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Regardless, OBD are going to roll Nebraska. You heard it here first. Honestly, I feel like this is a decisive game for OBD. They either wilt and the season goes off the rails like PSU last year, or they suck it up and start playing to potential. I'm betting on the latter. I'm not saying they win at OSU and make the playoffs, but I think they'll turn it around and it starts this week. Go Ducks!

And Evan Stewart is questionable

I haven't known what to do with all of this NIL stuff because who really knows; but, with so much attention and so many people looking at it (and so many people involved digging for off-the-record info), the given numbers probably almost must be increasing in accuracy. So, take this with a grain of salt (and remember they aren't my numbers). A few seem mildly surprising. Not trying to pile on here, more trying to add to the discussion of whats and whys. The thought appears to be indeed Oregon spent close to 70% of its total budget on player retention; but, with such a large budget, it still had about $7 million in NIL to spend in 2026. Over half that apparently went to two players: • Perich ($2 million) and Raiola ($1.5 to $2 miilion, lets say $1.8 million to make the numbers simple) = $3.8 million • 6 players thought to be in the $400,000 to $600,000 range: Scott, Olesh, Hooks, Robinson, Williams IV, and Bennett = $3.0 million • 6 remaining players: Price, Dixon, Dantzler, Simmons, Ettridge, Emmett about $200,000-$300,000 = $200,000 again to keep it simple Total: $7.0 million (about as projected) I understand the Perich splash play (even if it doesn't work out as well as Thieneman); and, I think there are future hopes/roles for Olesh and maybe Robinson. That's $3 million that maybe you call good. What did Oregon get out of the remaining $4 million? I know Raiola was a play primarily for 2027; but, he came in with a 2026 obligation to get 2027, which now has to very much be called into question after what can almost only be described as one of the very worse performances from a Duck starting QBs in almost two decades. Just watching that game one would wonder if DR can even get to Anthony Brown levels of play from where he now is at (the lack of accuracy and velocity on many of his throws was jarring). I have a hard time thinking Oregon put $400,000 into Bennett but the sites seem to think that might even be low (but I refuse to estimate Oregon going any higher). Scott, Hooks, and Williams look like they may have already been passed by (Hooks running out of eligibility and the other two possibily on the move again to look to play). What could have Oregon done with that $4 miilion in NIL on the OL if the young OL was properly evaluated and prioritized and veterans were brought in to raise the floor? Some guys who were out there just as examples? • Lance Heard (from Texas to UK): senior with 24 career starts now starting LT at UK: $1.5 to $2.0 million • Jacarrius Peak (NC State to South Carolina): 5th year senior with 31 career starts, starting LT at SC: $1.0 million to $1.2 million • Melvin Siani (Wake Forest to Texas): senior with 27 career starts, starting RT at Texas: $1.3 million • Zavier Chaplin (Auburn to FSU): 5th year senior with 37 career starts, starting LT at FSU: $800,000 to $1.3 million • Colton Price (BC to UK): 5th year senior with 30 career starts, starting C at UK: $500,000 • Tegra Tshabola (tOSU to UK): 5th year senior with 29 career starts, starting RG at UK: $800,000 to $1.0 million • E'Marion Harris (Arkansas to Oklahoma): 5th year senior with 24 career starts, starting RT at OU: $500,000 to $1.0 million More guys were out there and obviously OL were in demand; but, in college football today, the $ rules (and Oregon's $ are as green as anyone's); and, with $4 million to spend, at least two (if not even 3) of these guys could have been in play if the staff chose its priorities differently. For example, the Ducks have a ton of trouble at LG? I think Luli played a lot of LG early in his career. For apparently $1 million in NIL, Oregon could have had the starting RG for Ohio State's 2024 National Championship team (Tshabola) and moved Luli to LG and I think the IOL would be miles better (and probably would have upset a lot of Ohio State fans along the way which would have been a nice bonus). I know one of Oregon's key NIL guys followed Stein to Kentucky for a promotion; but, that much impact seems a stetch. Sure seems like a ball was dropped somewhere; or, dare I say it, maybe just some hubris went into decision making. Was another CB really that big a priority? Was the slot really in that bad shape? For that matter, how can the veteran blocking TE you made a target not even get on the field to block? 🤷‍♂️

My brother, in all things Ducks, I, without reservation, agree with and support your great takes 99% of the time. But when it comes to going for two far too early in the game vs. UCLA, I must demur. There isn't a metric between here and what used to be the planet Pluto that justifies going for two with a backup QB on the field playing behind a suspect O-line. Would 8 points instead of 7 have influenced the Bruins' game plan? NO! There is no way in Hades that the reward this early in the game justified the risk. This early rolling of the dice came up craps. Down 1 point in the 4th quarter, Oregon scores, kicks the extra point, and takes the game into OT. Oregon is odds-on to win the game in OT. Stop making in-game decisions on whimsy. 8 to nothing would have influenced the UCLA game plan more than 7 to nothing? Would it have improved Oregon's performance on offense? This team against decent defenses is not going to put up a plethora of points. Making strategic decisions based on former performance on offense is not prudent. I'm always happy to read your posts, and as noted above, I rarely disagree with your thoughts.

Safety group's performance has already been middling at best, Aaron was on the better part of that effort ☹️ I hope one of the new guys steps up.

Radio OBD Eugene, where the hits just keep on coming in this season of discontent. BRUTAL!

Oregon starting safety Aaron Flowers is out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. I know that all teams suffer injuries, but any injury to a contributor, especially a starter, is a detriment. Head coach Dan Lanning announced the update on October 14, 2026, noting that Flowers had been playing through the upper-body injury before opting for surgical repair. 2026 Season Performance Before Injury Before being sidelined, the junior defensive back started the first four games of the regular season alongside fellow safety Koi Perich. He suffered the shoulder injury during Oregon's 41-27 victory against USC and was subsequently forced to miss the Ducks' October 10 game against UCLA. At the time of his injury, Flowers was a major anchor for the back end of the secondary, ranking fourth on the team in tackling production. His 2026 statistical production over his four appearances includes: Total Tackles: 17 combined tackles (8 solo, 9 assisted) Pass Deflections: 1 pass breakup With Flowers out, the Ducks will look toward junior Peyton Woodyard, who earned his first career start against UCLA, alongside freshman Devin Jackson to fill the void at safety. Might we see the highly touted freshman Jett Washington?

Should they have pursued more OL talent from the portal? Absolutely! We all believed that they must have liked the pieces they had and they would be good enough ... That turned out to be wrong. And I'll happily eat my crow and admit I was one of those people saying the offensive line should be fine because in Dan we trust and if he was good with it it must be good.

I tried to watch some of Gernorris and what I caught looked a bit bumpy; but, he always has made a lot of sense at RT. PFF still gave him the second highest overall grade on the OL after Laloulu (69.2) with a score of 63.6. He did not look out-of-place filling in for Harkey at Iowa last year. No one sees practice of course, but I imagine it's possible his recovery from last year's season ending foot injury has slowed his return? Big athletes and their feet can sometimes make for complicated injuries, what is Gernorris 6-5 and 320?

Nebraska's pass rush could frustrate Oregon's offense https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2026/10/14/oregon-football-previewing-nebraskas-defense-in-week-7-matchup/92237784007/ Nebraska's offensive versatility could prove tough for Ducks' defense https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2026/10/14/oregon-football-nebraska-offensive-preview-week-7/92244297007/

Akili Smith Jr. 'absolutely' involved in starting quarterback competition, Lanning saysOregon sophomore Akili Smith Jr. is also a name to know this week as the team seeks out its starting quarterback against Nebraska. https://247sports.com/college/oregon/article/akili-smith-jr-absolutely-involved-in-starting-quarterback-competition-lanning-says-291273982/

I keep seeing the 2pt after after the first TD was silly. I still haven't seen the game (will tomorrow). Wasn't that score very early in the game. I think that's an assumption he would score more than one TD at that point. I see no reason to question it. That would mean every in the WHOLE world would have to know it was going to be so consequential late in the game. Nobody could know that.. Just like is Seattle, nobody knew OBD would lose by exactly 3 point. And if anyone did, please message me- I need billions of dollars - I live in Vegas and I can clean out the sports books and casinos

On the Sunday morning radio sports show he shares, Geoff Schwartz was bemoaning the O-line play vs UCLA. It was his contention that Oregon did not run a single play on offense without at least one screwup in assignment by an O-lineman. He said it was apparent the coaching staff was getting frustrated and were trying in-game substitutions of players who screwed up, but as soon as something was "fixed" then there would be a screwup elsewhere with a different player. Then, a player pulled out would be rotated back in and screwup again.

The problem noted in the excellent Sco Ducks video someone kindly provided yesterday is that Dylan was indecisive. This was convincingly shown by their expert commentator in his film study. There were completions available if only he had pulled the trigger. Brock was much better.

Or the Mexico of Washington. ☹️

So long as Charles opened the door about writing that needs proofreading, I will put on my grammar police hat for a few lines. A sound-alike word in the English language that is most misused is "there, their and they're". "They're" is a contraction for they are. "Their" is always possessive, meaning ownership. And "there" means a place and also goes everywhere else the first two do not apply. Use this sentence to help you recall: "They're over there with their football." If you misuse the language, readers have good reason to question the content of your communication.

How about changing from 7 turnovers to 1 or less. Offensive play calling did not call for those TOs. I'll also back A'lique Terry. Three straight Joe Moore semifinalists. Good recruiter and proven results. One "off year" is not a Titanic moment in my opinion. I think a lot of discontent is the fact that we all thought this was "our year". Well, we were wrong. The DLine is more of a culprit than the we-knew-there-would-be-growing-pains OLine. Although the D was dang good in only giving up 17 points in a 7 TO game.

Hear from Oregon star edge defender Matayo Uiagalelei as he breaks down the Ducks' defensive success, where the program can and will get better, and a look-ahead to Nebraska.

Oregon head football coach Dan Lanning spoke with the media on Wednesday and got really in-depth on the Ducks' operation and preparation ahead of this weekend's match-up against Nebraska.

Doubt the changes apply to staff yet. I do think this may be Mehringer's last chance at sole play-calling duties. Personally, I'd say A'lique Terry should be the first guy to go. I believe he was able to hide is inadequacies at developing players through the transfer portal the last couple of years. When he had experienced, good linemen, he looked good. Now he has a bunch of raw talent that needs to be coached up and it just doesn't look like it is happening. The personnel on the O-Line really can't change that much because Lanning has already tried that and has seen the results. My guess is schematically, he will put an emphasis on getting the ball out quick (gets Jamari Johnson involved), not throwing on the back foot, and digging into the run game more decisively. I still think we need to make the QB more of a run threat to keep defenses from selling out on our RBs. I cant imagine that they haven't practiced the read-option this season. With a still-in-development line, it would allow much more wiggle room to get yards up the field rather than hoping the line can constantly get push for runs up the middle.

Yeah, the problems are so severe at the guard position that we are not only not generating PUSH for the running game, we are often getting pushed backwards spontaneously with the snap of the ball! It's amazing how quickly plays are blown up by middle of the road defensive lineman. Jeez, how bad can it get?

Just what we need, another "deer in the headlights" quarterback.

Agree. Compounding the issue is that Dave Iuli at RG isn't particular good at run blocking either 😬

Rumor is Justin Herbert has asked the Chargers to release him so he can go play for a better team and come back to the Ducks.