HappyToBeADuck

JJ thanks for the info and your witty thoughts and remarks. It is frustrating that the bias against rhe BIG and OBD's is rearing its ugly head with the committee, talking heads and pollsters. However, and most won't like my take on this, OBD's has not helped themselves on some big stages. The massacre at the hands of Georgia. Does anybody on the Forum think SEC fans and honks have forgotten this game? OBD's shite the bed against tOSU in the quarterfinals and against IU this year. And they havent annihilated teams they should have, like Whisky. Performance builds perception and those poor performances leave an impression that lasts. ODB's don't measure up to how tOSU and IU have destroyed most of their BIG opponents. Remember I said most! There is no room for another loss. None! As much as we love our Ducks, that love is not receprocated anywhere else. The Ducks control their own destiny. Go Ducks.........

The Trojans showed alot of grit and determination in the 2nd half against the Hawkeyes. Their D pitched a shutout and their offense did just enough to put points on the board to pull out a come from behind victory. I feel the Trojan offense was hindered by the weather. Just like our Duck O was restricted against Whisky and the Hawkeyes. OBD's utilized their powerful ground attack to win those games. It appears the game Saturday may have inclement weather. USC does not have a powerful ground attack, they score thru the air. Hope it pours rain and is windy. USC's defense does not match up well to stop the Ducks rush attack. Besides, if the weather is okay, USC has to go up against the best Duck Defense to take the field in along time. The order of the week is to rest, heal up and then remind this talented Trojan team how they are not welcome at Autzen. And support why they wanted to get in a different conference away from Oregon. Go Ducks......Take care of business these last 2 games.....

I was not surprised by the Ducks winning the game at home. Covering the spread against a team that has no fight on the road was no surprise, either. My surprises: A non raining Duck football game! Who knew........ Taking the opening kickoff and driving down the field to score. It has been awhile! Sadiq and Johnson getting 12 catches for 153 yards. Some of those were big catches on 3rd down for 1st downs. Where has that been most of this year? Benson and McClellan stepping up to get open and make some great catches. With Moore and Bryant out those wanting to prove themselves capable, did just that. And for the secong game in a row, DM is actively reading the D and calling successful audibles. These are areas that needed improving by the Ducks! And the results show that improvement. It does not bode well for the Trojans that the Ducks are improving and have an extra day to heal, plan and practice. Go Ducks. For this Duck fan beating the Trojans and then the bastard leg-lifters is the cherry on top......

Ducks win 38-3 3 Turnovers 3 Sacks 215 passing yards Go Ducks

Sir Charles thank you for accumulating these revealing numbers. If this team can discipline themselves and complete drives that end up in points then the defense will do the job needed to win out and beyond..... Bring the DOMERS to Eugene for a first round playoff game. Hopefully the BIG will tone down the bias and put a leasch on the refs. Saturday's crew needs a 1 game suspension. Now is the time for more improvement and statement games. GO DUCKS!

David, great assessment of OBD's BIG situation. It does not matter what the broadcasting mouth pieces, BIG beat writers, podcasters and fans think of OBD's physicality! I don't think our conference foes feel that way, however, if they do then it is their mistake. On both sides of the ball, with IU the exceptiom, OBD's have dominated our BIG opponents. Numerous Duck mistakes and timely and costly penalties have kept the scores lower. Against Whisky a foolish Matayo hold kept 7 off the board on the fake punt TD. And DL with 2 minutes to go and the ball at or inside the Whisky 10 yard line chose to take a knee to run out the clock. Final score could have easily been 35-7. IU, tOSU, USC and every SEC team would have run up the score We all just witnessed the points OBD's left off the board against Iowa. David what matters to me about perception is the CFP perception. Does playing physical, in back to back rain and wind storms matter? Or is it blow out wins? It seems we must play to a certain level of their expectations. Does this ESPN, store bought committee feel if OBD's don't win by 21 points or more that they underpormed and now are undervalued? Does the person on the committee who is responsible for watching the Duck game just report another lackluster performance by the Duck O? That is what matters. DL and the Ducks will take care of 95% of the BIG opponents. We cannot do anything about the CFP candles in the wind commmittee members. At this point, this Duck fan does not feel welcome in the BIG. Espdcially when we beat tOSU, UM and PSU. UPSTART INTERLOPERS! But i am not in this for a friendship ring. This fan supports OBD's for wins and titles and Natty rings. GO Ducks! It's whack a gopher time. Bring the A+ game, settle the issue by halftime and give the #3's more playing time.

Aside from tOSU, OBD's can beat anyone. Anyone! This teams has grit, a power running game, top five oline and a rock solid defense. And quality depth! I put the Buckeyes in a different level. Texas was a train wreck when they played the Buckeyes. Other than that tOSU has dominated In the CFP either bracket wont matter because we will need to play IU or tOSU along the way. A great chance to avenge our only 2 losses in 23 games. Best of all our coaches are coaching better. Some may not notice but DL and his staff out coached Whisky and the Hawkeyes. If you rewatch the games you can see the offense running basic plays to see how the opponents D reacts. Then later on out of the same formation the O ran counters or mis-direction plays for chunk plays. Some may not understand that those early plays that only got a yard or 2, set up other successful plays later. Nothing is done by chance, it's done by design as part of a chess match. It is no coincedence that when Iowa subbed their starting edge plays with 2 freshman that WS attacked the edges. This happened in the last 2 minutes of the first half. Those 3 points were critical. Those same 2 freshman played 5 plays in the 3rd quarter and the Duck O moved down the field. After those 5 plays those 2 did not play again. When DM ran for 46 yards, It was one of those basic play formations. Knowing how Iowa would react allowed the TE Johnson to seal the DE. The safety and linebackers quessed wrong. And DM ran untouched. OBDF members, to this old Duck thats coaching. On the D side of the ball the Duck D keeps getting better. Holding Iowa to 2.7 yards per rush. Well below their average. Look at how many times the Duck D has given the Duck O the ball at mid-field or better. Sadly the O got nothing from that. If that result changes then the Ducks will pile on the points in the final 3 games. FYI: In the last 3 quarters the Hawkeyes had 5 offensive possessions. Let that sink in. If the Ducks play clean and the refs are neutral then this team can accomplish great things. Go Ducks

WW is right, pacing is a better description. Any body who has watched the Ducks play or swim the games against NW, IU, PSU, Whisky and Iowa knows there was no sandbagging. With 7 games left until we hoist the trophy it has been great that many players have been able to play and give the srarters a break. Best of all, look how great the #2's and some #3"s played in a big rime game. Is,that sandbagging?

As a high school QB back in the mid to late 1960's I can share that wind, rain, freezing rain and snow always affected our offense. Our league played a friday night triple header, with game 3 kicking off at 9:30 or 10:00 pm. Tempertures in the second half a bone chilling 19 degrees and falling. You play a very conservative type of game and depended on our defense to get us great field position. We won games 3-0 and lost 3-0. The very same offense that scored 40 plus in September games. The last 2 Ducks games fell in the miserable conditions category. Ole Miss, Alabama, A&M and Georgia's offenses would not light up the scoreboard in those conditions. Let me share this point of view from a QB and coaches perspective. If I had lost a starting O lineman, a future NFL tight end, a future NFL Wide Receiver and then had another Wide out go down during the game, well i would expect the offense to struggle. We would move to smash mouth football, grind it out and let special teams and the D make some plays. Special teams got a safety and the D got a critical turnover at the Duck 11 yard line. The O rushed for 267 yards! It is a team game and the team came thru. If I went down as a starter my backup couldn't read or write, nor could he lace up his cleats. Just think back 2 weeks ago, 3rd play of 2nd half; DM goes down and a walk-on steps up and wins the game. Next man up is alive and well with this team. But consider that with adverse weather and back-ups the offense would face adversity. Scoring would be less. I recognize that the offense is not in sync or riring on all cylinders. I admit I got giddy on the monstrous wins over MS, OSU and Beavus. They dont have defenses that can match up Defenses in the BIG are better ( except Rutgers) IU, Whisky and Iowa defenses call play smash mouth football. They matched up and played hard. The scores showed that. Hang in OBDF members, this Duck team fights and has no quit in them. I would want them to have my back in an alley fight. This was a rewarding win and our QB, in his 16th start engineered a game winning drive in 1:51. WOW! FYI the Hawkeyes QB started his 63rd game, with 2 Natty wins under his belt. What was his excuse for only 16 points? Icthink it was the Duck D. Go Ducks.......

This is 2 rock fight BIG 10 game victories that OBD's have played in with heavy rain and wind. Todays game threw in some freezing rain for good measure. Proud of the team, especially the next man up. That just shows talented 2nd and 3rd team players ready to play and perform. This offense leaves points on the table and hopefully they can clean that up. The Defense keeps giving the Duck O great field position and would like to see the O put points on top. This was truly a BIG 10 November slugfest and OBD' did not flinch like the leg-lifters. The Duck O and Dante executed a less than 2 minute drive to WIN! Kiss the nearest tush Herbie, the Game Day loudmouth and Iowa beat writers. OBDF membera, since joining the conference the Ducks are 21-2. With losses to tOSU and IU, what more do we have to prove that we belong in the BIG? Go Ducks.....beat the gophers!

It is so painful to root for usuck! Gosh they are such an entitled fan base. My dislike for the spoiled ones is only surpassed by the total disdain for the leg-lifters. Needless to say the espn owned clowns on the committee showed that thry have no respect for OBD's and certainly use a different set of metrics to measure by per conference. So for SOS for OBD's both those POS scools need to win until thry face the Ducks.....

Great comments and thoughts in this tbread today.. Great article to ponder for sure. I think that the egos are big enough at LSU, Florida and PSU that they will offer Urban, Saban and Lanning beyond ridiculous numbers to be their head coach. Doesn't matter that all 3 say no publicly they will get offered. Franklin should have been hired by a number of programs to get a jump start on recruiting for next season It just doesnt feel like the pool is filled with candidates. No matter who takes the Beavers job now, it is just a step up from the Big Sky. The Montana State coach comes from North Dakota State coaching tree. He makes sense for the Beavers and so does Ojeron. PS: No matter the offers than do come to DL I feel PK will match it or add more Nike stock. DL has OBD's on track for a Natty,and he knows it. Maybe next year because the freshman, RS freshman and RS sophmores on the 2025 squad are freaks and cutting their teeth.

Darren, thanks for the article! The coaching merry-go-round is just a few weeks away from kicking into high gear. I agree that WS will get offers. UCLA would be a good landing spot because the school itself has low expectations, the program had no plsce to go but up and their 35 fans don't care. Will needs a $10 to $15 million NIL committment from the Bruins. He has great talent to work with at Oregon because of NIL. It' played a role in his success. Going from UW to UCLA would be a step down for JF. If he leaves it most likely woild be to Florida or LSU. He is a quality coach that can build a winner and proved his teams will defend their home turf. Not a great deal of high qiality coaches to choose from. Only a few schools have the deep pockets to pull a top level coach away from their current spot. This Duck fan refuses to look past the Iowa game. Not because I don't believe OBD's can win the game! Because they can win it......... I just don't know what Duck team will show up. Other than the Rutgers game the Ducks have struggled offensively in conference play to put up points. Iowa is the best defense they will play so far. Points will be scarce and hard to come by. Play clean, no turnovers and coach punt the ball, if necessary. Give the Haekeyes along field. The Hawkeyes don't wilt against top 10 teams. And they defend their home turf very well. The Duck D will win this game! Iowa's offense will try to run but the Duck D can stack the box. As long as the Duck ends hold the edge then IOWA has to pass. They have no deep threats. They are excellent at sending the TE on a loop behind the linebackers for 7 yard gains. Or quick slants to WR. Stop those safety net plays and the Duck D could pitch a shut out. The Hawkeye DC, Herbie and the Hawkeye beat writers have given OBD's ample bulletin board material for motivation. Go Ducks, prove them wrong.

Ducks win 17-7 1 - TO 1 - Sack 152 Passing yards Go Ducks........

Correction to my previous comment. If A&M lost to Texas then they would only have one loss, not 2 losses. On an added scenario, Michigan controls their own destiny. If they win out and beat tOSU then depending on tie breakers, they could be in the BIG title game. If they don't make the title game consider that a 10-2 Wolverine squad, with a win over tOSU could overtake a 10-2 Duck squad? Just another reason for OBD's to win out and finish 11-1....

Alex, i feel that anything can happen in college football in November and nothing is more important than OBD's winning out. The Ducks may need double digit wins to change how the committee views them...... Many scenarios can and will play out to determine and shape the final 12 rankings. But its best the Ducks win out. This weekend the Ducks need BYU to beat TT, barring being leap frogged, OBD's move up to 8th. Then we need BYU to win out and win their title game. OBD's do not need an AQ out of the BIG 12 to take up a coveted spot. If Texas and Oklahoma win out then they will jump our Ducks. In this scenario, A&M, Bama and Georgia will have 2 losses. Chances are they will not fall below a 10-2 Duck team. Again, it is best to win out. If those 3 teams win out then Texas and Oklahoma are not a factor. Most likely Ole Miss wins out because their heaviest lifting is behind them. Normal ACC chaos in November should leave them with just 1 spot as long as GT doesn' upset Georgia. These are just a few scenarios and IMHO the Ducks need to play much better, win out and stay out and above the CHAOS! Go Ducks. As Alex said one game at a time. Step up, play with your hair on fire and handle business against tge Hawkeyes...

I have very little confidence we make the CFP at 10-2. The path for OBD's to the CFP is at 11-1. The committee showed to much love for the SEC and the BIG 12. They lost conference games to and amongst themselves and that didn't seem to hurt them that much Of course, its college football and chaos can happen. A BYU win over Texas Tech will help OBD's. If Texas beats both Georgia and A&M they will jump the Ducks. Chances,are a 10-2 Bama, Ole Miss and Georgia would land ahead of a 10-2 Duck squad. The CFP placed OBD's where they belong and left the door wide open for them to win out and get a first round road trip.. With a little chaos we could get a home game. The PSU game has turned out to be a nothing burger at this point. OBD's played one game of value against IU at home, performed poorly and lost. We best win out! No rose covered lenz will mask this week schedule. GO Ducks, lots of games to be played!

Winning out will take care of most everything for OBD's. They control their own destiny A hard fought victory on the road against tbe Hawkeyes will enhance the perception for the Ducks. I expext the BIG 12 to get a lot of love inspite an overall lack of quality wins, other than those against themselves. No matter the circus that ESPN has turned Tuesday nights in November into, well OBD's need to win at Iowa. Its step 1 of 4 play in games for DL and his team........no matter what the mouthpieces say. Go Ducks.......

David, thank you for your thoughts and feelings on OBD's move to the BIG. The PAC was truly unpredictable and at times crazy. However, this old Duck fan does not miss after dark in the desert! That trip was more than a speed bump for the Ducks. With one loss in most seasons the Ducks would not be ranked #6. Pollsters are showing the Ducks respect because they earned it on the field in the BIG. They beat Michigan in the BIG house, split with tOSU, beat PSU twice and are in a conference with the $1 and #2 teams in the nation. RESPECT! Last year tOSU and OBD's were #1 and #2 for most of the season. And the conference has won the last 2 Natty's and may get a threepeat this season. When was the last PAC team to win a Natty? Just usuck...... I will take that narrative over the fun and crazy of the PAC anytime. As you do, I find myself checking scores and flipping channels to watch parts of the many SEC games of the century every week. Very few BIG game match ups are compelling. I think GAT is correct, it will take some time and we will develope rivalries. Can't wait for a rematch with IU or tOSU. My biggest complaint is the travel miles. It is disproportionate for West Coast teams. First of all, the west teams should play each other every season to cut out 1 Saturday of time zone change. And rotate one season with 2 trips east then the next season with 3 east trips or add one or 2 teams out west. More BIG teams need to travel west. Looking closely to see how well OBD's play down the stretch and into the CFP. This Ducks do multiple trips Back east during football season and, at least for me, jet lag recovery is real. Go Ducks! Lets make some new rivalries with Iowa and Minnesota...

Charles, i think that the passing numbers are slightly skewered now that we reside in the BIG. Other than tOSU (clearly headed for back to back natty's), Indiana and SC the BIG doesnt have the QB play like the PAC-12 did. All around it feels like a power running conference. I still feel if WS had been patient and stuck to the inside power run game against IU, well the outcome may have been different! DL and WS asked DM too do what IU would not allow! They kept everything in front of them. And they got home to DM with the front 4 and one blitzer. 6 or 7 drives chewing up 5 to 7 minutes does not allow your opponent much time to score points. Besides you don't have to pass to beat OBD's. The D gives up the middle runs and when our edge players give up the edge, well you bounce outside. Add in that you pass at your own peril when you challenge the Ducks secondary. When we play the Buckeyes in the Natty that narrative may change. The Buckeyes can pass protect and stretch the field...... Let's hope OBD's win out and gets on the Indiana side of the bracket. We owe them a payback game.And while I respect Cignetti, OBD's need to wipe that cocky, smug smirk off his face. Hang on to the nearest rail OBDF members the next 8 games could be an amazing roller coaster ride. One game at a time, let's handle the Hawkeyes or none of this may matter. Their DC really thinks OBD's are just NIL storebought. Let's show him what a power run game is all about! Go Ducks......

Solar, i agree with you and Sir Charles, would love to see a few 50/50 balls from around mid-field IMHO there may be a few reasons that we aren't seeing this: Pass Protection: As BBMichaels pointed out the pass protection hasn't been there. While our tackles are road graders in the run game, they are not rock walls on pass protection. When you allow sacks against a 4 man rush that means the numbers on the back end arent in your favor. A free roaming safety can break up or intercept the ball. Dante: Dante may not be at the top of his game at reading the defensive schemes and formations, yet! He has the arm strength and accuracy but that type of play needs single coverage with no safety over the top. Can or does Dante recognize this or has DL and WS given him the green light. If you go back and watch the games from 22-24, both Bo and Dillion had the team lined up with 25 or more seconds on play clock. They looked over the D formation and called an audible. If the D changed their formation they had enough time to audible again. Bo and Dillion had game experience to do this. At this point, Dante may not have enough game experience. He will get there. Remember, Bo struggled at Auburn in his learning curve. Conference Opponents: Points have been difficult to come by in conference play. Rutgers being the exception. Plays are at a premium and this offence cannot waste any. OBD's running game is strong. It eats clock and puts points on the board. If DL and WS had been more patient and kept rinning the ball against the Hoosiers, the out come may have been different! When we passed to catch up or forced the pass, well Dante got picked twice in the fourth quarter. OBD's lost a game they could have won. Go Ducks......

Don, thanks for that deeper look st the Hawkeyes 2025 squad. I firmly agree that they will give the Ducks all that they can handle...... While there is no comparison in the talent and depth level between the two teams, the Hoosiers gave the Hawkeyes the game plan/blueprint to pressure and confuse Dante. They also have a defensive unit that can carry it out. We shall see if WS can game plan some a suprises for the Hawkeyes........ A fast start by OBD's offense would put Iowa behind the 8 ball, however the Ducks start slow against any defense that has a pulse.Offensively, Iowa should not be able to overpower the Ducks D unit. Reaching 20 points should be a challenge for the Hawkeyes. Can the Ducks score 21points? I think they can and will....... Before the season started, a number of Forum members felt Iowa could be a potential 2nd loss on the schedule. They might or they might not! Either way this game should be another rock fight in the rain similar to the Whisky game. If OBD's play clean the Ducks win 21-16. If not? Go Ducks

Each season is it's own entity and identity. Different skill sets of players, depth on the squad, different levels of experience for the coaching staff and injuries. No 2 seasons are alike, no 2 sets of circumstances are alike from year to year. Cignetti has decades of coaching experience. Dan Lanning is still cutting his teeth! He has had great mentors and is building his pedigree. Will Stein has great play calls but does not make in game adjust at times. Dante does not have 61 or 62 starts, he has less than 20. This teams tackles cannot pass block. When the routes come open Dante is already scrambling or sacked. If IU wins the title, then good for them! OBD's will win the title eventually. Maybe even this season. However, opportunity and preparedness must meet at the same place and time. For example, until last seasons format change, tOSU would not have even made the CFP. Ryan Day would have been fired after the Michigan loss. But the Buckeyes were prepared to meet the opportunity that presented itself! I am just hoping we win out to have an opportunity this season. Go Ducks....

Panic? It is a fair question to ask..... After 8 games, the Ducks are doing a number of things correct and improving in most areas. As a fan, they are fun to watch, then difficult and painful to watch! At times the Duck O is unstoppable. Then the O cant get a first down. Hard to understand....... The D can be dominant, however they let teams run the ball and dont tackle low. Opponents have near perfect score ratio in the red zone. Sadiq and Dak Moore have almost disappeared because the O line gives up too many sacs. Dante needs time for routes to open up. It is not rocket science. The line needs to pass protect as well as they run block. Fix that and OBD's puts up 40 plus points. No need to panic......this Duck fan just lowered my expectations for video game numbers. GO Ducks......

Charles, at this point, an increase in scoring average and a decrease in points allowed is plenty of reasons for excitement. We have left first downs and points on the board this season. Even last Saturday DL left points off tbe board. 2 minutes left in game, ball on 11 after interception and penalty and we take a knee. Day, Cignetti and other coaches would have punched it in and run up the score. I expect our scoring average to go down the last 4 games. Weather will play a factor, maybe! 3 of the four teams we play have defenses. Only usc plays sandlot or street ball. As long as the defense keeps improving we could see a 7-6 game against the Hawkeyes. The last four games are playoff play in games and they could be decided by the defense. I do not have the high expectation for this team that i had before the Indiana game. This version of OBD's is still a work in progress. Not criticism just you dont know what version will show up If they play like they did against Whisky then they will win out and maybe get a CFP home game. A 13.4 per game scoring average travels well and translates to wins if the offense plays clean and runs the ball down our opponents throats. GO DUCKS.....