bbmichaels

I generally like trying to create one more opportunity for the offense like that. But when we've had more negative or zero yard plays than positive plays, and only 50 yards of offense in the entire first half, I think the odds are more likely that the one play or one missed assignment would have gone against OBD than for them at that point. I tend to agree with Zachary Neal's take. Let the half die and try to regroup. But, obviously, hindsight is 20/20. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/football/5-takeaways-from-oregon-s-17-14-comeback-win-over-nebraska/ar-AA2etTee?cvid=6ad4fb993dd74dacad05c271f6481668&ocid=hpmsn

I had the same thought as he was calling those time outs. Did he really expect that they would be able to move the ball after NE punted? I know he's big on the whole middle 8 thing, but that was not the time. After the Ify pick deep in NE territory I was yelling for them to just kick the FG on 1st down. I was 90% joking...but then they fumbled on the next play. It's incredible to see an offense that's mostly been so good for a long time be reduced to this level so quickly. I can't help but think other teams simply have them figured out.

I have to disagree here, as I've seen this sentiment posted a lot. Yes, they are paid extremely well. And yes, that brings expectations of return on investment.. But no, that does not magically make them older or more knowledgeable with money. The NBA and NFL have classes and resources to help the young newcomers deal with sudden wealth. I assume the college teams are now doing that as well but I don't know that. Regardless, they are very much kids. They just get paid a lot of money and have huge weight on their shoulders. That's a recipe for mixed results. Some will handle it well. Some will not. Hopefully the coaches are doing everything possible to help them navigate new wealth and pressure. But the fact that they're being paid a bunch of money doesn't mean they're ready to handle it. If anything it makes it more difficult for them to navigate, at least in terms of handling finances and dealing with internal motivations.

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!

Watching the game and my heart wants what it wants: Go Dawgs. (I just threw up in my mouth a little)

Dude is legit. That one-hand catch he made was the play of the game. If only it had counted... Any one-hand catch is impressive, but he didnt scoop and cradle it or use his arm, etc. He straight up caught it with the grip of his hand. The hand size/strength to do that and make it look easy is impressive.

Sample size is still very small. He definitely seems to have more of that dynamic slinger to him, sort of like Dillon Gabriel in that way. Dante just seems overly careful...almost stiff by comparison. Assuming Dante misses UCLA that should provide more to go on. If Dante misses several games and Raiola continues to excel I think it becomes less difficult, if they are deep in the season and rolling... But I'm not completely sold just yet. I believe in Dan.

I've been thinking today about how I would feel had it been OBD on the wrong side of that scene. I definitely would have been embarrassed and disgusted, and I would have expected serious repercussions afterward. I probably wouldn't have turned the game off... I imagine many USC fans felt similarly - a bit of cognitive dissonance. The one-game suspension works to counter that a bit in the fanbase. It's inadequate IMO, but had it been OBD i probably see that and think to myself that Dan has it handled. It helps us internally justify our continued Fandom. "See, we're not the bad guys..." Meanwhile, I doubt the culture in their program changes. I truly hope and tend to believe that the current culture at OBD is better than that.

I don't recall ever watching anything quite like that scene following the hit on Dante. The parallels of seeing a player knocked out with his body fencing, interlaced with shots of the person who injured him dancing around the field celebrating, then shots of paramedics tending to the injured player, switching back to the offending player celebrating with teammates on the sideline, then ambulance, followed by him smiling and laughing as it's announced that he's been ejected from the game. It almost didn't seem real. I actually felt a bit embarrassed to be watching it all unfold alongside my kids. As others have said in articles and forums all over: the hit was dirty but yes, the slide was a bit late and play happens fast... It was obviously targeting, and a dirty play, but had that kid shown remorse, or even some level of concern for the health of the human he just aggregiously injured, the conversation is a lot different today. It was his behavior afterward, which was simply inhumane and unacceptable in a civilized society, that made the whole thing almost unbelievable to witness. I really hope there are material repercussions in the wake of it, but I'm not holding my breath. So glad to hear that Dante should be ok.

We were really concerned about the o-line two years ago after they looked bad against Idaho and Boise State, but once they did some sorting they ended up being a solid unit. Hoping this year is similar. The talent should be there...

I've had moments after many games that I questioned Dan's decisions, but never have I had the thoughts that I did after this game. Not just overly aggressive, but borderline idiotic IMO. That said, Dan has built a lot of equity via many good wins and an obvious recruiting and cultural shift... Point being that while this game definitely tarnished the halo a bit, Dan deserves the grace and benefit-of-the-doubt that he's earned. One game does not mean the sky is falling. Let's see what the season holds. Dan deserves that, at the very least. And... with all of the returning player talent I think we glossed over the coordinator changes a bit. That's a huge deal. They need a learning curve too. I'll be curious to see how we feel at season's end... Will we be in the dumps, or will we laugh at the knee-jerk reactions of present-day us ...? I guess we'll see.

The Auburn fanbase referred to Nix as Bo Picks and seemed fine with him leaving. Experience can work wonders. We've been spoiled by three years of having basically the most experienced college QB ever. I for one am happy to hear this news and look forward to seeing Dante grow.

OU beat Bama OU beats Indiana OBD beats OU on a controversial onside kick The state of Oklahoma descends into anarchy and collapses

Post deleted.

I'm disappointed that I didn't get to see it.

I like the concept. But, the deep ball requires pass protection, which hasn't been great against the better teams. Yes, some of that has been Dante's fault, but a lot of it has not. World's face mask penalty vs Wisconsin comes to mind... Right or wrong, my guess is that we're not throwing deep as often because of that

My thought when I saw him warm up but then Brock go into the game was that they were getting him ready but then realized Moore could go back in if needed so Brock would just fill the gap until Moore was ready. But then Moore never went back in...maybe because we scored again and they decided he didn't need to.

Only championship caliber teams...which is kind of the point. Preseason the narrative seemed to be that Novosad was pushing Moore and really competing for the QB1 role. If that was truly the case I would expect him to be able to step in and potentially win a big game against a top opponent. The new narrative is that Brock earned the playing time at practice. So does that mean that Novosad isn't really the QB1-b that we assumed he was? Or is that not the full story and there is more going on? I personally think it's the latter.

Brock has been a fun story, and he’s done what has been asked of him. I’m rooting for him. That said, I do have concerns if he’s the legit #2 option and OBD ends up needing him to come in and win a game against a top-tier opponent. I fully believe that he’s moved ahead of Moga. But it’s more difficult for me to believe that he’s truly a better option than Novosad. Is Novosad not as good as we generally think? Or is this really about something else such as a potential medical redshirt or Dan not wanting scouting film on his next starter? Yes, Brock went 4/4 and led the team admirably yesterday, and in very poor conditions. But if I’m being honest I feel like they have to really back down the offense for Brock, and that circus-catch by Moore really should have been a pick. I tend to think that if OBD were behind, or playing a more dangerous team, we would see Novosad enter the game. I’m guessing we didn’t see him yesterday because Dan trusted that the defense would hold against an inept Wisconsin offense. I’d be curious to hear thoughts on this.

I heard an interesting rumor on this today. It's 2nd-hand but the supposed original source would be in good position to likely know such things: Moga isn't hurt or anything else - Brock has simply moved ahead of him on the depth chart. A bit unexpected, but if this is true, and the medical red shirt situation with Novosad is true, things make a lot more sense.

I always love your insights Mike. Zooming out a bit, as I would get lost following you into the weeds: To start the season most thought OBD would be rebuilding to some extent, with so many starters gone. Dominant wins over subpar opponents began to turn that tide, as the first weeks of the season looked so different than last year. The win at PSU solidified that narrative for most, as it appeared to confirm that OBD were for real. Then PSU stumbles, and OBD loses at home... IMO we're simply back where we expected to be. OBD are loaded with talent but need to grow and come together as a team. They still have the potential to be great, but still need to become who they are going to be. The loss can help that if leveraged correctly. I'm still excited about this team. Just as I was preseason. Let's not let the quick expectation inflation/deflation ruin that. Go Ducks!

Yeah, you never truly know how the rest of the game would have played out if you could go back in time and change one of those decisions. The FG that was missed was by no means a gimme, but the 4th down yardage needed was much longer, I believe. I generally like Dan's aggressiveness. But the one I noted above felt like too much for me. PSU hadn't been able to do anything offensively at that point. The FG was a chip-shot, and would have made it a 2-score game. I was all about taking the points there. Good thing I'm not making the calls. And the thing we'll never know in the moment is how good they feel about a particular play in a particular situation that gives them the added confidence to go. That run by Davison was blocked perfectly and made it look easy.

Saw this on reddit and thought I should share:

I vocalized my frustration when Dan didn't opt to take the FG on 4th and 2 while up 7 and with our defense thus far playing lights out. I imagined Charles yelling at his screen "TAKE THE D@%$# POINTS!" Then when Davison walked into the endzone I of course had to jokingly tell my family I was just kidding... Anyway, @Charles Fischer I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on this and if it changes your mindset at all. I would have taken the 3 points, but in hindsight that might have very well cost OBD the game...

Gary continues to get very little recognition, yet he has a TD in every game thus far, and he turned into the go-to receiver during crunch time and caught everything thrown his way. Dude is legit. It's becoming apparent that the two frosh RBs have the faith of the coaches, and they continue to deliver. Defense mostly looked great tonight. Great win!