Charles Fischer

Pretty tough! I can't imagine rooting for EITHER team!

We have NEVER had NIL to this degree before....pretty hard to know how some will react. Perhaps that is why he is talking a coach who works with professionals?

My Duck-Buddies, I have some observations after viewing the game a second time, but thought I would give you my conclusion right up front. This team is not like anything I pictured going into the season. With all the positions on the team--only running back is set and performing as we thought they would; all the others, especially on defense, are in flux and could progress into a nationally dominating team, or only progress nominally yet this season. We are nowhere close to what I envisioned us as being going into the season with a No. 2 ranking. Only the offensive line should be working out the starters, yet we have issues at nearly every other position on the team. We have the upside to progress into a top-5 team, but the probability of that occurring is less than I wish it was. This team has more questions than answers at this juncture, as we are at nearly the opposite of what I pictured us being at this stage. We are appropriately ranked at the moment, because we have so much in flux. (No. 15 in the nation) On defense, we have Brandon Finney Jr. at Nickel guarding the slot receiver--something he hasn't done before. We are starting Na' eem Offord at field corner, a crucial position for a player who has very little experience for us as a sophomore. Peyton Woodyard We are playing Alabama transfer Peyton Woodyard quite a bit at safety instead of Aaron Flowers as even Dan Lanning admits that too many mistakes have occurred at safety. That is even before we get to the issues that Minnesota transfer Koi Perich brought with him to our secondary. This group is in massive flux... At linebacker we see Dylan Williams playing quite a bit, as well as Nasir Wyatt, as both been very hit-and-miss for the Ducks. Sometimes they scrape into the run-fit perfectly, and other times they are out of position, and gives up a big gap. Like the defensive backs, the linebackers are still working out their challenges. Defensive line is underperforming--massively, IMHO. Players with this much experience should have more TFLs, and sacks than we do after four games. They are improving, but have a large upside to achieve to match their preseason hype. On offense, we have an offensive line that has improved, but is far below what we have had the last three years. Douglas Utu at left guard is a tremendous talent, as he is a big kid with very little experience. He was replaced for almost the entire second half by Kawika Rogers, who has also played very little for us in the past. The starter at right guard in first game, Michael Bennett from Yale, hardly saw the field at all on Saturday. Gernorris Wilson at right tackle has disappeared on a almost equal basis as well. Jamari Johnson We have a gifted TE in Jamari Johnson, but almost no depth. (Experienced depth that is) Wide Receivers would be ideal if Jerimiah McClellan was not hurt; but Messiah Hampton has filled in for the meantime as well as any true freshman could. Everyone knows the issues at quarterback, and who knows where that ends up? Placekicking and punting has been as consistent as we saw in fall practice; it is remarkable considering they are both completely new to Oregon--unlike most of the players at other positions. We are at team growing and evolving, and not at all what I pictured coming into this season. Right now we look like a nine-win team, but could improve into an 11 win team for the regular season, but that is a low probability result. We will need to see incremental improvement in each game if we are to challenge the Buckeyes in a little over a month from now. We should not be growing, but showing off our superiority with this team...but alas, this is not that kind of year after all. Dylan Riola I thought OC Drew Mehringer really gained us an advantage with the unbalanced and heavily loaded offensive lines at times, and you could argue that it was the difference in this very close game that was tied at 27-all with 12:41 left in the game. The Coordinators, like the players, are in flux, but more-so than we figured we would be at this point. It was good to see some blitzes and stunts from our DC, but the results after the first drive were underwhelming. This is a highly overrated team. If our passing attack moves up a few levels--we can become nationally relevant, but that will require our QBs to see the entire field, and do not automatically throw to the receiver in the flat as I saw both QBs do in this game again. It is tough to reconsider my analysis of the team, but what I saw before is what I believed we would see now. But my reappraised reality of where the team is playing at--is very sobering. It can still be done, but I will have to change my expectations based upon what I am currently seeing. Perhaps it will be much better in 3-4 games?

Both Go Down!

It is not often that I have an opinion that has such strong disagreement. Makes me glad we have the rules of not making it personal! If any of you have a topic to debate and discuss....start a thread! (Because I think you can do better than I) And....You Might Be Surprised!

Again...Riley is weak as a leader, and prone to go along with whatever the players are thinking. But Lanning would easily change that with him, and inspire him to do the right thing--as he would see everyone else operating in that correct "Lanning" way, too. It is a bye week, and I thought I'd throw a few topics out there to ponder--good to get a reaction!

Now hang on....let's play a game where we have a terrific season, and Drew Mehringer gets a HC job and Oregon has an opening for Offensive Coordinator. Meanwhile Lincoln Riley has to step down as the USC head coach...and he applies? To me, I've never actually thought he was morally evil, but simply a weak leader for the HC position. Yet like our own Mark Helfrich...he is a terrific OC and QB coach, although Riley has a ton of Heismans and a very, very well coached QB with the Trojans now. Riley strikes me as the ideal OC, not HC. With the way the Ducks recruit QBs and receivers--it would be a good match. And it would be fun to keep beating the Trojans with one of their former coaches? Too big a stretch for you? I was very impressed with the Trojan passing attack, and their QB. I would take him as an OC; would YOU?

I was struck at all the stats brought up after the game of how Lanning is 3-0 vs. USC, and Oregon has won 8 of the last 10 meetings, and how USC has not beaten Oregon in TEN YEARS? That is the kind of dominance that we Ol' Greybeard-age fans recall, only with the Trojans being on the good side of it. We have heard SO MANY times about the new coach, the new assistant, the new recruiting, etc. etc. etc., and yet in the end....OREGON is the West Coast Power. Do you think this last win might make the last straw fall for many the SoCal recruits who are on the fence? This benefit gained could be negated if we don't get things done vs. UCLA in ten days or so. But if we do--wouldn't this be a massive set of recruiting facts that could be the final factor for so many So-Cal recruits? Always on TOP...

I am not so sure about that. Dante is missing open receivers downfield that can extend drives, score points, and win games. We saw that against Indiana last year, against Boise State this year, as well as many, many times against Oklahoma State. As bad as the team played in Stillwater....if Dante hits just a few open receivers downfield in that game--we win. But again--I do not know if he is tunnel-visioned toward the receivers in the flat, or if the coaches are telling him to do this. But we have receivers breaking open downfield often when Dante is in the throwing motion to the flat-WR, and he is not being pressured in the pocket. Raiola's pocket presence is much better at this point, IMHO. In the end? This is a GREAT problem to have; two QBs who can play!

Riley has proven that he is a superb QB coach, and OC, but he is not HC material. He is the "Mark Helfrich" of USC...

He pointed out plays by Raiola that were not as successful, and I personally saw a number of receivers open downfield that he did not see and throw to. But he is looking downfield more than Dante Moore does, and as Max said...."this was an unbelievable performance coming in as a backup." I will be watching the game closely later this week, and will give some feedback. I will be looking very closely at the offensive line, as there is upside, but I do not know if that upside can materialize in time before our date in Columbus. How do you like the background photo of Jamari Johnson with a catch downfield?

A USC fan registered to join this forum, but not for the usual reasons I see from opposing fans. He wanted to apologize for what happened to Dante Moore, and wished for a full and speedy recovery for him. I wanted to give him credit, (Andrew Reed) and convey his great sportsmanship, but I am not opening the door for what could end up being a ton more moderating work. My thanks to him for his well-wishes, and it reminds us that not all fans are the same. At all schools you have terrible fans, and great ones. I thank him for his intent, and hopefully this can inspire more goodwill on both sides.

David, great article and I like how you brought up Raiola's pocket presence. He doesn't run to one sideline and cut off half the field. He steps up and does quick steps to the side while looking downfield. Love it!

As 3rd down ended....I was shouting at the TV...."Take the F---cking Points!" I'm glad he heard me....

-I’ll be laughing at his a$$ when he loses in the playoffs. -They’ve beat us for 10 years now. -If you think Lanning is insufferable you weren’t at the game. Oregon has the worst fans in CFP. -And THIS, is why I don’t care that Moore was separated from consciousness... -Guy is a classless chump. I cheered when they got their butts whipped in the playoffs last season. -The sad part is USC will be watching from home again. Amen!

-Lanning and Oregon haven’t won jack ***** in their history so he has NO room to talk about anyone! -He’s a big reason why I wasn’t too mad at Des for all that. Still hate seeing a player hurt… but screw whOregon. -Lanning is a classless punk...and his comments are borderline racist. -Says the man from Empty Trophy Case University. -Hey, he practiced what he preached. He kept his emotions and his team under control, won the game and earned right say whatever he wants. -Who cares what Lanning says? His $50M+ roster will be watching the CFP on the couch along with our $40M+ roster. The most talented roster in Oregon history is pretty mediocre.

Wow. -He can say em man. What is Lincoln going to do beat him? -Hahahaha and if you never want to win a natty go to Oregon. -I know that, he's a dick of a human being, but he's talking about him vs us. and it's completely true lol. -This guy is basically a Pacific Northwest redneck Kiffin. -F him. He has never won anything and will not win again this year. -Yeah, this is USC’s own doing. They put it on the table with the “who runs the west” and it turns out Oregon does. -Yeah, sad but true. He’s a despicable human being, but that doesn’t make him any less correct. -My point is that the coach who has an all-world roster that plays nowhere near their potential can talk all he wants, he's still got a team that is underachieving big time relative to their potential. -He's just like their fan base.

The reaction to this.... What you see in posts below is not only their reaction to Lanning, but the true nature of many Trojan fans...

Oregon Vs. UCLA Set For 12:30 PM On CBS EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon football team's Week 6 game against UCLA in Autzen Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, will kick off at 12:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on CBS, the Big Ten Conference announced on Monday morning. The No. 15 Ducks (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) are on a bye this week after opening conference play with a top-25 road win over USC this past Saturday. The No. 23 Bruins (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) are also off this week following a 54-3 win at Maryland. Single-game tickets and a five-game conference B1G plan are available at www.GoDucks.com/fbtix.

Statement from Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning on Quarterback Dante Moore: "Dante sustained a concussion in last night's game but fortunately his MRI and CT scans came back clean and he did not suffer any additional injuries. Every concussion is different and we are going to move forward with an abundance of caution to ensure we make the best decisions for Dante and his future. We are extremely appreciative of our entire medical staff and the medical staffs at USC and LA General County Hospital for their quick and thorough action in making sure Dante received the very best care possible.”

I have been experimenting with things at the suggestion of the web developer. The front page will remain the same as it is now, but inside threads it will go back to the way it was with solid white background with the black text on it, not bolded unless the OBD member posting adds the bolding. It may take a few days to get it all done, but it will happen soon.

Both those teams were not ranked by the coaches poll...but very, very close to making the Top 25. Too early yet, but our schedule could end up looking pretty strong by season's end. Oregon was No. 15 in both polls, and UCLA is now ranked at No. 23! A ton of ranked, or nearly ranked teams on our schedule thus far...

It is not just college football....it is the current culture we now live in...of what humanity has become. I thought having a "Safe" place to post would end up with ten-times the number of OBD members we currently have...and don't. Why? Because most people do NOT want to be polite to each other; they want to write what they want to write--when they want to write it. We have lost great members who would email me and tell them how much they loved the rationality of the forum. That is, until he/she broke a rule. Then I was supposed to ignore it, as the rules applied to everyone else, but not them! Even now...I have asked everyone UMPTEEEN times to please place caps in their titles.....to tell us in their title what the post is about? To please put vertical paragraph-like spacing after every three sentences so that everyone can read the posts easily. But most ignore me. And when I email them or phone them to please reciprocate the same courtesy that others extend to them...what do they do? They quit posting. I lose no matter what, so I end up correcting posts every single day...and never say anything to anyone because I am the bad guy when I do. All I want are titles and posts that are easy for everyone to understand and read. But they view the problem as "yours-truly," and not them, thus what I ask for is ignored. I even had to make corrections in this thread, so yeah....people are not as nice and courteous as they used to be. I know all about it.