Yes, I know it is a poor sample size, and we won't know for certain until we play Penn State...but both offense and defense....they seem tighter in performance than even last year. I had no complaints about last year, but it seems that blocking is a touch better, and tackling is 15% better.

Many times first-downs were achieved on second effort on us by opposing RBs, but in the first two games--we see LBs and DBs closing fast, and maintaining the stop.

I could not but help but wonder if anyone else observed this?

Now THAT is a Running Lane!

Photo by Scott Kelley

This does feel different so far.

Last year we only scored more than 40 points three times, Oregon State, Washington and Penn State. Never broke 50.

Last year had some very sleepy third quarters and it was the norm that Oregon would score 0 points in the third. The game may tighten up and they'd put up some points on the 4th to put it away.

As a result Gabriel was in the game through 4 quarters quite regularly.

Moore this year is doing what Nix did in 2023... Get the job done and taking a seat.

The blocking does feel better and the defense feels like they are improving as well.

The 2024 team was probably worse than 2023, we just were ill equiped to deal with the Huskies. Everyone else we disposed of.

This season feels similar... We are the better team so far and Oregon is demolishing teams in the first two weeks.

Something is different but in a good way.

Speaking of blocking...

That looks like the Kink of the Kowboyz!

Urban Meyer: "I haven't seen that in many, many years."

Be prepared to see this often from a ton of fan bases...

"Coach Gundy....12 new coaches are not enough."

January 1, 2025, was a B1G Bad Day. That's Day squared. 😒

Laying a Huge Duck Egg before the Sun started to disappear behind the San Gabriel's resonates.

I think everyone from the top down is dialed in. Those who haven't completely bought-in are suspened or spend time on the pine. I recall feeling the same about Georgia the season after Tua broke the Dawgs hearts. Will we see the same results?

It isn't easy to overcome a figurative and literal decapitation. 😁Quack!

Waste the Wildcats!

This is the first season where Dan has felt comfortable enough to put the backups in around halftime, and the sheer volume of "1st team" rotation players feels very different too.

This feels very national championship like for that reason alone. Like the Mariota days.

55 minutes ago, Charles Fischer said:

"Coach Gundy....12 new coaches are not enough."

“I should have fired myself…”

— Coach Gundy

2 hours ago, Charles Fischer said:

Be prepared to see this often from a ton of fan bases...

I love how they forget how he didn't even have the interest to pick up the phone for Bama but he'll definitely take over at Florida.

4 minutes ago, David Marsh said:

I love how they forget how he didn't even have the interest to pick up the phone for Bama but he'll definitely take over at Florida.

We'll see how the season plays out, but if UW improves as much as I believe it will this season, Florida graduate Jedd Fisch, who coached under Spurrier at Florida, could be on the list. UW will not be able to come close to what Fisch would be offered. Jedd has a wealth of coaching experience and is 49 years old.

And Dan Mullen, who did not have a bad record at Florida but got sideways with the fans over what was believed to be lackadaisical recruiting, is back coaching at UNLV, 2-0 with a win over (supposed P4) UCLA.

The teams do not meet for the second season in a row, but Mizzou's Eli Drinkwitz could be on the radar.

With the loss to USF, Billy Napier could have a difficult time finishing 6-6. Florida's schedule for the rest of the season is absurdly difficult. OOC, the Gators are on the road in Week 4 at Miami after playing at LSU this Saturday, and have home games remaining against Texas, Tennessee, and a Mississippi State team that just defeated ASU. The Gators play Georgia in Jacksonville, and road games at A&M, Kentucky, and Ole Miss.

Napier is sitting on a scalding seat. 🤬

Don't forget Kiff.

Billy Napier replacements: Ranking Florida's best coachin...

Florida could be on the lookout for a coach for the fifth time since Urban Meyer left in 2010.

Definitely different.

First two games were fun to watch this year, and last year the first two were somewhat painful.

As far as I can tell, we have an NFL caliber QB, RBs, WR’s, TE, and OL. Then on defense…NFL caliber DE’s, DT’s, LB’s, CB’s, and S.

This team drips with talent, and they play hard for each other.

I think that I really like that we will be the underdog going to Penn State in a few weeks. All the pressure will be on them to prove that they can beat a CFP caliber team.

Not just coaching but the confidence to put in young players when performance matters. What strikes me as different compared to previous DL teams is the depth of talent. Very little drop off between the '1s' and the '2s'. Lots still to prove with the real test in Happy Valley in three weeks, but what a start for OBD.

Hilarious that Florida's fan base thinks that DL would leave for Gainesville when he told Bama "The grass is damn green in Eugene".

I'm glad it's not just me! Just the overall vibe and the visuals look very different than last season's start. I can only theorize that it's a combination of a couple things:

• The young coaching staff is maturing and continuing to learn from past mistakes.

• The overall makeup of the roster is primarily Dan Lanning high school recruits, most of which have been in the system at least 1-2 years.

• The roster talent level is mind-bogglingly high and best of all, looks to be committed to the program culture.

Additionally, I believe it was mentioned that Will Stein had simplified the offensive playbook this time around which probably allowed for all the new starters to get up to speed more quickly. It's probably why we're seeing so many WRs and RBs all having some level of success right out of the gate.

So all players are Lannings guys.

All buy in to his "team " philosophy.

We are seeing the results.

This year's team is different, cuz they're all Lannings boys. We need to change our thinking as Duck fans, cuz these guys are all buying in to the Lanning philosophy: team first.

Look at the blocking, the sacrifice (Noah's block on blitz), down field blocking, etc.

These guys want everyone to succeed.

Raise can be a BIG year.

My opinion: Dante is the guy to lead us to a Natty. BUT, Austin Novosad can get it done too.

We are in great shape!

1 minute ago, DanLduck said:

So all players are Lannings guys.

All buy in to his "team " philosophy.

We are seeing the results.

This year's team is different, cuz they're all Lannings boys. We need to change our thinking as Duck fans, cuz these guys are all buying in to the Lanning philosophy: team first.

Look at the blocking, the sacrifice (Noah's block on blitz), down field blocking, etc.

These guys want everyone to succeed.

This can be a BIG year.

My opinion: Dante is the guy to lead us to a Natty. BUT, Austin Novosad can get it done too.

We are in great shape!

We

5 hours ago, Charles Fischer said:

"Coach Gundy....12 new coaches are not enough."

Can I be your equipment manager?

5 hours ago, Charles Fischer said:

"Coach Gundy....12 new coaches are not enough."

“You’re a man! You’re 40!

6 hours ago, Charles Fischer said:

Texas number two and Alabama number four? Is this Finebaum again? Notre Dame lost to Miami and they are nine spots higher. Texas is ahead of the team that beat them last week and Alabama got blown out vs a team not even in the top twenty yet they are fourth. Auburn and Missouri are ahead of Utah and LSU.

Florida doesn't deserve to be in the top 25 after that crap show Saturday. I can't take this nonsense seriously. It's ESPN SEC propaganda, I'm only shocked that they actually have a non SEC team number one.

Edited 17 hours ago17 hr by GatOrlando

8 hours ago, Charles Fischer said:

"Coach Gundy....12 new coaches are not enough."

Can I borrow your barber?

9 hours ago, GatOrlando said:

Texas number two and Alabama number four? Is this Finebaum again? Notre Dame lost to Miami and they are nine spots higher. Texas is ahead of the team that beat them last week and Alabama got blown out vs a team not even in the top twenty yet they are fourth. Auburn and Missouri are ahead of Utah and LSU.

Florida doesn't deserve to be in the top 25 after that crap show Saturday. I can't take this nonsense seriously. It's ESPN SEC propaganda, I'm only shocked that they actually have a non SEC team number one.

Statistical anomaly. Pick and choose what you think is important and make up an equation. FPI and SP+ I think of tendencies. They are paint by number pictures. They aren't going to produce a Monet, Picasso or Van Gogh.

16 minutes ago, Tandaian said:

Statistical anomaly. Pick and choose what you think is important and make up an equation. FPI and SP+ I think of tendencies. They are paint by number pictures. They aren't going to produce a Monet, Picasso or Van Gogh.

I'm not into abstract art. I see a mess of colors and no discernable outlines and I just see a mess. Alabama got pushed around and humiliated by a two win team that had to integrate 20 new starters. I don't care if they scored a hundred vs ULM, IBM, or IBS. They looked DOA on both sides in a game they had all off-season to prepare for. Texas lost to a team and didn't look all that impressive in comparison to the team that beat them the prior week.

SECPN is a joke. Their polls are a joke, and their analysts are a joke. The only problem is the joke isn't funny. I'm embarrassed as a fan of an SEC program, but as a college football fan that used to love watching ESPN I'm even more disappointed that the largest network is so bias. They don't have the same credibility or viewing enjoyment. I miss Stuart Scott, Rich Risen, Dan Patrick and all those old Sportscenters that gave me the memorable highlights with that music and funny lines.

16 hours ago, Charles Fischer said:

Speaking of blocking...

After only two weeks, if I was limited to only one word to describe what is most incredible to me about OBD, without question, it is 'BLOCKING.'

I'm not sure the last time I have ever seen blocking like this, and I don't think I've ever seen it on an Oregon team -- not like this.

After a couple of the early run plays on Saturday, I was saying to myself that our running backs had better be thanking their line for some amazing blocks. However, as the game continued on, it was evident that every single player, including the running backs, were laying down incredible blocks all game long.

And, the blocks weren't just initial engagement contact, they were sustained and often they were taking their defender 10 to 15 yards down the field before stuffing them into the turf.

I think we all knew that Oklahoma State was not going to put up more than, at best, 17 points, with most of those coming during garbage time.

But I expected their defense to be at least half decent. So, at this point, I'm just wondering how great our offense really is. And even though we've been playing against subpar talent, this all just looks different.

I am trying to temper my feelings after watching the first two games, but i think it is obvious that now that the players are all CDL products, and the culture he had built in UGA is now in full swing in Eugene.

The players all seem to be giving everything and more that CDL is asking for. There was no let off until CDL said to. Its subtle, it probably doesn't look much different to most non-OBD fans, but its there.

Coupled with being so close last year, this years motivation is easy to come by. It gives me chills watching how prepared, how in tune, and just how hard the players are playing for each other.

Having been a fan and gone to games since the early-mid Eighties...its something to see.

Yes, I have noticed that we are gang tackling a lot more, which is a sign of great defense. Keep it up, OBD!

This team seems to have a incredibly high "motor" right now. From beginning to end of each play and each game.

It's all out, finish the play, and we're going to come at you in waves, because we have the talent, and we're going to use it all to wear you down.

Even the best teams in the playoffs last year wore down quite a bit as the tournament played on. Depth will be huge!

I'm still a little concerned about our run defense when we face more talented teams. We gave up 144 quiet yards on the ground to a team sporting a 18.7 QBR this week. Three backs averaged 4.3, 4.5, and 5.2 yards per carry and I was surprised and delighted at the awful play calling from OSU when they'd abandon the run. Hopefully, there's enough tape there to patch those seams. Go Ducks!

15 hours ago, GatOrlando said:

Texas number two and Alabama number four? Is this Finebaum again? Notre Dame lost to Miami and they are nine spots higher. Texas is ahead of the team that beat them last week and Alabama got blown out vs a team not even in the top twenty yet they are fourth. Auburn and Missouri are ahead of Utah and LSU.

FPI is based on raw talent and past results. The SP+ rankings are more accurate. They include current year performance, and expectations based on the current composite of the team. FPI is what the Sports Books use to calculate point spreads, and they are probably more reliable as the season wears on.

Texas is high because they were more potent last year against the second tier level of schools (now that we have the Ohio State sample, we now know Texas struggles against elite defenses. Clemson is in the same category as the sample is out there as well -though I am not so sure about LSU yet). I haven't watched the Florida-South Florida game yet-or a number of others, so I don't have a complete feel on the group of teams outside of Ohio State that I feel are OBD's biggest challenges.

I will say this about OBD: effort and depth are outstanding. I still have some concerns about the secondary, but the talent and skill level is much better than any time in the Lanning era. I still see the LBs watch the QB too much, and I do believe coverage rules are a problem more than the talent-but the LBs not taking away options (instead of trying to determine where the QB will throw the ball) is a major weakness.

Lupoi absolutely needs to keep his edge defenders on the edge, somebody is going to crush it with counter runs if he keeps dragging the DEs to the middle of the box.

I believe Stein recognizes he will need to drop forty on everybody, as he is employing a much more aggressive approach to the game. Stein is using some elements of Taggart's Gulf Coast offense. And he is going under center. I love that. He is actually employing elements of other offenses into his scheme. Lanning even referred to it in an interview-they are scouting other CFB teams, and maybe even looking at the NFL. Whatever it is, Stein just signaled he is going to unleash more styles than he has been employing.

Somebody mentioned it, not sure who, but the WRs blocking downfield is much better. And the WR screens are now a set up for Sequential/Constraint plays downfield-the screens are a set up for fakes so Moore can throw downfield. So I believe the staff learned its lessons in January. You can't put up enough points against elite teams. You need to think its an NBA scoring fest. Like the Alabama/Clemson title games last decade.

Until I see the secondary shut down elite WRs, I will not crown this defense as elite. Georgia and Ohio State have the best pass defenses in the country until proven otherwise. That is the kind of defense OBD need. If we get those kinds of defenses, then we are looking at the rest of the decade as true top shelf, tough to defeat elite teams. Like Nick Saban/Kirby Smart kind of teams. Lanning has the team on the path. I just need to see the defense tighten up some loose ends

5 minutes ago, Mike West said:

I believe Stein recognizes he will need to drop forty on everybody, as he is employing a much more aggressive approach to the game.

I sense that too, a much different approach than last year, where we, "did a slow-roll" of the offense as the season progressed. I believe he has made a tactical turn toward creating an expectation of scoring boatloads, using strategic formational and play variations to overwhelm an opposing DC in preparation. Then he pulls something else out not seen before...

Perhaps they have embraced that this is the era of offense as you suggested, and thus need a high-powered offense to counter. Glad to see it, and glad to see all the entertaining permutations of plays off formations.

9 minutes ago, Mike West said:

Stein is using some elements of Taggart's Gulf Coast offense. And he is going under center. I love that. He is actually employing elements of other offenses into his scheme.

Ha! You noted the Fly-Sweep from under center to Dak Moore zipping by....which resembles elements of the "Jet-Sweep" from the Shotgun under Taggart. I've seen more snaps under center in the first two games this year than entire seasons in the past, and I love it. (This might be part of following up on recruiting promises to prepare Oregon QBs for the NFL?)

It seems that Stein has really upped his game, as has the rest of the team.