dksez No. 1 Share Posted December 31, 2024 I think our quarterfinal rematch won’t be close, but I don’t know which team will win. The deciding factors will be ones that cannot be easily measured. The players seem evenly matched, so it comes down to coaching. How has Dan Lanning used these 25 days to his team’s advantage? He’s had time to tap the full breadth and depth of his carefully cultivated braintrust — what has he learned? (About his opponent, but also about his own team.) Have his analysts (and AI) found weaknesses that tOSU doesn’t even know it has? Has Will Stein devised some plays that have now been practiced 1000 times, but no one else has ever seen? Have the coaches (and Nike) found ways to replicate game speed in practice? Has Phil Knight discovered new ways to motivate young men? Will our team come out rested or rusted? As Lanning has preached from the beginning, this is all about us. It could even end up being all about him. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Fischer Administrator No. 2 Share Posted December 31, 2024 On 12/31/2024 at 10:41 AM, dksez said: Has Will Stein devised some plays that have now been practiced 1000 times, but no one else has ever seen? Mr. FishDuck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Marsh No. 3 Share Posted December 31, 2024 I can guarantee one or two plays that will be completely bonkers out of Lanning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalBear95 No. 4 Share Posted December 31, 2024 I think the Ducks lose because they have a massive disadvantage which is having to shake off the rust after 4 weeks off. OSU has played once and won’t suffer from that need. In a game where possessions will be at a premium it could take 2-3 for the Ducks to find their season form. This is what I hate about the current structure of the playoffs. Not only is the seeding structure massively unfair, it punishes the higher seeds by making them have to wait 4 weeks. It might have been better for the Ducks to lose to PSU. They would have played a game with effectively two byes. You still rest without losing your rhythm. Hope I’m wrong but the Ducks have been handed every possible anchor the playoffs could toss them. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 5 Share Posted December 31, 2024 On 12/31/2024 at 10:41 AM, dksez said: I think our quarterfinal rematch won’t be close, but I don’t know which team will win. The deciding factors will be ones that cannot be easily measured. The players seem evenly matched, so it comes down to coaching Right off, this says Oregon to me. Lanning hit the wall against UW last season. Since then, undefeated. Day's big game this year, after losing to Michigan, again. was whacking an overrated Tennessee. Day's great when his players' talent advantage is overwhelming. That isn't the case here. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastSCOast No. 6 Share Posted December 31, 2024 I guarantee Stein will be good for one or two completely off-the-wall plays, per usual. Will they be productive is the massive question, as they always seem to be hit or miss. Hoping there's minimal rust for OBD to knock off, and the extra practice time and fresh legs pays dividends early and often! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 7 Share Posted December 31, 2024 On 12/31/2024 at 12:51 PM, CalBear95 said: I think the Ducks lose because they have a massive disadvantage which is having to shake off the rust after 4 weeks off. If any coach, staff, team is ready to shake off that massive disadvantage, I have to believe it's Lanning and these Ducks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleScoutJim No. 8 Share Posted December 31, 2024 I think what tOSU will suffer from is overconfidence. They have forgotten that they did in fact lose the last game with Oregon - it wasn’t magically gifted to the Ducks. Moreover, all they have heard from the press in the last week is that they are the anointed ones. Sure, they say the Ducks are good, but that we got lucky last game. The truth is, no one ‘knows’ what the outcome will be. Both fan bases want this win. I know how hard our guys have worked to get us here. Win or lose, I believe both the players and coaches will do us proud. As someone who watched The Toilet Bowl, I want to say “thank you” for all the blood, sweat, and tears throughout the years. GO DUCKS 1 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDuck Moderator No. 9 Share Posted December 31, 2024 On 12/31/2024 at 3:51 PM, CalBear95 said: I think the Ducks lose because they have a massive disadvantage which is having to shake off the rust after 4 weeks off. OSU has played once and won’t suffer from that need. In a game where possessions will be at a premium it could take 2-3 for the Ducks to find their season form. Ohio St. was off for 3 weeks before they played Tennessee. Didn't seem to bother them being off that long. I don't think Oregon will be hurt by it. They are now very healthy and time preparation for Ohio St. was to their advantage. Go Ducks, Fly High! 1 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Rocks No. 10 Share Posted December 31, 2024 I worry about the rust too. The ducks play best when they go out and score immediately, They don't want to get behind Ohio State. I agree about being number one. What advantage did Oregon gain? They didn't get to play at home, they have had to wait an eternity for this game and they get to play in a championship quality game in their first time out of the chute. It would have been better to lose. Would a top seeded SEC team have to chart a similar course? I wonder. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dksez Author No. 11 Share Posted January 2 Called it. (Not in the direction I hoped, and not that I'm happy about it....) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Fischer Administrator No. 12 Share Posted January 2 On 1/1/2025 at 6:37 PM, dksez said: Called it. (Not in the direction I hoped, and not that I'm happy about it....) Gotta love these fans. Almost never post unless... 1 Mr. FishDuck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Duck No. 13 Share Posted January 2 On 1/1/2025 at 7:37 PM, dksez said: Called it. (Not in the direction I hoped, and not that I'm happy about it....) "but I don’t know which team will win." Way to take a strong stand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 14 Share Posted January 2 On 1/1/2025 at 6:37 PM, dksez said: Called it. (Not in the direction I hoped, and not that I'm happy about it....) Gonna be heads or tails. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUCKED No. 15 Share Posted January 2 Well, his prediction was that the outcome would be lopsided, no matter who won. Turns out he was right. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PittDuck No. 16 Share Posted January 2 On a lighter note, the SUC (State Universities Conference) schools, (formerly known as PAC12) are doing gangbusters in this year's post season! All the State Schools that made it to the post season got pasted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
