Have Novosad and Moga continued to dress and practice with the team throughout the season? I have never heard that either of them was missing practices and I’ve never heard that they are still practicing. Is it still likely that we see one of them subbing at QB should (knock wood) the need arise?

Who is the real next man up at quarterback? I like to hope there is the possibility to use one of them or Akili Smith in the playoffs. I’ve never been convinced that Brock Thomas is the most capable player based solely on merit; in case of emergency. I think the opportunity to showcase their ability in the playoffs would probably overwhelm the risk of injury in a playoff game for either Novosad or Moga.

This was the year it looked as if Oregon finally had insurance in place in case Moore was injured; in fact, it seemed as if there was a real quarterback competition last Fall between capable candidates. Now where are we? With this team’s horrible history of shoving unprepared backup QB’s into our late-season and Bowl games over the years, are we up the same creek again? Dennis Dixon or Kellen Clemens were hurt late and the team had no one ready to step up. 

I didn't think we'd be in the same position once again with Lanning in charge but is Thomas really, really the number 2? Thoughts?

Lanning was totally serious when he said that Thomas earned the backup job in practice.

Novosad and Moga will probably transfer. If that happens they have to transfer between January 2-16 which is during the playoffs.

I can't imagine Novosad not following WS to Kentucky. He knows the offense that Stein would design and would likely already be starting at a bunch of P4 teams not named Oregon.

This could change if Dante declares and the 2026 qb #1 is an open battle between Novosad, Moga, Smith and Beaver (still getting used to that name in green and yellow). I suspect that since Thomas rose to be the #2 this year, that there was either a fall off in performance from the scholarship qbs or injury issues.

Regardless, if Dante stays I imagine Stein takes Novosad with him and Oregon works to develop the successor internally. If he declares, DL hits the portal for a plug and play qb while working to have Moga, Smith or Beaver ready for 2027, and Novosad is still gone.

While it would likely derail Oregon's CFP run if Moore goes down and Thomas takes the helm, there is precedent for a recent NC won by a team with a walk-on qb and a very good defense. Think 2022 Georgia with Stetson Bennett at qb and DC Dan Lanning.

If Novosad and Moga are not able to beat out Thomas over the course of the season then there is no reason for them to stay on the team. Thomas is a great story (homegrown kid) but not a QB that is going to take you where Oregon wants to go. I will be absolutely shocked if they are both not in the portal come January. I am guessing by then the Ducks will know what Moore is doing. If he goes pro, we are absolutely getting a QB from the portal.

My suspicion is that Novosad would play if Dante couldn’t go for an extended period of time. He is as good as gone in the transfer portal.

Hopefully we don’t find out because Dante Moore is one, if not the best QB, in college football. He is still learning and will make mistakes but he can make throws that I haven’t seen many college QBs be able to make. NFL scouts/GMs are drooling over his highlight tapes.

Edited 7 hours ago7 hr by OregonDucks

The discussion of this at 24/7 sports a few weeks ago was informative.

They said that in the practices that they had observed, Brock Thomas was clearly a more accurate passer than Luke Moga. It was apparent to me that Thomas runs quite well and has respectable arm talent. He was a 3 star prospect who had scholarship offers from other colleges. He is at the U of O because he wants to be there.

They speculated that Novosad had a lingering injury at the time of the Wisconsin game. However, the Stetson Bennett comparison may be applicable.

2 hours ago, EastBayDuckDad said:

I can't imagine Novosad not following WS to Kentucky. He knows the offense that Stein would design and would likely already be starting at a bunch of P4 teams not named Oregon.

This could change if Dante declares and the 2026 qb #1 is an open battle between Novosad, Moga, Smith and Beaver (still getting used to that name in green and yellow). I suspect that since Thomas rose to be the #2 this year, that there was either a fall off in performance from the scholarship qbs or injury issues.

Regardless, if Dante stays I imagine Stein takes Novosad with him and Oregon works to develop the successor internally. If he declares, DL hits the portal for a plug and play qb while working to have Moga, Smith or Beaver ready for 2027, and Novosad is still gone.

While it would likely derail Oregon's CFP run if Moore goes down and Thomas takes the helm, there is precedent for a recent NC won by a team with a walk-on qb and a very good defense. Think 2022 Georgia with Stetson Bennett at qb and DC Dan Lanning.

I can imagine Novosad not going to Kentucky---it could be that Stein won't want him. After all, Stein has coached Novosad for a few years now and may have come to the conclusion that he will not develop into a starting college quarterback.

There is no question that Brock Thomas earned his ranking as #2 QB and if he is called on, Dan Lanning feels confident that he will do a good job.

3 minutes ago, Santa Rosa Duck said:

There is no question that Brock Thomas earned his ranking as #2 QB and if he is called on, Dan Lanning feels confident that he will do a good job.

Actually there is some question and thus this thread. Did Brock Thomas earn it because the coaches knew that Novosad was transferring out or he was a bit banged up?

It’s one thing to put a QB in the game when you know the other team can’t score and the game plan is to run the ball. Would Coach Lanning feel as confident with Brock against Indiana, Ohio State or Georgia’s defense?

I and others are not so sure…

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by OregonDucks

16 minutes ago, OregonDucks said:

Actually there is some question and thus this thread. Did Brock Thomas earn it because the coaches knew that Novosad was transferring out or he was a bit banged up?

It’s one thing to put a QB in the game when you know the other team can’t score and the game plan is to run the ball. Would Coach Lanning feel as confident with Brock against Indiana, Ohio State or Georgia’s defense?

I and others are not so sure…

If Novasad was not healthy during the Wisconsin game, that is the only valid argument for him actually being ahead of Thomas, and even that is iffy because Thomas came in first for mop up duty in other games too.

Brock can play winning football for us as Lanning says. He can't make some of those game winning throws Moore can, but maybe he could make some better decisions at times too that makes the drop off not as significant. Thomas is a bit more of baller than Moore if we are being honest.

They have all practiced, they have all suited up. They are all available so far.

We need to have 3 or 4 QBs available in EVERY GAME because it only takes one play for someone to go down.

BT is QB #2. We don't know who is #3 and #4.

Highly doubt the coaches would do anything aside from having the second best guy be QB2. Win now is college football in 2025.

Well, we are going to find out if Brock Thomas is really capable of starting if Moore goes pro. One thing is certain, Thomas executed what he was given. We saw a limited sample, so we have that to go on. I for one am not convinced Thomas is the guy. Has he been given a scholarship? If not, shouldn't he have one now? Personally, I would take Smith Jr. over Thomas. I just do not believe Brock Thomas can march OBD down the field six times a game and generate 30 plus points. I just do not see that.

I recognize Moga and Novo have accuracy issues. And Thomas has proven he is mobile. None of the three can throw 45 yard laser shots down the sideline, which I feel is more important. You have to stretch the field, point blank. The QB that accurately does that is the QB that wins titles. Smith Jr. the only backup capable of making that happen. I will remain openminded however, because Thomas we have not seen in OT versus Penn State, or Thomas against Indiana. Perhaps he IS capable of winning those games.

I'd like to see a poll on that: Is Thomas capable of defeating the Ohio States, Georgias, and Indianas of the world? Is Novo, Smith or Moga? Is DANTE MOORE?

I personally don’t think he is the answer for next year by any stretch, but I have no doubt and trust the coaches if they think he’s currently our second best guy. If Moore goes pro and Smith isn’t ready next year, we will need a portal guy imo.

There are no mid-season trades, roll with what we got.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by JabbaNoBargain

Above, Mike West comments about quarterback capability to throw 45 yard laser shots down the sideline. OBD fans have seen Dante Moore execute those throws with precision frequently. If we set that as the standard for our starting QB, we’re going to be sadly disappointed.

I watched Fernando Mendoza start for Cal at Cal four years ago. He was impressive. I expect him to win the Heisman. His arm is strong and accurate. He does not make the passes Dante makes. I have watched all the quarterbacks in playoffs. None throw like Dante.

Justin Herbert does.

In response to comments #14 and #16, Mendoza was good enough to beat OSU last night, with a lot of help from his defense. Mendoza made some beautiful throws, especially to Becker on fourth and short.

Thomas's body of work is limited, so it is hard to reach any firm conclusions about his potential. I recall that he threw one "frozen rope" to the sideline of about twenty yards that led me to think that his arm strength is better than I thought. He also made an ill-advised throw on the run that nearly resulted in a costly interception. The problem there was judgment not physical talent. I admit that he is short, but he has excellent speed.

I am not suggesting he is the permanent solution. I do not know.

Once again I am surprised at what we value as fans. Brock came in with no fanfare from pundits. Not many stars after his name. Only offered by Montana St and Portland St. (Maybe a couple others) and our head coach, whom we all trust, says he won OUTRIGHT the qb2 backup spot in practice. And we all doubt it?I thought it was "in Lanning we trust". We trust scouting by writers over what our coach sees?!

Btw, Justin Herbert was also an under the radar player, as was Marcus Mariota. They ended up being pretty good.

I don't mean to be rude, but I trust DL and WS more than writers or pundits.

Will Dante go pro?

Will any QB transfer?

Will we pick up a QB from the portal?

Inquiring minds want to know.

These and other questions need to be answered while we are playing for a National championship!

CFB is now in the twilight zone.

Right now I've got James Madison on my mind. And if our coaches are happy with BT as QB2, I'm jiggy with it.

As long as we accept that there has been a sea change in how officials interpret OL holding, we’re going to see the time for more and better thrown deep balls. Given that, I’m inclined to withhold judgement on Thomas until next year. And, I tend towards someone whose’s motivated to be a Duck.