Fair Weather Duck

Starting time was likely a factor, but it can't be the only one IMO. Our play was better with backups for the past three games. To me that means the team is somehow limited, but once a backup enters, winning becomes the entire focus. To my eye it looks like the receivers get open more and catch more, the line suddenly creates running lanes and the offense is suddenly playing closer to an intensity foreshadowed by their reputation. I had thought that it was play calling, but I didn't see that this game. Overall the backup being the catalyst isn't sustainable. They still need to figure this out and right the ship. After all not every game will start at 8pm.

I know few are happy with offensive output right now, myself included, but there were actually some good highlights in this game. Let's share them. What was your favorite play? No negative remarks in this thread please. There are plenty of other threads for that. My favorite play was Jordon Davison (No. 0) vs Jahsear Whittington (No. 1) 4th-and-1 at the 6-yard line, 43 seconds remaining. The score: Nebraska 14, Oregon 9. Out of the Wildcat formation, Oregon running back Davison (0) took the direct snap but encountered Nebraska’s massive defensive tackle, Whittington (1). Whittington had the size. Davison attacked with power and technique: lower pads and strength conquered sheer mass. Davison crashed into Whittington and knocked the bigger defender backward. They needed one and got two. That set up fourth and goal which led to the final go ahead touchdown.

That would explain a lot. Definitely worth rewatching the games to look for that. I wonder if someone stole and sold Oregons playbook.

Limited to those two: that our offense is bad. What actually surprises me is that our offense seemed limited for three quarters two games in a row, and then improved.

--Nebraska wins: --Score: 24-23 -- turnovers created by Oregon: 3 --sacks of the opponent by Oregon: 4 --How many passing yards by Oregon: 225 Does a huge turn around require more than just one week? Is Nebraska at 5-1 a legitimate contender? If the answer to either is yes, then it's easy to pick Nebraska.

That's my vote too. I was at that game and still cheered for the team when the outcome was obvious. I yelled "Go Ducks, Go Defense" and the crowd around me literally laughed.

--Which team wins: Oregon --Score: 31-30 --How many turnovers created by Oregon? 3 --How many sacks of the opponent by Oregon? 5 --How many passing yards by Oregon? 250

We haven't seen Raiola vs a defense that actually game planned for him. I liked what he showed, but he still has a lot to prove after just one game. The flip side: we probably haven't seen what happens when he practices with the starters. This will be interesting and I'm looking forward to the next game.

Yeah. Three channels for one game was ridiculous. That said, maybe this will help someone in the future: I eventually figured out how to continue watching. I went to the ESPN app, clicked watch and logged in "with my provider".

I agree that the turn over of both coordinators is a challenge, but on the positive side there's continuity. Hopefully they'll have a Tim Tebow moment and rally.

One beautiful aspect of sports is that our teams don't always win. Just like life. It gives us a chance to reflect and grow. We are not bad people because OBD lost to Indiana, nor were we inherently better when we zeroed Texas Tech. Life simply goes on. With that said, I'd love it if there were zero opportunities for reflection next year. Go Ducks!

My username says it all. Seriously though. I always thought this was something of a rebuilding year. The team outperformed my expectations by getting into the playoffs. I happy we made it this far. Doubly true considering the coordinators were preoccupied with their new teams and the long list of injuries. That doesn't mean there aren't questions to be asked and improvements to be made. What would it take for OBD to stay healthy through a playoff run? OBD has lost to two games in two years where they seemed out of their league vs Ohio State and Indiana. What are the commonalities there? Do people perceive DL as Penn St. did James Franklin --a great coach who can't quite win the big games? Why are we constantly lead by portal quarterbacks? What happens to the high schoolers we draft, do we improve our own? Do the transfers continue to improve once they arrive? Are the other teams more motivated (I vote yes to this one)? It looks to me like Oregon is 97% of the way there, but that last 3% is the toughest.

They've been targeting 21's receiver a lot. That seems like something the defense will discover and adjust for.

That's exactly what I was going to say.

Notre Dame: Boycotting a bowl game reduces player exposure and should hurt recruiting. I would certainly be reluctant to send a kid there. Perhaps they're worried about being exposed like FSU was in their bowl game after being left out of natty contention.