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Is Oregon’s National Perception About to POP?

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I had no sweat coming into this week with Oregon’s game versus Ohio State. This was not a make-or-break situation like it was under a four-team playoff, as we could make the CFB Playoff with a loss, so this game was a classic good-or-good kind of result. But I had to interrupt my fun at...

 
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I had no sweat coming into this week with Oregon’s game versus Ohio State. This was not a make-or-break situation like it was under a four-team playoff…
 
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Right on the money Charles......

 

The Ducks are playing on the biggest stage this Saturday. College royalty, Game Day says its the biggest stage. (Corso's last chance to don the Duck upon his head)

 

A true chance for OBD's to change the national perception. In my travels the last 2 weeks, I could not find even 1 person who picked the Ducks.....

 

Why I asked?

 

Because Oregon has not proved they can win on the biggest stage consistently. Natty losses in 2010 and 2014 and a back of the woodshed spanking against Georgia. Three straight losses to the huskies.

 

Fans watch big games and that perception lasts a long time. You have to win to change the perception and narrative.

 

This version of tOSU Buckeyes is a bonafide contender for to win the Natty this season.

 

The Ducks must play 4 mistake free quarters at the highest level to win this game. They must be strong in the trenches.

 

Millions will be watching on Saturday. I have confidence that OBD's will show and play well.

 

Will they win? Don't know. ..

 

Go Ducks.......

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The one Outlier among the national narrative? Rick Neuheisel. Of course, he actually has experienced Autzen and could point out Oregon on a map. The rest are completely unaware of where Oregon is, geographically or as a football team. No way is Nick Saban picking the Ducks tomorrow.

 

Finesse is a dirty word in football. Even when those Oregon teams were consistently in the top 5 in rushing, the ground game, the label stuck. Since almost every team now is using tempo, putting players in space, finesse has faded away. But this is a game the Ducks need to win to be recognized as legit.

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I tend to believe two things will be going on Saturday as far as perceptions go. Number one is Lanning has a chance to better define who he is as a coach, and what that means at Oregon. I also think the outlook on Oregon may not change, but a shift to realizing we aren't one dimensional, although we need to show that offensive dimension to keep that reputation.

 

Lanning, so far, has lost some important games. I won't go into those games because we are all aware of them, but big games at home have to be won. A coach can lose big games on the road, but when you have a big game at home that defines you as a coach. Lanning needs show he has grown since that first season where he let himself and everyone else down with a big loss at home.

 

The perception of who Lanning is as a coach, nationally, is on the line. How wily is Lanning in the big game. I think Lanning is looked upon as just a young and upcoming coach, but this game can get the rest of the nation to take notice. Dan Lanning has arrived, and is ready to win a Natty!

 

As far as defense this is where Lanning's statement about creating chaos needs to come alive on Saturday. We may not dominate every down, but in the end we should win the turnover ratio, break up passes, and make their qb nervous. In the end the nation should say, wow, that is a defense that can compete against anyone, anywhere, anytime. That is the shift I want to see in the perception about Oregon.

 

I do think another thing is Oregon needs to also show we still have an offense that can score and score lots of points, at least more than the nuts. If Oregon gets shut down that can potentially hurt our program more than just showing a decent defense. Oregon is defined as having an elite offense. We are playing against our old coach CK who helped define that. Lanning and Stein need to show we are still a lights out offensive scoring machine.

 

Great article and perceptions about this young coach and his team will definitely come under the bright lights. It will be exciting to see just what that becomes, most importantly, for all of the loyal Duck Fans. Go Ducks!

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You are correct, Charles, Oregon has a huge opportunity to change the national perception of Oregon this season and it starts this Saturday.  

 

I believe that the "soft" perception is lazy and is applied to all West Coast programs. USC was labeled soft when they had NFL talent across the offense and defensive lines under Pete Carroll with Bush and White in the backfield.  You'd think that of all of the programs in the B1G, the Buckeyes and their fans would have learned that Oregon is not "soft" after we went into the Shoe and rushed for 269 yards (7.1 YPC), while limiting Ohio State to 128 yards (4.1 YPC), getting the win.

 

If you watch the Oregon marketing videos and game recaps, you see that Coach Lanning constantly preaches physicality (heck, there was an entire episode dedicated to it). I'm sure that he is using the press clippings this week to motivate his team to show the nation the brand of football they want to play. He knows that to beat the best teams in the nation, you have to play physical football and win at the line of scrimmage.  

 

Oregon can win the game but they'll have to bring their A game for 4 quarters (which they haven't shown they can do, yet) -- play clean football, limit turnovers and penalties, and hold their own on the line of scrimmage. This game will not make or break the season but is a good measuring stick for the Oregon Ducks.

 

P.S. - I LOVE that Oregon is the underdog at home and we aren't getting respect nationally. Players have said that this week's practices have been more intense than normal and they are focusing on the small details. The coaches will have our team ready to go and I believe that Oregon will come out and play its best football of the season on Saturday.

Edited by OregonDucks
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So I wasn’t nervous before Charles article, but now it is hitting me.
 

I live on the east coast and am always preaching about my Ducks, but they often get shot out of the sky on the biggest stage and return to earth. 
 

One noted exception was when I got to attend the Oregon vs FSU game at the Rose Bowl. Problem was, that joy and national perception only lasted one week as tOSU blasted us the next week. 
 

My pessimistic hope is that we at least keep it close and not be embarrassed. Either way, I will continue to support my Ducks. 
 

But deep down, like Charlie Browns dream, I would love to finally kick that ball right out of Lucy’s hand!

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On 10/11/2024 at 6:51 AM, Haywarduck said:

As far as defense this is where Lanning's statement about creating chaos needs to come alive on Saturday.

I could not go into it further since the article was long enough, but we have not shown hardly any of the exotic blitz packages and  "Simulated Pressures" that we've noted in the past.  The right side of the Buckeye offensive line is weaker than the left, thus I predict we will see blitz overloads on that side.

 

We will also see more safety and corner blitzes from the short side of the field too.  An unfolding on defense, as well as offense!

 

Sacks in Progress, Harmon_Screenshot from Fox Sports Video.jpg

 

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Mr. FishDuck

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Ahhh Gotta Love It!  Perceptions.  As with most anything this day and age are mostly controlled by the "narrative".  Just take the last two months surrounding Oregon Football.

 

Training camp Oregon was "perceived" as a plug and play team with recruits and transfers. Both fans and talking heads believed it would just be a continuation, at ALL levels, from where we left off last year.  Several "experts" had us in the National Championship game (meeting tOSU for a third time) BEFORE a single game of the 2024 season had even been played.

 

First few weeks of the season Oregon football's perverbial sky was falling!  Sputtering run game, more sacks on our QB than ALL of last year,  opponent "chunk" run plays through screens and second level escapes.  Team was supposedly in disarray and dropped in the polls while still getting the wins.

 

Few weeks later Oregon is now back to #3 in the polls with the opportunity AND ability to continue on the "upward" swing in the current narrative, thus perception, of who and what "That Team Out West" is (really?) all about.  

 

So if Oregon plays to their abilities.  Limits and minimizes mistakes.  EXECUTES on the four or five critical plays that will most likely determine the outcome of this particular game.  Then yes!  The perception, and perhaps a growing mystic, about "That Team Out West" that plays in a "quaint" 60,000 capacity stadium, with all them "pretty" uniforms will Finally move that perception to Respect!

 

Something that this program has been building towards for a quarter of a century!

 

NFL-Lite...meet your new "Duck Daddy's"!

 

🦆🏈🪨's

 

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Another great topic Charles. Loving this build up to the game. Here's my two cents.

 

I love being the underdog. It always elevates the stakes of the game for me and really brings back my core passion of being a Duck fan.

 

Lanning's perception is on the line. Lanning vs Deboer and Smart: 0-4. Everybody else: 27-1. 

 

It's a BIG Battle. If tOSU wins order has been restored to the conference and the pecking order remains intact. Ducks win and they own the conference and after just three games!

 

The hornet's nest has been kicked. Buckeye fans have challenged Autzen to get loud. They will deliver!

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Great article, Charles. As for going further, please Pile On!

 

Full of Klatt? 'Did you see what Jeanty did to the Oregon D?' Yes, Joel, I saw. I saw 3 long runs and a whole bunch of nothing while Oregon was getting IT sorted out on D without a full corps of healthy LBs. Joel, The Boise State University coming into Week 7 is AP Poll ranked No. 17. The Ohio State University's best win is versus Iowa, No. 33 in Others Receiving Votes. 

 

It's wonderful that Experts (?) like Joel take a deeper look into the stats before popping off, right? I believe many of these guys had Mizzou in the Top 10 before Week 6, right? Ohio State is not Mizzou. I am not attempting to imply such but the Buckeyes have yet to face a quality 'dual threat' opponent in the ZOO it will be playing in on Saturday. 

 

Spot ON, Charles. This is an all-time opportunity to convince the nation to shine its light on OBD. Michigan's loss at UW last week will be a party favor going off on the 4th of July compared to the cascade of noise an OBD win will bring to the Right Coast late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning.

 

Danno, here is the opportunity to Show the World you have the coaching chops to win one of the B1Ggest Games. Oregon lost the LOS in the BCS champ game and in the first 4-team Playoff Champ Game vs. these Buckeyes. This is the chance to prove that Oregon is not just The Little Engine That Could but a Grown-Up Steam Roller on both sides of the ball. Win both LOS and as an Oregon coach once said, 'Win The Day!  In this case, Over Day and said Coach. 

 

CRUSH THE NUTS! 

 

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and It Never Rains in Autzen Stadium!

 

 

 

 

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Charles, you are working overtime this week and definitely bringing the goods. I will make my prediction soon but I have been scanning "ElevenWarriors" which is a pretty good Ohio State football blog. The attitude in general is that Oregon has a pretty good team but the Ohio State University will prevail with a quiet confidence. FWIW

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Just like there's no crying in baseball, there's no finesse in football.

 

The "finesse" thing is a stupid narrative that will either be changed or reinforced tomorrow, depending on the result.

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Great insight, as usual Mr. FishDuck!  Almost has me wanting to change my prediction to a shutout for OBD!

 

Seriously, I believe we will be treated to some new offensive plays we have not seen yet, and some sequential plays that will put tosu on their heels.

 

Like you, I think Tosh will dial up some blitz packages that will cause plenty of havoc and chaos for Howard and the tosu offense.

 

If OBD plays to The Standard, we will change the narrative.  My desire is to see the Ducks dominate the LOS on both sides of the ball.  It won’t be easy, but we have the talent to do so.

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Back when Urban Meyer first went to Ohio State, that Ohio State website, Eleven Warriors, was recommending that people come to FishDuck.com, to watch my videos and learn about the Zone-Read Spread Offense!

 

I created two analysis articles after the ‘Natty appearance in 2014, that they linked and discussed extensively over there, and gave me begrudging credit.

 

So yes, that is a good website, as they and FishDuck go back a decade!
 

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Mr. FishDuck

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Funny how Ohio State fans seem to forget the 2021 game. 

 

That was not an exceptional Oregon team but still won. 

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Perception presumes a lack of knowledge, and a lack of knowledge breeds belief, and people choose to believe what they want to believe.

 

So no, I don't think winning will improve people's perception of the Ducks, it will just prove to those people that Ohio State was overrated and Day sucks and should probably be fired.

 

I just read a headline that basically said that.

 

Winning a few playoff games and especially a Natty will be what actually changes perceptions of Oregon by force.

 

But I'm okay with that. I don't need confirmation from people that don't know what they are talking about.

 

And our Oregon team touts FEBU, so I don't think they care much either.

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So last night I watched the 60 min version of the 2021 game and Oregon's great win.

It gave me more confidence. 

 

Both teams are better this year, but, our defense is superb. And in '21, Thibodaux didn't play.

Cristobal was our coach.

Anthony Brown was the qb!

 

We are so much better at every level this year.

 

A Duck win will change perspective nation wide and be very good for the program. VERY good.

A loss will continue the narrative of close, but no cigar.

 

You are so right Charles. Great article.

 

I do believe we are ready as a team for this moment.  Lanning and staff have the boys primed and ready. The steady growth from week 1 has built up to peak for this moment. 

This really will be a superb game.

 

And the best part, after we win solidly, and become ranked #1, there will still be 6 more regular season games!

What a time to be a Duck!!

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Give Me Some Of That Old-Time Tradition! Will Howard Win On The Road?

 

 

SATURDAYTRADITION.COM

Will Howard has a chance to make a statement at Oregon.

 

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On 10/11/2024 at 11:51 AM, DanLduck said:

So last night I watched the 60 min version of the 2021 game and Oregon's great win.

It gave me more confidence. 

 

Both teams are better this year, but, our defense is superb. And in '21, Thibodaux didn't play.

Cristobal was our coach.

Anthony Brown was the qb!

 

We are so much better at every level this year.

One thing that strikes me is how much the tOSU offensive weapons have been touted by the pundits as to why they beat the Ducks.

 

I know this is last year and not quite apples to apples, but Oregon faced UW in their place and almost pulled off the upset. Can anyone say that the tOSU offense is better than that offense? Is Howard a better QB than Penix and are Egbuka and Smith better than Odunze, McMillan and Polk? Behind what was voted the best O-line in all of CFB? 

 

The Ducks have improved the defense at the LOS and in the secondary and the LB play is solid. While the WRs may get theirs, I cannot see them exploiting the Oregon DBs like Odunze did with Penix delivering dimes.

 

Yes, the Buckeye run game is better than what the Fuskies had, but Oregon's run defense is that much better as well. And it's in our house.

 

Gonna be a helluva contest.

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People talk about how this could be the first of three meetings. 

 

It could also be a one-and-done with Indy and Penn St also undefeated, their remain schedules plus the tie breakers.

 

(I'll let JJ delve into this later as my mush brain can't handle the "what ifs" associated with all the possibilities.)

 

So, there definitely is more pressure on us from a national perspective.

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On 10/11/2024 at 2:40 PM, EastBayDuckDad said:

I know this is last year and not quite apples to apples, but Oregon faced UW in their place and almost pulled off the upset. Can anyone say that the tOSU offense is better than that offense? Is Howard a better QB than Penix and are Egbuka and Smith better than Odunze, McMillan and Polk? Behind what was voted the best O-line in all of CFB? 

 

Good point!

 

No, Ohio State's 2024 offense is not better than UW's 2023 offense (but their defense is better). Oregon played some ridiculous QBs last season, including the #1 overall NFL pick and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. Will Howard is a good QB but I don't believe that he is an elite QB and I certainly wouldn't take him over DG.  Our defense has seen some really good offenses and it will come down to execution.  

 

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DG may not be putting up the numbers like Will Howard to start the season, but his experience and ability to win big games is an X factor as well.  One can't overlook the Oklahoma win over Texas last year (lead by Quinn Ewers), he out performed and put the team on his back on that final 75yd scoring drive.  He also ran for 113yds in the game, that's 42 yds more than he has all season while at Oregon, I expect that to be a huge new variable today that has most definitely been held back to date by Will Stein.

 

 

 

WWW.ESPN.COM

Dillon Gabriel threw a 3-yard TD pass to Nic Anderson with 15 seconds left and No. 12 Oklahoma won a battle of unbeatens, 34-30, over No. 3 Texas on Saturday.

 

 

Also, a shout out to this community and Fishduck.  This was a post on the Ohio State 247 board, I always love to see mutual respect between fan bases.

Screenshot 2024-10-10 at 1.53.22 PM.png

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