Haywarduck

In 2019 we beat Stanford before the bye week. The game after the bye week was....Cal who we beat. We have the same situation this year, interestingly, but it has come and will come with different outcomes. In 2019 Stanford game a win 21-6, 2021 a loss 24-31 In 2019 Cal game a win 17-7 and in 2021 Oregon will win 28-17, but I don't feel good about this one. 1 turnover created 2 sacks 170 yds passing, unless the youth comes in then all bets are off. It is amazing the both games in 2019 were played in the same location Stanford at the farm and the Cal game at Autzen. History does repeat, but seldom the exact facts. Moorhead will be the difference this time, but who knows about what role the players will play?

In 2019 we beat Stanford before the bye week. The game after the bye week was....Cal who we beat. We have the same situation this year, interestingly, but it has come and will come with different outcomes. In 2019 Stanford game a win 21-6, 2021 a loss 24-31 In 2019 Cal game a win 17-7 and in 2021 Oregon will win 28-17, but I don't feel good about this one. It is amazing the both games in 2019 were played in the same location Stanford at the farm and the Cal game at Autzen. History does repeat, but seldom the exact facts. Moorhead will be the difference this time, but who knows about what role the players will play?

Maybe

I would say it will also take our opponents playing unimaginative defense like tosu did. Defenses are figuring out our offense under AB, and unless our offense become more dynamic we won't get to the playoffs or succeed if we stumble in. The key is getting better through the season. Those who make the playoffs play well at the end of the season. Can Oregon play well through to the end? We haven't prove we can up to this point. The time is now, or maybe next season, but we need to change how we attack games and the season.

The money grab begins, not sure Marshawn Lynch's marketing group, Beast Mode Marketing Agency (BMMA), is going to be where the most money is made, but it is a start. I watched a little of the 30/30 ESPN special on Marcus Dupree, and the people who handled him through his early years. BMMA may be a big help to Flowe, but I wouldn't count on it. The classroom and the programs opportunities are going to be where he should focus his attention. Handlers, and those who want to hang on to a talented kid like Flowe may want to be ignored.

Too funny, all I saw was the uniforms changing. You were fairly specific with your post, but then the uniform bias came into play and the news about the uniforms clinched it for me. Your post was all about the uniforms, funny how bias comes into play. What you see is what you think you should see!

It may be time, but Mario's watch is on a different time zone, his year may be off too. Seriously Mario just isn't ready to let a young guy lead until we absolutely have to, which may happen. It think it will be time when AB gets injured. I hope this doesn't happen, but if we continue to see AB lead the team in run attempts he won't last the full season. It may be tomorrow or the next game, but somebody is going to take him down a notch. Teams are starting to expect AB to keep the ball and there are only so many hits a qb can take, he has already been seriously injured twice. Sadly the season won't end well for AB if the trend we see keeps going. The other trigger will be a continued struggle with the passing game. If AB struggles, maybe has a few interceptions even, Moorhead and Cristobal will be forced to put in one of the young guns. I could even see them putting in Butterfield to lead a stronger passing attack. Without Verdell we are going to need a stronger passing game and a more rounded attack. Basically, the clock is turning to back-up time on many of the fans watches. The watch which counts doesn't see it that way, but there are some triggers which may turn the clock to where so many fans see it, but I hope not. AB can still be the man, we just have to evolve into the team we can be under Anthony.

Great one, as long as the fans are complaining about the uniforms, all is good. Us complaining means the fans across the country will be talking about the uniforms, and young kids everywhere will be in awe!

What any success going forward is going to take is for Oregon to take care of it's business, and not worry about the other teams or games. With that in mind what is most important is each player is put in a position to succeed. AB needs to be put into a better position to succeed if he is to continue as our qb. Having him run more than the RB's isn't sustainable, nor is the passing game so far. It is time to see our RB's get their opportunities. Dye is lightening in a bottle, but we have to use the skill set he provides. I think Trey and Byron are also excellent backs who need to see the right plays called, along with the O-line in concert with each other. Basically we are going to need a very good running game, which isn't led by our qb. The next item is AB's passing. He is going to need to make a couple longer throws to open up the defense. If he can do this then his strength, the short pass will be a weapon he can lean on. If he continues to struggle with the longer pass then I think the offense under AB will continue to struggle. Defenses, going forward are going to let the long ball be open, and dare AB to throw. So the long pass is key to seeing success with AB, and it is possible. We just need Moorhead at his best! I think we all know who our coach is by now, a risk averse individual who loves to see individual battles won. I just hope he is able to put each coach and player in a position to succeed. Individuals excelling, and each individual becoming a team while being led by shrewd coaching is what it is going to take. It can happen, but it needs to start tomorrow night!

After Miami hired Dennis Erickson away from WSU, the next WSU coach, Mike Price, seemed like the sure bet to cure Alabama's woeful problems. I think the Price story made teams check their coaches a little better. Of course there was George O'Leary's 5 day stop. One should never lie on your resume, oh well. O'Leary might have been a good fit for ND, but he only lasted 5 days. Agree sc history of hiring and firing coaches isn't going to help convince a coach sc is the best job in the country. I do remember our search for a new head basketball coach. We went into it thinking we were going to hire some big name. We ended up with a mid major coach and it turned out pretty good. Maybe sc will get off it's high horse and find a decent coach, nah that just isn't going to happen!

I was at a game where they gave you a tiny yellow or green flashlight, if I remember correctly, now that was cool. It was like a rock concert, with flashlights, but with Oregon colors.

It is amazing when you see a coach leave an amazing job, for his next dream job, and even more money and fail completely. What is it that drives some to their level of incompetence, so blindly? It certainly can't be the money, as many of us know, there is only so much you need, and then it becomes a distraction. It must be a huge blindspot for what is important in life. Happiness and engagement are more important than just having the biggest drum to pound on. You really only end up with something useless and looking stupid.

"But I don't think Bohn will screw this hire up? And I am fairly certain he will not be making the decision on his own? Too much is at stake." Do you mean a collaborative committee where group think rules, there is hope! Agree the law of averages just might be in sc's favor, but not history.

In his first AD job he took Idaho from winning about 60% of their games to winning about 20% under Tom Cable, his hire. He then went to SDSU who had been winning about 60% of its games to hiring Chuck Long who brought them down to winning under 20%. His last stop before sc was Cincinnati where he fell into hiring an Ohio native who won't be leaving Ohio anytime soon. He takes over at sc for a coach who was averaging winning about 60% of his games, unless he hires somebody who just wants the job, and falls into the spot, expect sc to go to winning about 20% of their games, if history is any indicator. Mike Bohn is exactly who we need to hire the next coach at sc, if we want to continue to rob the recruits from down there.

I still don't get it, Jack Del Rio has expressed interest in the past, as recently as 2019, and fits the bill. If I was the AD I would go after Del Rio like no other, full court pressure. You have a guy who is exactly what worked last time, an ex-nfl coach who failed, but is a good coach. Not only does he fit the mold of Pete Carrol, he is an sc legend. I suppose the one thing we can count on with the sc job is for the AD to make a poor choice. The AD in place has a history doing exactly that, and I fully expect him to pick another loser out of the candidates who apply.

I think it comes down to the lens with which Mario sees the game of football. Does Mario see the game as a gladiator or a chess player? Mario definitely sees the game of football as a gladiator fight. When the ball is hiked he wants it to be 'Mano-a-mano' as you stated. Lets see who is tougher and wins in the end, that fills him up. The problem is the game of football has moved beyond the gladiator phase and it is now a chess game. The next move is based on the previous, setting up the next. It isn't just let's keep punching until the other gives up. Even the game of chess has evolved into what is called 'blitz chess,' or speed chess. Few want to watch a chess game, but speed chess make it more enjoyable, much like football. No one wants to watch everyone line up, the other team knows what the gladiator is going to do and then it is Mano-a-mano, that game isn't marketable, nor sustainable in a competitive environment. No one waits for the other to get set and think about all the options and then wait for the other to be ready. The game of chess has even evolved, time for Mario to evolve. He can keep his gladiator helmet on and enjoy the battle, but he needs to see the chess game happening on the field!

My best case scenario was a loss at tosu, and then we build through the season. I think the win against tosu has been a tough one to live up too. We had to lose a game and may lose again. The good news is it isn't over and we can build out of this. The building starts this Friday and we need to see a good foundation laid with the defense and offense moving on up. From there who knows, maybe your prediction just might happen, crazier thing have happened!

The best case scenario is our young qb's are developing nicely and will see the field plenty the rest of the season. We need them to be ready for next fall, and the gauntlet that awaits. It just might be close between them and Mario is masterfully keeping them all happy and in line. The best case scenario is AB is actually a pretty good passer, he just hasn't been let loose, yet. He has made a couple throws and maybe he just needs to get turned loose this Friday night. The best case scenario is the defense does hinge on Thibs lining up and playing. Right now this defense, especially the line needs an anchor to allow the rest of the talent to have an edge. This young defense just needs a little more time and a continual dose of Thibs to become what we saw for one quarter against FSU. The best case scenario is Mario is beginning to want to turn our new weapons loose on offense. The RB's are going to have to play, Trey and Byron are going to get the rock more. The young receivers are gonna get more throws. The TE's are ready to explode in production! How many people would have believed Camden Lewis would have the stats he does. Mario believed in the guy, supported the guy and we have a kicking game! Maybe, just maybe we just have to believe in the best case scenario, instead going down that rabbit hole of yah but. I know I have been there and am trying to get out, Go Ducks! Are there any other best case scenarios we should consider?

As a team which runs the ball 60% of the time, I don't see Dye as an every down back. It seems Cristobal has stated he kind of lets the back with the hot hand run with it. I will be interested to see what the rotation is, in the Cal game. We will definitely see some differences in the rotation, what will it be? Seven was taking reps from Dye when he came in. Cardwell would seem to be the guy to take CJ's reps. Right now Cardwell is getting a couple yds less per carry. I could see Trey getting some of the reps too. We should be seeing the future of the Oregon running game. That should provide a little interest for the game. The problem is see is Cal's rushing defense is ranked 38th, while Stanfords is rated 123rd, might be a tough go.

I don't think you are a fair weather fan, we have just been trained to expect innovation, excitement and now we have Cristoball. On top of that it seems like a bait and switch, which never goes over well. If we were told we would see a bigger team and less scoring we would expect this. We were told to expect a stronger team and the same type of output. Now if the outcome really suffers, then the bait and switch may not be acceptable to anyone, from fan to players.

When you are use to something, are told it will be even better, and then it isn't, this is what happens.

I love Leavitt, all I will say about that one. The guy can flat out coach, and you don't have to recruit at sc, just don't turn them off. I mean if Helton can bring in the talent then you don't need a Cristobal, you need a coach.

Interesting take on the sack total. Is the defensive line infected with a lack of risk taking too. Is the mantra contain and try not to make mistakes on the d-line too. All I know is an offense is completely different when it hurries up, watch the NFL. The same can be said about rushing the passer. When a qb is rushed he makes mistakes. These two areas are troubling when you look at the longterm outcomes for the Ducks. Maybe it is just the injuries and our qb's are too young. Maybe it will all change soon, but maybe it is systemic.

Statistics are used to influence those who read them, almost always. It takes getting into them to really draw any conclusions. Oregon's opponents, without tosu, are 8-14, this includes a pretty good FSU. Comparing our output to the teams we played isn't a great way to look at our statistics. Also we are averaging 2 sacks a game against these opponents, the leaders are closer to 4, big gap. Our passing attempts are at 40%, running attempts are at 60%. I would imagine our qb run attempts close to leading the nation. Turnovers are a fickle thing, worries me we may end up giving up more turnovers and that will have a huge impact going forward. This team can't score well without the turnovers. Seems like it almost puts us in the hurry up offense mode when we get a turnover. We catch the defense on their heals, which we don't do well otherwise. This may also be why our scoring in the red zone is up. Home game statistics are against two teams a combined 1-9, the other FSU at 4-2. Some great news on the player front. I hope these individuals can lead this team to it's potential. The problem I see is there is a bit of sunshine in the statistics where dark clouds might be looming.

I am starting to think there is something to the dumbing down of our qb's. Herbert wasn't coached up, told not to run, and wasn't the qb we see now. AB seems to be told the opposite, don't pass and run more than the rb's. The main item for Cristobal is to minimize risk, he hates risk. This is what is driving Oregon fans nuts, we are innovators who love to see risk, and the ultimate is the explosion play, not Cristobals thing. Is this why we haven't seen Thornton, I mean he not only caught a pass, he ran recklessly all the way to the end zone, I kid, but maybe not. What we see is a program which led the nation in turnover margin and is now 2nd in the nation. Our last really good season 2019 we were 5th in the nation. This is Cristobals focus on the qb, don't make mistakes, and the team. With Herbert, go ahead and sling it, our receivers can't even catch your balls, and his turnover margin was very good. With a freshman qb, there is too much potential for mistakes for Cristobal. So going forward the Ducks are very predictable, if we win the turnover battle we win. If we don't get those turnovers then we struggle. This is the same with many teams, but especially a team without an offense which can be counted to move the ball on 3rd down, or score points. Just look at the FSU game, we dominated the 1st quarter with 2 turnovers, then we struggled and mightily when AB fumbled. The defense and especially the offense needs turnovers to get stops and to score. Against FSU the two touchdowns early were all set up by the short field turnovers. Against Stanford we lost the turnover battle, and the game. Against Cal and the coming opponents they have the same potential, we lose if we lose the turnover battle. Without an offense that can score on its own we are a program which relies on the turnover, and that isn't a healthy diet.