The Biggest Rose Bowl Shock: It's OVER

[Charles Fischer]

What? The season is over? We've been waiting for this part of the season for four months, and there is no more?

 

I was caught off-guard, as I really thought this-was-our-year. I am numbed, bumping into walls, (yes, I'm sober now) and just adrift.

 

I never thought the season would end so soon. Talk about the hole in your Duck Heart of what-might-have-been!

 

 

[jrw]

Yeah, it’s full speed ahead, then over the cliff. Kinda like Wiley Coyote when he looks down. 

[Jon Joseph]

I'm also feelin' the pain. Brutal end to a terrific season. Was that OBD in Pasadena or a group of imposters? Painful as heck but as I expressed to the spouse this morning, for me at least is easier to get over a no-show than what ASU fans are experiencing today. 

 

Without Ewers in OT, Sark would have been skewered. Next case, tOSU -4.5 vs. Texas in Dallas. 

 

Come On Buckeyes! (GULP!)

 

Beat the BOB Out of The Bobcats! (1/6/25 - 4 PM, ESPN, Montana State Bobcats, coming to Eugene on 8/30/25, vs the North Dakota State Bison for the FCS title and with the opportunity to finish undefeated (SIGH.)

[The Kamikaze Kid]

Losing epic battles with top level competition like UW last year happen and no real shame in that. I honestly thought the days of not looking like we even belonged on the field were behind us. To me, that is the most disappointing thing about yesterday. That game was over by the halfway point of the first quarter. So far Lanning has been a  one step back, several steps forward type of guy so I'm not too concerned moving forward. This is the first time since game one that he looked behind the curve and not ready for the moment.

 

Ironically, I think one of the main problems was that this team was just too far ahead of schedule this year. They so easily stormed through the BIG in year one they stopped looking like an up and coming team and appeared to be a team that had already arrived. This was probably a legit 4-5 seed team that could have made the final four if properly seeded and this year could have ended feeling more successful.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing the young 4-5 star guys move up to starting positions next year. I hope we start weening ourselves off of the portal for the majority of the starters. I think the O line may need some portal help but other than that, I'd like to see the young guys given a shot. I wouldn't even mind a step back 9-3 type year if it meant developing the future core group.

[Jon Joseph]

No Surprise. A Class Act from Tez.

 

 

Oregon Ducks WR Tez Johnson shows true class with post-game gesture after Rose Bowl loss

WWW.YARDBARKER.COM

---

It was the ultimate showing of sportsmanship by Tez Johnson after Oregon's tough loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day.  Johnson remained

 

[30Duck]

On 1/2/2025 at 10:00 AM, jrw said:

Yeah, it’s full speed ahead, then over the cliff. Kinda like Wiley Coyote when he looks down. 

[Steven A]

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly . . .

 

The Good = It was a mercy killing, by the end of the 1st quarter there was no hope for a comeback, and we avoided a roller coaster loss.

 

The Bad and Ugly, see above.

 

Reminded me of a Tyson fight in his prime, over early and our plan was gone after the first hit/third play to the mouth.

 

[JabbaNoBargain]

Definitely that bit of the next day depression of it’s all over. I mean, to go 13-0 and get bush whacked by a team from our own conference is just sudden.

 

That being said, I was never really truly of the belief this was the year to win it all. I thought we’d go 11-2 and win a playoff game or two. So despite the playoff flop, we actually exceeded my true expectations.

 

Need to beef up that o-line and have a couple more high end players in the secondary IMO…and a true NFL caliber, power HB thrown into the mix please.

[OregonDucks]

On 1/2/2025 at 1:28 PM, The Kamikaze Kid said:

This is the first time since game one that he looked behind the curve and not ready for the moment.

Good post. My only contention is that Oregon came out flat / unprepared in the PAC-12 Championship Game last year.  That is what this game reminded me of and it also ended our playoff aspirations.  
 

Coach Lanning doesn’t lose often but when he does, half the time it’s a blowout…go big or go home?!

Edited Thursday at 07:37 PM by OregonDucks

[Steven A]

Well, to paraphrase Rick Blaine (Casablanca) "We'll always have Paris" /2024 = only undefeated FBS school.

 

 

[Desert Duck]

The 2010-11 loss to Auburn, and the the 2014-15 to OSU, are the ones that gutted me. 

 

But of the two, the Auburn game was the worst. I felt kinda sick for about 4 days. And that game only made it worse because I was there.

 

After those losses, I put this stuff a bit more in perspective. So while this loss yesterday sucks profusely, I'm thankful that it doesn't impact me anywhere near like it once did. 

Edited Thursday at 08:11 PM by Desert Duck

[Desert Duck]

On 1/2/2025 at 11:21 AM, Jon Joseph said:

I'm also feelin' the pain. Brutal end to a terrific season. Was that OBD in Pasadena or a group of imposters? Painful as heck but as I expressed to the spouse this morning, for me at least is easier to get over a no-show than what ASU fans are experiencing today. 

 

Without Ewers in OT, Sark would have been skewered. Next case, tOSU -4.5 vs. Texas in Dallas. 

 

Come On Buckeyes! (GULP!)

 

Beat the BOB Out of The Bobcats! (1/6/25 - 4 PM, ESPN, Montana State Bobcats, coming to Eugene on 8/30/25, vs the North Dakota State Bison for the FCS title and with the opportunity to finish undefeated (SIGH.)

After watching Texas play yesterday, I can't believe the line is only OSU -4.5. 

 

I almost always believe the betting line is going to be pretty close, because it is. But I feel like those guys were watching a different Texas game yesterday than I did.

 

ASU made more mistakes in that game than you can shake a stick at, and yet they nearly won.

 

I say OSU -17... and it could get a lot more ugly than that.

[DrJacksPlaidPants]

On 1/2/2025 at 2:30 PM, OregonDucks said:

Good post. My only contention is that Oregon came out flat / unprepared in the PAC-12 Championship Game last year.  That is what this game reminded me of and it also ended our playoff aspirations.  
 

Coach Lanning doesn’t lose often but when he does, half the time it’s a blowout…go big or go home?!

He has only been blown out two of his six losses. That’s not half of his losses. It actually comes out to 33.33 (repeating, of course) percent.

[cartm25]

On 1/2/2025 at 11:28 AM, The Kamikaze Kid said:

I honestly thought the days of not looking like we even belonged on the field were behind us. To me, that is the most disappointing thing about yesterday.

Perfect post (especially the part I quoted above)!!

 

I was mentally prepared for a close game (win or lose), but the absolute beatdown was shocking.

 

Also couldn't agree more with your comment about reducing the reliance on the portal.

 

I believe the portal is an effective tool for helping teams go from bad to good relatively quickly, but I think to be elite, the vast majority of your team needs to be players that have grown up in the system and are allowed enough time and development to master it.

 

Continuity should be 80%+ of the makeup of an elite team.

[Steven A]

On 1/2/2025 at 12:40 PM, cartm25 said:

Continuity should be 80%+ of the makeup of an elite team.

Absolutely.

[Desert Duck]

On 1/2/2025 at 1:18 PM, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

He has only been blown out two of his six losses. That’s not half of his losses. It actually comes out to 33.33 (repeating, of course) percent.

I like the part where after 3 seasons, he only has 6 losses... 35-6. He's winning at an 85% rate.

 

That's almost as good as Chip Kelly's 86.8%.

[Steven A]

Instead of crying, let's smile . . .

 

What time today does our team arrive for the Rose Bowl?

 

How many milk cartons do we need for our team?

 

And as always, at least we're not ewe dub.

 

 

[OregonDucks]

On 1/2/2025 at 3:18 PM, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

He has only been blown out two of his six losses. That’s not half of his losses. It actually comes out to 33.33 (repeating, of course) percent.

Actually, it’s 3 out of 6:
 

• Georgia “neutral site” game 

• Washington in Pac-12 Championship Game

• Ohio State in Rose Bowl

 

I certainly don’t hold the Georgia loss against him given it was his first game as the Oregon coach and he was going up against one of the great teams of the modern college football era.  
 

The other two games his teams were not prepared. Last year’s conference championship game was not as close as the score indicated. UW jumped all over Oregon (like Alabama did to Georgia this year) and the game was really over in the first half.  

Edited Thursday at 09:21 PM by OregonDucks

[Desert Duck]

On 1/2/2025 at 2:19 PM, OregonDucks said:

Actually, it’s 3 out of 6:
 

• Georgia “neutral site” game 

• Washington in Pac-12 Championship Game

• Ohio State in Rose Bowl

 

I certainly don’t hold the Georgia loss against him given it was his first game as the Oregon coach and he was going up against one of the great teams of the modern college football era.  

We lost to Washington 34-31. 

 

Not sure many would call that a blow out.

[The Kamikaze Kid]

On 1/2/2025 at 1:15 PM, Desert Duck said:

I like the part where after 3 seasons, he only has 6 losses... 35-6. He's winning at an 85% rate.

 

That's almost as good as Chip Kelly's 86.8%.

Actually it gets even better. Assuming Ohio St makes it to the championship, then 4 out of all six Lanning losses will have been to teams that played in that year's championship. That would include all three loses from years two and three. Pretty impressive really.

[DrJacksPlaidPants]

On 1/2/2025 at 1:19 PM, OregonDucks said:

Actually, it’s 3 out of 6:
 

• Georgia “neutral site” game 

• Washington in Pac-12 Championship Game

• Ohio State in Rose Bowl

 

I certainly don’t hold the Georgia loss against him given it was his first game as the Oregon coach and he was going up against one of the great teams of the modern college football era.  
 

The other two games his teams were not prepared. Last year’s conference championship game was not as close as the score indicated. UW jumped all over Oregon (like Alabama did to Georgia this year) and the game was really over in the first half.  

Oregon came back and took the lead before losing 34-31. 

 

[BuckDuck]

Hello Ducks,

 

I am new to the forum and I am an Ohio State fan but have followed and enjoyed watching the Ducks since the Chip Kelly days. I also follow many other forums as I am a college football junkie. 
 

This morning as I was scrolling through OSU message boards I saw a post by a Ducks fan that really built on the sportsmanship and class I witnessed by the Ducks coaches, players, and fans. Especially Tez and Coach Lanning. 

 

I want to say the Ducks made an immediate and positive impact on the B1G and I am thrilled you are in the best conference in the country. I am super excited for many more years of Oregon and Ohio State matchups and my own heartbreaks that will undoubtedly come with it. 
 

Congrats and on a great season and for winning the B1G crown. Oregon will be a force for years to come and I can’t wait to see it. 
 

P.S. You all show more class than most OSU fans and Tennessee for sure (I checked)

 

-Alex

[DrJacksPlaidPants]

On 1/2/2025 at 5:48 PM, BuckDuck said:

Hello Ducks,

 

I am new to the forum and I am an Ohio State fan but have followed and enjoyed watching the Ducks since the Chip Kelly days. I also follow many other forums as I am a college football junkie. 
 

This morning as I was scrolling through OSU message boards I saw a post by a Ducks fan that really built on the sportsmanship and class I witnessed by the Ducks coaches, players, and fans. Especially Tez and Coach Lanning. 

 

I want to say the Ducks made an immediate and positive impact on the B1G and I am thrilled you are in the best conference in the country. I am super excited for many more years of Oregon and Ohio State matchups and my own heartbreaks that will undoubtedly come with it. 
 

Congrats and on a great season and for winning the B1G crown. Oregon will be a force for years to come and I can’t wait to see it. 
 

P.S. You all show more class than most OSU fans and Tennessee for sure (I checked)

 

-Alex

Alex,

Welcome. Duck fans can definitely get down in the gutter with the best of them. Just not on this forum. We’re really no different than any other neuroti…errr passionate fan base. Stick around awhile. You might just get to witness us calling for Dan Lanning’s head after our first loss next season.

[30Duck]

 

On 1/2/2025 at 2:48 PM, BuckDuck said:

 

P.S. You all show more class than most OSU fans and Tennessee for sure (I checked)

Thanks, I appreciate you coming over. As I'm sure you noticed, no Washington Husky fans here, could have been that oh so complicated signing in process you seemed to have handled, but for whatever reason, we're glad to have a real Rival in the B1G.

[Sandy Rocks]

Tez is a really special person. He gained a lot from his brother, Bo who is also a class act.

[BuckDuck]

@30Duck happy to be here and also happy to answer any OSU perspectives you have questions about! Appreciate the warm welcome. I love your perspectives and will always be respectful and objective. 
 

I get rivalries though. That’s why I don’t belong to a Xichigan board. Just know I will be quacking anytime you play TTUN. 
 

I foresee a competitive and mostly friendly rivalry for many years. I will say Oregon got absolutely hosed with the bracket. Hardest path of any team that got a bye regardless of the outcome previous games.
 

Oregon will be back next year. They will reload. Lanning is an elite recruiter and amazing in the portal. Hopefully as a conference we continue to spank the SEC. 

[30Duck]

BuckDuck, I hope you come by often. The Buckeyes have the only 2 time Heisman in No.45, Archie Griffin, I said yesterday, It's No.4's to lose next season, and if he stays for a junior season, probably be in the race for a second. Where possibly do you see where he can improve?

 

 

[PittDuck]

@BuckDuck welcome to the Forum with Decorum.  You will no doubt notice a lot of us will call your team osu2, simply because for us, you are the second OSU team to come into our lives.  We have a historied rivalry with the other OSU going back 100+ years.  They were also a school before you guys were!

[BuckDuck]

@30Duck Great question. Jeremiah Smith is a generational talent. OSU has had great talent at WR over the years but Smith is certainly setting the bar. Harrison, Smith-Njigba, Olave, Wilson. None of them started as a true freshman. 
 

He is a rare combination of speed, size, and strength. I noticed in the Tennessee game just how much bigger he is than most DBs. Currently on pace to shatter all OSU receiving records even if he only plays 3 years (which is highly likely). 
 

As for his areas of improvement that is harder to say. He already does so much well and at a high level. His instinct for attacking the ball, his vision in space, and finding the soft spot in the defense seems very refined for true freshman. Playing at a level I would expect to see out of a Junior or Senior.
 

I think where he stands to improve the most is physical strength, and some of the technical route running skills that it takes to get better separation when lined up on the edge without initialing too much contact with the DB. He is already very strong and has used it consistently throughout the year but still has size he can add to his frame. He also makes his biggest plays when lined up in the slot so will need to improve his routes when pressed on the edge. 
 

All that said, he does those things well already. But that is me being extra picky and I agree he is probably NFL ready now. 

[BuckDuck]

@PittDuck Well hopefully we never add Oklahoma State so we don’t have osu3! 

[1Ducker1]

Its all about the $$$$$. And thats what it takes in todays college football to win the big prize.

[OregonDucks]

On 1/2/2025 at 4:24 PM, Desert Duck said:

We lost to Washington 34-31. 

 

Not sure many would call that a blow out.

The game was 20-3 with less than 2 minutes to go in the first half. Oregon was not going to win that game with UW’s offense. 

Edited Friday at 01:35 AM by OregonDucks

[bbmichaels]

It’s very odd and obviously frustrating that OBD’s season is over while PSU is in the semifinals. Doesn’t seem right or fair in any way, but we all knew of that very possible scenario even before the B1G conference championship game.

 

It also seems very apparent that OSU is an absolute buzz saw at this point. So, OBD would have had to beat them in order to take home the trophy, and based on yesterday it doesn’t seem that was likely to happen, regardless of what round it was in. Props to OSU for peaking when it matters most.

 

But once the dust settles and we’re done feeling sorry for ourselves and fully rehydrated, let’s consider the facts of this season:

 

OBD:

1. 1) Won the B1G outright
2. 2) Beat OSU, Michigan, and PSU all in their first season in the B1G
3. 3) Won 13 games - the most ever for OBD
4. 4) Beat every team they faced this season

While it’s difficult to believe that all of those could be true and yet OBD somehow didn’t even make the semi finals…it’s still a darn impressive season.

 

The recruiting snowball is rolling at a level we as a program have never seen.

 

We have one of the brightest young coaches in the country.

 

There are great things ahead.

 

Happy New Year!

 

Go Ducks!

 

(And welcome new Buckeye posters!)

 

[30Duck]

On 1/2/2025 at 5:35 PM, OregonDucks said:

On 1/2/2025 at 1:24 PM, Desert Duck said:

We lost to Washington 34-31. 

 

Not sure many would call that a blow out.

The game was 20-3 with less than 2 minutes to go in the first half. Oregon was not going to win that game with UW’s offense. 

You say that one belongs in the Blowout category, no problem. But I know I feel, felt, a lot different after that L than I do after yesterday's game. I've pretty much put the loss to the Buckeyes in RB 2025 out of my mind. But those L's, by 3 points, will haunt me forever. I know I was thinking, 'the Ducks are going to win this'. as it was going on. I thought so, early, and it still hurts because I definitely thought they'd win in the end.