2024 saw Oregon rack up 13 wins and a B1G championship, but the 2024 team had surprisingly little depth. When Matthew Bedford was lost before the season started, the offensive line was in disarray for two weeks. This season feels completely different; this season, “next man up” doesn’t feel like cliche, but a reality. Even Mr. FishDuck took a break ...

The DUCKS Have Roster Depth Like Never Before

Thanks David for this article. I totally agree with your assessment. What’s interesting is analysts across the nation are taking notice along with Oregon’s trajectory in the polls and in the BIG conference.

Rivals’ Justin Hopkins captured the shift in momentum, writing,

“I think Oregon is having a snowball effect, but not in the bad way. I think the snowball effect we’re seeing is the buy in from these players. You can see they were pushed and challenged all Spring and Fall…These guys are all elevating the level of play because they are doing the little things that make good teams great.”

Hopkins pointed to the program’s depth, noting players understand their starting jobs are at risk because “the guy behind them might be just as good.”

Hopkins added,

“With the impressive wins it is really hard not to allow your expectations to shift… it’s really difficult not to get excited based on what we are seeing on the field. Sure the real test is in Happy Valley in a couple of weeks but Oregon so far has aced the eyeball test.”

Analyst weighs in on if Dan Lanning's Oregon’ snowball effect could be natty bound

Analyst weighs in on if Dan Lanning's Oregon’ snowball ef...

Two weeks, two blowouts, and a surge to No. 4 in the AP poll have Oregon buzzing. With Dante Moore steady at quarterback, Dan Lanning’s depth-driven culture, and what analysts call a growing ‘snowball

GO DUCKS, FLY HIGH!

Thank you, David.

Another in-depth article from a writer most certainly not out of his depth.

Recruiting, from high school and the portal, is paying (right, Mike Gundy 😁) off. In today's CFB where you have to win three or four games on the way to a title, talent and depth are critical to winning it all.

There's no need to revisit 1/1/25 other than to note that we usually learn more from failure than we do success. This team is focused.

This Saturday, playing in front of 12,000 fans on the shores of Lake Michigan, will be a flash back for many players to the glory days of high school.

OBD Bobbed Bob's Cats, and Lassoed the Cowboys. Wake Up for a '9 AM kickoff' men, and Stone Preston and the Wildcats.

The Snap Count from Crushing the Cowboys evidences DM's dive into OBD's depth.

https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2025/09/08/oregon-ducks-snap-count-takeaways-week-2-oklahoma-state/86036120007/?utm_source=smg-duckswire-strada&utm_medium=e

1 hour ago, Jon Joseph said:

The Snap Count from Crushing the Cowboys evidences DM's dive into OBD's depth.

https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2025/09/08/oregon-ducks-snap-count-takeaways-week-2-oklahoma-state/86036120007/?utm_source=smg-duckswire-strada&utm_medium=e

Thanks for the link... Yeah this would have been helpful for writing the article.

Jayden Limar had the MOST snaps of all runningbacks at 23! Makhi Hughes second at 15.

Limar didn't have has many carries as Hughes (9) but he was in on more plays. It shows how much this staff thinks of Limar and his development that he is in the game as much as he is. He made some fantastic blocks. On the plays where there were 2 backs lined up along side Moore, Limar was always one of them and he never got the ball on those plays but he was a blocker for the runner.

Incredible development and I am thrilled for Limar. Biggest surprise of the year so far I think.

And anyone who says they saw this for Limar (that isn't on the team or a coach) is outright lying!

The depth at defensive back has been astonishing. They are all so fast, and hit hard whether they are veteran or a freshman. I actually think we have a touch faster reaction in the secondary this year, with more sure tackles in the first two games.

If there is an injury--I feel much better about the backup coming in....since he is playing as much as the starter!

Aaron Flowers, RS Freshman Safety

Thanks for the article David. Another deep set of observations as usual. Not much to add to this one, as you really hit the nail on the quality performances coming out of so many players.

6 hours ago, Jon Joseph said:

Thank you, David.

Another in-depth article from a writer most certainly not out of his depth.

Recruiting, from high school and the portal, is paying (right, Mike Gundy 😁) off. In today's CFB where you have to win three or four games on the way to a title, talent and depth are critical to winning it all.

There's no need to revisit 1/1/25 other than to note that we usually learn more from failure than we do success. This team is focused.

Well my entertaining friend, you bring up so many astute observations yourself. You're a key part of an ensemble of guys that really help me look at OBD from better perspectives.

I do hope 1/1/25 is on everyone's minds every hour on the hour. The time off (three weeks) really hurt, but that sting is ample motivation to make sure that never happens again. And I want some Buckeye blood. I already have a problem with Buckeye fans (I happen to really like Ryan Day, and that fan base is ridiculous about the guy-he's been nothing but stellar. And he is starting to look a lot like Kirby Smart in his own fashion-so their arrogance and distaste for Day miffs me quite a lot).

I think Lupoi has improved. I don't like the Mint defense, so that may be more my problem with the issues I see. But I do like that he is moving players more towards their strengths. He absolutely must get his linebackers to take away patterns in the middle of the field. They keep drifting out of coverage responsibilities. Coverage rules in my mind dictate the corners take the short routes outside. That leaves the LBs in seam, slant, digs and post pattern support. But that's just me. Let's see if Lupoi irons those things out.

Keep them coming Jon. You add so much to this forum!

Oregon is fifth in blue chip ratio at 78%. Michigan is currently the record holder for the lowest blue chip ratio to win a title at 54%.

More importantly I think Oregon is tougher after spending a year in the B1G. Some may scoff at that, but there is a gap between the big two and the other two or formerly three. Even high performing members of the PAC like Washington and USC struggled with the week in and week out physicality. Oregon won the darn thing, but you could see the defense starting to wilt at the end vs Penn State and Ohio State at the lines.

I think moving to the B1G is going to be the thing that finally gets Oregon over the hump. You can't simulate weekly physical football.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/blue-chip-ratio-2025-these-18-college-football-teams-can-actually-win-the-national-championship/

Great article David, thank you!

I can only agree with the points you (and others on this thread are making). For me, the depth, athleticism, youth, size, speed, and leadership are all factors that separate this year’s version of OBD from previous versions.

The thing I did not see coming that truly sets this group apart is blocking. These guys are not just willing to block, they are like heat-seeking missiles seeking to utterly destroy their targets!

You can see it on vertically every play at every level of the field. Not just the big uglies, the speedy skill guys as well! It is like they understand that is what will keep them on the field.

THAT is going to make a huge impact on this year’s success. Go Ducks!