As OBD head into the final third of the season, some patterns have emerged in the team that become concerns to me that if not addressed create a dangerously low ceiling for an offense with much more potential. It should also be mentioned that against inferior competition, these concerns get hidden as the team simply overwhelms the defense on pure talent alone.

Out of eight games played, the Ducks have shown major offensive struggles in three (Penn St, Indiana, Wisky). These are the three I'm most focused on and am talking about. Here are my main concerns.

Offensive game plan: It feels against tougher competition, the plan gets way too conservative which creates predictability that tougher defenses exploit. Way to often, the Ducks seem to find themselves behind schedule then face third and long with inadequate plays designed to get the yardage needed. A three game sample size shows this to be a trend not just a one off.

Conservative passing plays: Kind of part two from the first critique, there seems to be way to much passing behind the line of scrimmage and passing short on third down. A timid passing attack just allows the defense to jam the box with too many defenders that also helps to stifle the running game. All in all I think this conservative approach negates the talent advantage that seems designed to spread out a defense and get playmakers in space.

AWOL playmakers: Time and time again in these tough battles, you see Sadiq with one or two receptions and Moore with two or three and Hill with a couple carries. What? All three of these guys have the potential to be national leaders at their positions but nearly disappear on their own stat sheets. Designing the offense to get these guys the ball should always be the priority. Bonus gripe: Davison should be starting and getting ten plus carries a game.

Where's Moga? Before the season started, I was sure that the offense would feature some Luke Moga trickeration from time to time. All three games mentioned above needed some sort of spark to get the defense out of it's comfort zone. I thought that was why Moga was on the team. By halftime of the three games mentioned the Ducks had 3 (PSU), 10 (Indy) and 7 (Wisky). Seems like shaking things up was in order in all three to me.

Putting it all together, I think OBD makes themselves way to easy to game plan against when they have the talent to be a nightmare. It feels like the ceiling for the offense has been set artificially low. Against lower level teams the talent mismatch gashes the defense and puts up video game numbers but against solid teams it's a perfect serving of sugar free vanilla pudding. I really hope something changes because this could still be a special season with special results.

I don't want this post to come off as to whiney but I'm just concerned that OBD are making things too hard on themselves by trying to play it safe,

The Ducks game planning and strategies need some help that's for sure--way too predictable.

Well, for fun and to stir the pot a bit here are the quarterback stats from last night.

Dante Moore 9/16. 5.7 yard avg. QBR 36.4

Brock Thomas 4/4 11.5 yard avg. QBR 93.8

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Santa Rosa Duck
missing word

Thomas also threw a ball that looked like a devastating interception except it slipped through the defender's hands and landed in the hands of Dakorien Moore.

I stated this in another thread, but this is also a good place for it. Oregon had 9 penalties and four of them came at bad times. Two penalties moved the offense out from inside the 10 yard line and one killed a 2nd and 2 from the Wisconsin 34. The 4th penalty wiped a TD off the scoreboard.

I really don't know football well at all but is it possible Moore is easily confused by certain defenses and has no ability to look downfield during those times? Like I said I have no clue about football beyond I hate the bubble screen with a passion.

Dont the QBs have earpieces these days? Maybe its the play callers that are confused?

Something is off for sure.

I have my own theory of how to fix some things but I'll save that for my Monday article.

I do think it comes down in part to the offensive line and not pairing early game plays with getting the offensive line settled. The line did better as the game wore on and leant on the lien's strengths.

Pass protection is certainly a worry especially at the tackle position as both tackles were retting worked early on against Wisconsin. They were consistently out worked against Indiana and struggled at times against Penn State, though against Penn the refs really didn't throw many flags where they have been more flag happy in the other two games.

I want to see the coaches work on some strategies to settle the offense early on in the game. That might also include rolling Moore out of the pocket more, he did a lot of it against Penn State to avoid their good edge rushers. (Yes, Penn State still has good edge rushers who are getting drafted).