aid. I am happy at this point. I think we are improving each game. I am not concerned about the second half because UCLA did not bring much to the table. I think we will have a much more competitive game Friday night. We will win that game by 14+ and then bring on The Ohio State University who will probably be favored by say 7 points. Then we crush the Buckeyes in Eugene! GO DUCKS! More Kool Aid please.

[Chuck Duck]

I watched the Oregon/UCLA game on the east coast, so my observations are that of somebody who was half asleep during the game. However, it seemed to me that when Oregon wanted to go 100%, they were unstoppable and looked the part of a team who can compete with any top tier team in the nation.

 

After Oregon had a comfortable lead, the offense became very predictable and was easy for UCLA to defend. I’m wondering if the coaching staff is still trying to hold back and not expose too much of their playbook if they don’t have to.

 

Either Oregon still has a lot of work to put in or we just haven’t seen what they can do yet. I’m hoping to see the Ducks break out once OSU visits, because until then it’s all speculation and wins are wins and I’ll take them!

 

 

[Charles Fischer]

Thank you Jordan, as the potential is there....and it is a long season. Perhaps this is a slow road to peaking in time for the Playoff?

 

 

 

[Charles Fischer]

On 9/30/2024 at 9:09 AM, Chuck Duck said:

I’m wondering if the coaching staff is still trying to hold back and not expose too much of their playbook if they don’t have to.

I think that is a very good point; don't show any more playbook, and run the ball to burn clock and shorten the game?

 

[JabbaNoBargain]

After the Idaho game? Deeply concerned.

 

Now? We’re 4-0 with two road wins and win over a BSU team that is likely to make the playoff, possibly even as a top-4 seed given the trajectory of the B12.

 

We have a dominant D and an offense that keeps improving.

 

The comparing of apples and oranges is an interesting phenomenon, I get it, that’s what fans do. But extrapolating what tOSU did against Akron, Western Michigan, and Marshall into some forecast of doom for OBD because we struggled against BSU and Idaho is a false equivalency imo.

 

No paper champions in September for beating a slate of nobodies.

[Charles Fischer]

On 9/30/2024 at 9:40 AM, JabbaNoBargain said:

We have a dominant D and an offense that keeps improving.

I think that perfectly describes where we are at....

 

 

[The Kamikaze Kid]

After a preseason #3 ranking, expectations were for this year to be a legit top five team with a legit shot at a championship.

 

Now I think reality may be setting in that this may be a top ten team that may become top five but a championship is becoming a fading dream.

Being 50/50 against other top ten teams or being an underdog to top fives might be less than we hoped but still puts OBD in the playoff hunt with a chance for the final four. To me that still makes for an exciting season and maybe pulling off a couple special plays from a very special season.

 

Basa’s gonna score!

BASA’S GONNA SCORE!!!

 

I’ll take it.

 

[30Duck]

On 9/30/2024 at 9:40 AM, JabbaNoBargain said:

We have a dominant D and an offense that keeps improving.

Having a dominant D, to go with Oregon's high octane offense is what Herbie & Des  thought would be when they picked Oregon to win their first Natty. the high octane has been stuck in neutral so far. But the flux capacitor is on the way. 

 

 

Edited September 30 by 30Duck

[DuckFan93]

The Offense's no show in 2nd half is indicative of an issue throughout this season and maybe in the last season as well - our seeming inability to adjust and motivate at half time.    Sure, UCLA had one grudge-bearing former duck that was wreaking havoc on us, taking out Fergeson and intercepted a ball.  So we just folded after that?   That's unacceptable if we want to win the B1G or go beyond.  

 

The leaders of OBD team need to be mentally tougher!

 

BTW, not wishing for anyone to get hurt, and I am not noble, but was nice to see Tez knocked out Addison in Q3...

[QuackyQuack]

On 9/30/2024 at 10:32 AM, DuckFan93 said:

So we just folded after that?   That's unacceptable if we want to win the B1G or go beyond.  

 

The leaders of OBD team need to be mentally tougher!

I have to disagree with most on this here. I am not worried at all.

 

I believe the coaching staff did exactly what they needed to do. There was zero doubt Oregon was going to win this game after the first half. The coaches made a very cognitive decision to take their foot off the gas and get out of there with as little effort and injuries as possible. Its a short week with MSU on Friday and they did not want to waste any extra energy or show any more of their playbook. All they wanted to do is have the clock run and get home as soon as possible. 

 

Another aspect I have not seen talked about for the UCLA game is the environment in the stadium. I was there, and sure the first half of the game had about 60% occupancy, but the 2nd half? No joke by the end it was probably 15% full. How do you internally push yourself to perform at the highest level when the game is already in the bag and the stadium is dead quiet? Do you show your playbook and risk injury just so your fans are happy that you win by 30 instead of 20? No you do not. A win is a win. You take your foot off the gas and run the ball to keep the clock moving and get home as soon as possible. 

[David Marsh]

I do think some of the angst is really stemming from looking at teams like Ohio State and Georgia and Bama and seeing how they are dispatching opponents without too much difficulty and then looking at our Ducks struggle when they should be the same caliber of team is hard to swallow. Those are also teams with National Championship aspirations and they are taking care of business whereas it feels like the Ducks have struggled to get this far. 

 

With that said... I think we have a good test in Michigan State this Friday. No, they are not a world beating Michigan State team but they are a conference opponent and not sitting at the bottom of the conference like UCLA. This is a great game for Oregon to put together four quarters of play and then turn around and take on the challenge of Ohio State. 

 

Ohio State has looked fine and they have taken care of business so far but they don't feel super dominant in doing so even though the score board shows they are dominant. 

[DuckFan93]

On 9/30/2024 at 10:43 AM, QuackyQuack said:

I believe the coaching staff did exactly what they needed to do. There was zero doubt Oregon was going to win this game after the first half. The coaches made a very cognitive decision to take their foot off the gas and get out of there with as little effort and injuries as possible. Its a short week with MSU on Friday and they did not want to waste any extra energy or show any more of their playbook. All they wanted to do is have the clock run and get home as soon as possible. 

 

I hope you are right about that being a designed strategy.  Although if that were indeed the case, shouldn't we have played the backups more, and kept DG out of harms way, especially since their D was playing dirty?

 

And right after HT, shouldn't we have at least played hard for a couple of series and got some scores, after that pick-6, instead of being blanked for the entire quarter?   

Edited September 30 by DuckFan93

[DuckFan93]

On 9/30/2024 at 10:52 AM, David Marsh said:

I do think some of the angst is really stemming from looking at teams like Ohio State and Georgia and Bama and seeing how they are dispatching opponents without too much difficulty

And Georgia,  how they fought back after 7-30 HT against Alabama.   I really don't feel OBD has that kind of fight right now.  Hope I am wrong.

Edited September 30 by DuckFan93

[30Duck]

On 9/30/2024 at 10:52 AM, David Marsh said:

No, they are not a world beating Michigan State team but they are a conference opponent and not sitting at the bottom of the conference like UCLA.

Though Ohio State did handle Michigan State the same way Oregon did cellar dweller UCLA. Ohio State has coasted through their schedule so far, haven't faced a potential Playoff team like Boise State, Iowa should be something of a test this week.

[VegasDuck]

I'm not a fan of this offensive system but I'm optimistic about reaching the playoffs. We are going to find out where this team stands real soon.  

[David Marsh]

On 9/30/2024 at 11:00 AM, 30Duck said:

Though Ohio State did handle Michigan State the same way Oregon did cellar dweller UCLA. Ohio State has coasted through their schedule so far, haven't faced a potential Playoff team like Boise State, Iowa should be something of a test this week.

And if Oregon can beat Michigan State by a similar margin or greater.. then we'll know we're in business. 

[DanLduck]

We have yet to play a full 60 minutes of "Oregon football". But we've finished Sept 4-0.

Each week seems to be different issues. So we are moving forward. 

 

If Tez's pass to Patrick had not been so overthrown, and if his slip in the endzone not helped the pick 6...that's 14 points and we're not talking about not being tough enough. 

 

We are one-third through the season, ranked 6th. A good place to be.

Now we continue to improve each week so that come late Nov we are at our best.

 

It's impossible to play your best every game for a whole season, especially when the team you're playing is so less talented. 

 

To me only Texas looks tough. UGA came out flat, and Bama disappeared 2nd half. tOSU hasn't played anyone as tough as BSU yet. No one has peaked yet.

 

I think we OBD fans are expecting too much too soon. This Friday night will be a great test. A short week with a night game will show if coaches can have the men ready. This game also has all the signs of a potential trap game, so how we play will show us a lot.

 

MSU lost to tOSU last week 38-7. That will be the standard. Our goal is to better that score.

And to keep improving each week.

[Drake]

With the poor play of the OL in the first two games, we are still 4 - 0 as projected. The offense has put together some nice drives over the last few games. What seems to be missing is the quick strike TD capability of the past. 
 

I think I expected a better pass offense. Seems to be a lot of possession type pass plays that gain 5 to 10 yards, instead of chunk yardage. There are receivers open downfield, DG seems to take a lot to the underneath routes. 
 

Overall, it could be worse, but also, it could have been better. I think MSU is a perfect game this week for the Ducks. Get to 5 -0 and take on one of the perceived teams that has a legit shot at the title. 
 

Go Ducks!!!

 

 

[QuackyQuack]

Tried to post a video of the environment in the stadium half way through the 4th quarter but wouldn't load properly so just took some screenshots. Look how empty this is. Does this make you want to run through a wall and give it your all or just get it over with and go home? 

 

 

Edited September 30 by QuackyQuack
Add photos

[OhioDuck]

After week two, I won't say disappointed, but concerned is the word. A not dominant performance vs Idaho and squeaker vs Boise was not what I was expecting. The Ducks have improved the last two games. Boise is proving to be a better quality opponent than it seemed at the time, but I'm still a bit puzzled by the Idaho performance.

 

Some have mentioned a lack of going very deep into the play book, I hope so because the offense has looked like it is being built on nickel and diming rather than attacking aggressively, going for chunk plays, keeping the D on their heals and taking advantage of that, what I've come to think of as Oregon offense. 

We won't beat OSU by nickel and diming. 

 

That said, there is still enough talent to contend for a NC. In two weeks we'll know more about if the team is ready. Being 6-0 in a couple of weeks will cure a lot of disappointment! 

[Lrod]

somebody in here said they believe Penn St is playing better football..lmaoooooooooo

 

 

have you watched Drew Allar play?  the dude is awful.. think he threw for 135 last game.  Yall would lose your minds if that was Dillon who you complain about now.  We have seen Penn st act for years now.  

 

listen, the days of needing to beat teams by 35 and 40 points to impress voters are over.  You just have to win now.  get better week to week and hope you have enough depth to maintain.  

 

 

[Jon Joseph]

Thanks, Jordan.

 

Bad pick by Gabe; 1 in 5 games. I think he deserves a pass here.

 

O disappears in 2nd half. I hope this is evidence of Stein keeping the playbook mostly closed (although the Tez pass that should have been a TD was interesting) through the first 5 games that on paper in preseason looked like a warm-up drill for tOSU visit on the 12th.

 

I have argued against playing mega preseason games but having even a Texas Tech on the schedule could have helped the preseason focus. Boise is damn good (Never Schedule Boise!) but Idaho? Top OL guys looked like turn styles. It's been a complacent turn-it-on, turn-it-off performance to date and as noted above, where are the stud 5* Frosh recruits that we see flashing for Ohio State and Bama among other teams? 

 

Oregon will need its "A Game" for 60 minutes on 10/12. Will the Ducks bring it? And the concerning unanswered questions: Were These Guys Overrated in the Preseason? What quality team in a big-time game has Lanning and crew defeated? 

 

SPLATTER SPARTY!

[OregonDucks]

On the bright side, Oregon played nearly flawless football in the second half against Oregon State and the first half against UCLA.  We were one pass away from going up 35-3 against UCLA, on the road, entering halftime.  Our defense was dominant, albeit against a bad football team, and our offense showed some of their big play ability. The offensive line has improved significantly since they found the starting group in the second half of the Boise State game. If Oregon can put it all together for a full 60 minutes, consistently, we will be a very dangerous football team.

 

Jonathan Smith said that Oregon has really improved from week 1 to week 4, particularly on defense.

[30Duck]

On 10/1/2024 at 6:09 AM, OregonDucks said:

 

Jonathan Smith said that Oregon has really improved from week 1 to week 4, particularly on defense.

He doesn't miss a thing, does he?

[NYDuck]

On 9/30/2024 at 8:40 AM, OregonDucks said:

It all comes down to expectations.

I think it's because all offseason, the talking heads were crowning us as the eventual national champions. When the hype is there, fans tend to buy in and naturally so. 

 

When the product doesn't immediately match what was being said all offseason, there will be frustrations. Especially, when those performances come consecutively.

 

I also think there's a lot of outside noise on X etc. and that the notion of "Oregon being the offseason champs" may have caused some anger, and our play initially did not back up what we believed to be a great team. We were eager to prove all these people wrong.

Winning, and winning some more, will fix this anger. 

[MicroBurst61]

Well now.  Expectations are not met with realities??!!  Color me Duck green and yellow!

 

Honestly fans tend to simplify ANY sporting event down to the lowest common denominators for what they want, through the eyes of expectations.  Actually Playing and winning the games is what the whole sporting world is about and if everything played out "as expected" then what would be the reason for even playing?!?

 

There have been Many games in college football this season that could bring disparity upon a program based on a game or two's performance.  Few games last year Alabama looked ... average and if not for a one score win against Georgia and a hail Mary pass against Auburn they never would have got a whiff of the playoffs.  This year Georgia had a rough game against Kentucky followed up by a uninspiring first half down at Alabama.  Not a fan of either but I'm sure some of their fans "railed" against their teams not performing to their "expectations"!

 

As for Oregon.  Remember Texas Tech game last year (with another previous Duck teammate with personal motivations on the otherside).  If not for a scoop and return for a TD OBD may have very well lost that game.  Or how about Washington State during Bo's first year as our QB.  ALMOST lost that one also and still remember fans bemoaning the hire of Lanning because of that performance and the blowout loss to Georgia in his FIRST GAME as a Head Coach.

 

Another significant point that I have mentioned before and I think still currently is a valid one.  Our Beloved Ducks are now a team that EVERYONE has circled on Their calendar.  As much as we have had games against teams like Ohio St., Georgia, and (used to be) USC.  Beating "The Ducks" becomes a real "feather in the cap" for any program that is able to accomplish such a feat.  Our Beloved Ducks are now a program with a target on their backs, and will get THE BEST from each opponent they play, week in and week out.  OBD are still "learning" how to be the hunted vs the hunter.  Emotionally and physically that can be quite draining.

 

Point is.  It is fair and worthy of discussion any and all "perceived" issues or problems we as fans believe to be part of our teams...limitations.  It's what makes this Ducks Forum so engaging.  But, I for one, will always tend to look at the "glass half full" rather than throw my hands up and write off the season, or any of my own hopes and expectations, simply because I have an unrealistic "fanboy" vision for what I am seeing on the field.

 

This is a Very Good Football team, coached by some very good coaches, which shows marked improvement each and every game I watch.  None of the games have been perfect nor complete (regardless of DL's comments regarding OBD's performance against UCLA), but I believe that they can "compete" with anyone in the country and over the next two months we all will get to see what the actual ceiling is for OBD version 2024.

 

I still see a 11-1, maybe a 10-2 regular season.  I would be disappointed with anything more than two losses and missing out on the B1G conference championship game, but hope springs eternal and as I have "hopes" for an entertaining and successful season I will continue to note the areas in need of improvement but will appreciate the high level of football being played by OBD.

 

Win or Lose, I think everyone else should do so also.  Makes the entire "fanboy" experience a lot more ... Enjoyable.  Let's Go Ducks, prove you mettle for season 2024.

 

's

[Charles Fischer]

On 10/1/2024 at 9:21 AM, MicroBurst61 said:

OBD are still "learning" how to be the hunted vs the hunter.

Fantastic point, and a very tough one for the team.  When you have this many portal transfers....the view becomes different.  The mental game is a big one.

 

[Jon Joseph]

On 10/1/2024 at 12:21 PM, MicroBurst61 said:

Well now.  Expectations are not met with realities??!!  Color me Duck green and yellow!

 

Honestly fans tend to simplify ANY sporting event down to the lowest common denominators for what they want, through the eyes of expectations.  Actually Playing and winning the games is what the whole sporting world is about and if everything played out "as expected" then what would be the reason for even playing?!?

 

There have been Many games in college football this season that could bring disparity upon a program based on a game or two's performance.  Few games last year Alabama looked ... average and if not for a one score win against Georgia and a hail Mary pass against Auburn they never would have got a whiff of the playoffs.  This year Georgia had a rough game against Kentucky followed up by a uninspiring first half down at Alabama.  Not a fan of either but I'm sure some of their fans "railed" against their teams not performing to their "expectations"!

 

As for Oregon.  Remember Texas Tech game last year (with another previous Duck teammate with personal motivations on the otherside).  If not for a scoop and return for a TD OBD may have very well lost that game.  Or how about Washington State during Bo's first year as our QB.  ALMOST lost that one also and still remember fans bemoaning the hire of Lanning because of that performance and the blowout loss to Georgia in his FIRST GAME as a Head Coach.

 

Another significant point that I have mentioned before and I think still currently is a valid one.  Our Beloved Ducks are now a team that EVERYONE has circled on Their calendar.  As much as we have had games against teams like Ohio St., Georgia, and (used to be) USC.  Beating "The Ducks" becomes a real "feather in the cap" for any program that is able to accomplish such a feat.  Our Beloved Ducks are now a program with a target on their backs, and will get THE BEST from each opponent they play, week in and week out.  OBD are still "learning" how to be the hunted vs the hunter.  Emotionally and physically that can be quite draining.

 

Point is.  It is fair and worthy of discussion any and all "perceived" issues or problems we as fans believe to be part of our teams...limitations.  It's what makes this Ducks Forum so engaging.  But, I for one, will always tend to look at the "glass half full" rather than throw my hands up and write off the season, or any of my own hopes and expectations, simply because I have an unrealistic "fanboy" vision for what I am seeing on the field.

 

This is a Very Good Football team, coached by some very good coaches, which shows marked improvement each and every game I watch.  None of the games have been perfect nor complete (regardless of DL's comments regarding OBD's performance against UCLA), but I believe that they can "compete" with anyone in the country and over the next two months we all will get to see what the actual ceiling is for OBD version 2024.

 

I still see a 11-1, maybe a 10-2 regular season.  I would be disappointed with anything more than two losses and missing out on the B1G conference championship game, but hope springs eternal and as I have "hopes" for an entertaining and successful season I will continue to note the areas in need of improvement but will appreciate the high level of football being played by OBD.

 

Win or Lose, I think everyone else should do so also.  Makes the entire "fanboy" experience a lot more ... Enjoyable.  Let's Go Ducks, prove you mettle for season 2024.

 

's

 

Thanks, Micro, terrific post.

 

One reason CFB is 'fly-specked' by fans is the LONG off-season followed by the short season. The Sports pages and a plethora of CFB sites make for a year-round CFB gossip column and many faulty predictions including FSU being the class of the ACC. 

 

This season will see the CFB champ play 16 or 17 games. IMO, with CFB Fanatics in the multi-millions, the controversy will continue well into the PO; especially, with a jury-rigged PO format affecting seeding and higher-ranked team(s) likely to be left out in favor of preferred-seeding lower-ranked teams. This week's AP Poll would have No. 16 Iowa State and No. 21 Boise in the PO with a top-four seed and No. 11 USC being left out. No. 12 Boise at No. 5 Texas would be a very interesting game. 

 

Being optimistic is All Good. But all the optimism in the world doesn't eliminate the OL leaking like a sieve vs. an FCS team. Boise is No. 21 for a reason. I believe many higher-ranked teams would fall to this Broncos squad. Not only did Jeanty again run wild on Saturday, but the Boise front 7 also blew up the Wazzu O-line. (Never, Ever Schedule Boise State!) 

 

I do agree with you that a W is a W. The only place I disagree and I'm not certain that I should is whether we want to see a 10-2 Ducks in a conference champ game with a chance of losing game three. We will not know the answer to this question before 12/8/24, if then. 

 

Again, terrific comment.

 

SLAM SPARTY!

 

[Duckman60]

Watching tOSU play against MSU, I wonder how much better they can get?  I watch the UO/UCLA game it was obvious how much better Oregon can get.  It is critical to be on an upward trajectory during the season, no matter how small. 
 

I believe that if Oregon peaks at the right time they will compete with anyone.  Remember Bo was not "Bo" his first year at Oregon, it takes a while to get comfortable.  I think Dillion is going to get there before the end of the season.

 

[OregonDucks]

On 10/1/2024 at 11:49 AM, Jon Joseph said:

But all the optimism in the world doesn't eliminate the OL leaking like a sieve vs. an FCS team. Boise is No. 21 for a reason. I believe many higher-ranked teams would fall to this Broncos squad. Not only did Jeanty again run wild on Saturday, but the Boise front 7 also blew up the Wazzu O-line. (Never, Ever Schedule Boise State!) 

 

To the coaches’ credit, they made changes to the OL during the second half of the BSU game and it has improved the OL play drastically. Of course, the real test will be against the top B1G teams.  

[30Duck]

Expectations are the test. Ohio State and its fans expect to be in the Top 4 every season, along with their recruiting classes. The last Pac-12 team to be in that category was USC coached by Pete Carroll. I feel like Oregon is closer to that status than USC, or Washington, are. 

 

Oregon has established a brand Washington will never touch. USC is location and tradition now. Riley coaches Heisman QB's, not championship teams. Washington? They blew their chance last season, it's still Don James, 30 years ago for them.

 

Miami? Mario isn't Schellenberger, definitely not Jimmy. 

 

Alabama, Georgia, LSU. For all the greatness bestowed on the SEC, those are the Hunted, and not LSU this season. 

[Nevada Dawg]

Actually, I like where the Ducks are at this moment. Four games is sufficient for the brain trust to have a better idea what they have on a squad with many newcomers and to more clearly identify with whom they want to go into battle for the tests that lie ahead. Keep improving a little each week and I can't really see the Ducks missing the playoffs, even if, heaven forbid, they drop their game in Autzen to the Bucks.

 

I am surprised hat I am not down more on my Dawgs after they stunk it up in the first half against Alabama. It was so bad that I thought the break between 1st and 2nd Qs was for the half so stunned was I. Despite the far to daunting road schedule the Dawgs still face, I remain confident they will make the playoffs. At this point, I'd be happy if they could maintain their #5  ranking and get to host a playoff game against the group of 5 representative.

Short of a bye, playing at this seeding is the best of the rest seeding slot.

 

Bottom line: good luck to both my teams. I am really confident the postseason is in the cards for both squads.

 

[OregonDucks]

On 10/1/2024 at 3:39 PM, Nevada Dawg said:

I am surprised hat I am not down more on my Dawgs after they stunk it up in the first half against Alabama.

 

I was shocked that a Kirby Smart coached team would come out so flat against a top team. Credit to Georgia for battling back to make it a game. 

[Jon Joseph]

On 10/1/2024 at 4:39 PM, Nevada Dawg said:

Actually, I like where the Ducks are at this moment. Four games is sufficient for the brain trust to have a better idea what they have on a squad with many newcomers and to more clearly identify with whom they want to go into battle for the tests that lie ahead. Keep improving a little each week and I can't really see the Ducks missing the playoffs, even if, heaven forbid, they drop their game in Autzen to the Bucks.

 

I am surprised hat I am not down more on my Dawgs after they stunk it up in the first half against Alabama. It was so bad that I thought the break between 1st and 2nd Qs was for the half so stunned was I. Despite the far to daunting road schedule the Dawgs still face, I remain confident they will make the playoffs. At this point, I'd be happy if they could maintain their #5  ranking and get to host a playoff game against the group of 5 representative.

Short of a bye, playing at this seeding is the best of the rest seeding slot.

 

Bottom line: good luck to both my teams. I am really confident the postseason is in the cards for both squads.

 

 

We had no power here in South Carolina on Saturday along with 4.5M South Carolinians, so I watched the game last night on an ESPNU replay. 

 

One of the best coaching efforts I have witnessed in CFB. Kirby and his assistants never panicked and never let the team panic. The adjustments they made to contain Milroe in the 2nd half were fantastic. Beck had issues, no doubt. but he still threw for 439 yards and 3 TDs in what, except for the heroics of a 17-year-old Superman WR would have been an amazing comeback and terrible look for DeBoer.

 

I have no idea why the SEC handled UGA a conference schedule, after an OOC game vs Clemson that I believe will win the ACC,  with road games at Bama, Texas, and Ole Miss (which may not be so daunting) but the SOS and Georgia's bona fides will have a 10-2 or even a 9-3, that I don't see coming, UGA in the PO with or without playing in the SEC champ game.  Go against Bama in the SEC champ game and I'm still down on UGA -2.5. That could well have been a Pyrrhic victory for DeBeor who did have a terrific 1st half game plan. (And an all-time 2nd half-front door comeback cover.)

 

I understand Georgia fans disappointment but UGA fans have so much to look forward to and take pride from the coaching staff down on never giving up.  

 

GO DUCKS! GO DAWGS!

[30Duck]

On 10/2/2024 at 8:07 AM, Jon Joseph said:

I understand Georgia fans disappointment but UGA fans have so much to look forward to and take pride from the coaching staff down on never giving up.  

 

So does Joel Klatt:

 

 

Joel Klatt feels better about Georgia than Alabama despite Bulldogs loss in Tuscaloosa in Week 5 - On3

WWW.ON3.COM

---

While Alabama was the winning team versus them this weekend, Klatt actually thinks that Georgia is possibly coming out as the...

 

[criticalduck]

I personally like that OBD are under the radar. Every team thinks they have a chance to win...

 

Even the C/D team that showed up for week 1, 2, and 5 still beat those teams A efforts. Week 3 the B- team showed up to beat the Beavis but not before allowing them to think they had a chance--thanks to the stellar referees!

 

In Lanning I trust. Please everyone, look past The Ducks because your next game will be much harder than The Ducks...

 

I also think we "fans" are drinking too much of the "hype" Kool-aid like all the people did with Colorado last season.

 

GO DUCKS!

Edited October 2 by criticalduck

[30Duck]

On 10/2/2024 at 10:09 AM, criticalduck said:

 

I also think we "fans" are drinking too much of the "hype" Kool-aid like all the people did with Colorado last season.

The hype about Oregon pre-season could have been hyperbolic, but it was based on the team. Colorado was all about Prime. 

[criticalduck]

On 10/2/2024 at 10:39 AM, 30Duck said:

it was based on the team. Colorado was all about Prime. 

Based on the team "on paper" but that's why the games are played.

 

I agree "coach" Prime was hype for Colorado but they had some athletes "on paper" that should have competed with every team...unfortunately for the Buffs their coach is "good" at best and mediocre as a norm.

 

Lanning is just better at coaching, recruiting, and motivating than "coach" Prime or most college coaches. If Lanning had the athletes that flocked to "coach" Prime I think he would have done more with them.

 

Keep OBD under the radar and keep winning (ugly or not). We'll see who crosses the finish line! Go Ducks.

[30Duck]

On 10/2/2024 at 1:59 PM, criticalduck said:

Lanning is just better at coaching, recruiting, and motivating than "coach" Prime or most college coaches. If Lanning had the athletes that flocked to "coach" Prime I think he would have done more with them.

 

Keep OBD under the radar and keep winning (ugly or not). We'll see who crosses the finish line! Go Ducks.

Agree completely with the first part. As to the second. I hope that soon OBD gets above the radar and is a bleep as big as Ohio State is.

[Pocketchange]

I think that a lot of doom and gloom about OBD is overblown. Our defense is playing lights out.  However, our offense often looks like it struggles to go down the field.  It’s as if we have great players and a scheme that works against them. Secondly, this is the second year in a row the ducks were not prepared to play from day one. 

[spartan2785]

I honestly don't know how I feel about the Ducks right now, I see a team that probably has the best set of WRs that we have ever had, a NFL TE, a great QB, but I also see a O-line that isn't mauling teams, and RBs that are able to grind yards but nobody that is truly dynamic.  The defense has potential to be great, but the d-line is inconsistent, the LBs are good but nobody that has 1st day draft talent, the secondary though is truly a top ten group in the nation, probably our best secondary in a while.

 

All of this just leads to me wondering how we're going to do against the true talent on our schedule.  Our defense didn't do as well against Jeanty as I would hope a national contender would do, it makes me a bit scared about how we will do against a duo like Judkins and Henderson.  I'm worried that we could become very one dimensional against the best defenses on our schedule due to the O-line struggling to really produce huge holes.

 

I'm not mad or even disappointed, just a little concerned and curious about how good this Oregon team can be.  I'm also curious to see how Lanning will do against tOSU and Michigan, has he learned from the past, or will he continue to make the same mistakes as the past two years.  

[Nevada Dawg]

 

For those who think the Ducks are winning ugly, I have a truism that I have seen play out many times. Winning ugly can be beautiful if you can just find the way to keep doing it. It may drive the fan base crazy, but in the words of the shallow philosopher Al Davis, the important thing is JUST WIN BABY!!

[Jon Joseph]

 

Coach Prime's team is tied for 1st place in the B12 after an upset win by a lot at UCF. Along with BYU and Texas Tech. Who knew?