Haywarduck

I like what you said about percentages, and risks, two things which need to be taken in consideration. Agree completely, youth look at those two items completely differently. One of the life lesson I taught my boys, and they have survived their teen years mostly intact, is when somebody says 'watch this' get away, get out of the car, and run as fast as possible. I almost expect to be able to lip read Lanning and Dilly saying these two most dangerous words a young person can hear before each play mentioned, 'watch this!' I get it some pretty cool things happen when people do stupid things. It can be inspiring, funny, and memorable, but it doesn't need to happen on the football field with our Ducks. We all hope we don't read about one of those college football player moments, off the field, when someone says watch this. Unfortunately we are seeing a few on the field, by our coaches. It is time to consider the percentages a bit more, and evaluate the risks reward equation like a seasoned veteran coach would. There is no reason the team can't have fun, not the issue. As smart as Lanning is I see this happening soon, I just hope it happens soon enough.

Agree and then have him toss a ball to a guy who needs to work on ball handling, really? I am a big fan of Dante, but he should only be given a ball as he is creating separation from the defense, until he fixes his ball handling difficulties. One of the jobs of the coaches is to put players in position to succeed. Neither player was put in a position to succeed. Maybe if Ty had kept the ball and ran it, a good hit tends to help warm up a qb. I think Ty could put the hurt on a DB, and that may be just what he needs. Who knows what he needs, but that hasn't been tried yet.

Agree it was an ugly win, but we did learn a few things, hopefully. Number one, Thornton is a lethal weapon, who needs to work on his hands this offseason. The guy gets separation extremely easily, but I am still waiting for him to cleanly catch a ball. His juggling catches could actually be lethal with some sure handedness. He also needs to work on how he carries the ball, fumbles kill momentum, and he is a fumble waiting to happen. We also learned that trick plays are like magic. I should say trick plays should be like magic. Magic leaves you wondering how they made that happen. You want more, and with the most recent magic trick we have realized the limits of our magician. I hope Dan also realizes his limits. We don't need another bad magic act. We also learned late season rankings mean something, and early season rankings not so much. When you play a #3 Georgia, they could actually be a #1 juggernaut. Also when you play a #12 BYU you might just be playing a team which barely beats Utah Tech at home later in the season. This weekend we play a team who deserved to be ranked all season, at home. We had better take them seriously, they deserve to be ranked even higher, and want to be. Lastly we learned our cool, cold blooded, brilliant coach can show some fire. Seeing Lanning fire up our defense is something I was happy to see. In the future I want to see more of that fire, and less of the magic act. At least work on the act a bit more before bringing it out to show the crowd, and at a better time, timing is everything.

No words

Why does the Pac-12 continue to allow themselves to be at a disadvantage by sticking by our 9 game conference schedule? If we really want to create change we should go to a 7 game conference schedule and see how the SEC reacts. Bottomline we should stop complaining about something we aren't doing anything about. Maybe bring New Mexico State into the Pac with the understanding all they can do is play Pac teams. Now that would throw a wrench into the SEC scheduling.

I hope all the bad luck is gone for Cam. He could have a decent NFL career. The TE position is incredibly important in the NFL and he has that talent level. I will always remember a few plays from Cam. The catch against tosu, and that tackle last night. I hope he has another great moment against the beavs coming up. Such a exceptional person, deserves anything he achieves going forward.

One has to believe Ty practiced that play dozens of times. I just wonder how come game time he just can't get it right? Repeatedly Ty runs a play Nix would have pulled off seamlessly. Ty as a Duck is baffling. That play call for a guy who really hasn't had one play work well this season was definitely a head scratcher.

Exactly what I thought I saw. When the defense came to the sideline during a timeout Tosh could barely get a word in. Lanning was in every defensive players earhole. Dan is a great head coach. He seems to be able to delegate, and step to the side when things are working out. I don't think he interjects too much in the offensive play calling. On the defensive side of the ball, he was all over the game last night.

Agree, just a senior message, and his intention all along has been to leave after this season. As a running qb, the CFL may be his best choice, if the NFL doesn't work out.

Once again, great writing David. You make some great points about our offense, Nix and whoever lines up at qb for Oregon. The prevent offense is no more! Your last point about Utah changing their game plan was the most impactful. Last year we did no changing of the game plan, even after our first loss. This was just one more signal about how dull our previous coaching staff was. This year I look for both sides to have twists to take advantage of what the other side has brought in the past. The game planning might be the most important turn in the expected game many anticipate. We have seen the onside kick, what trick does Dan's team have for this game? Also the Utah staff is as shrewd as they come, what will their alteration be to their attack? This will be the game within the game I will be watching for.

No doubt we can say Justin > Ty, Justin > Bo, and on and on. My statement was on a start. These are completely different situations, Justin was brought in as the ship was taking on water, and expectations were low. Ty would be coming in to save a season, and playing the #10 ranked team. I just hope the expectations are realistic, if he gets the start. Asking Ty to lead us to a win is a big task first game. I would also say this is a big task for Lanning and his coaches. Whittingham and his D-coordinator, who has been there 15 years, have to be salivating at taking on a rookie qb, and a young coaching staff. Big task for the whole team, top to bottom.

A couple things, one Ty cares, I can guarantee you that. Many saw Marcus as having too little emotion. We have had quite a few qb's who weren't the more vocal leaders, but they won. I remember hearing about Marcus and Justin being the guy in practice. These guys came out and proved they had it when they started. I will bet Ty won't be Bo, and we need to be ok with that. If Ty wins this game it undoubtedly will be a rollercoaster ride of a game. Remember Justin's first start, he threw 2 td's and 1 pic, lost 70-21, but he looked the part, to most fans. Lastly if Ty does impress, there will be no qb controversy, at all. This is Bo's team and his year. He needs to continued Oregon support to win out so he can get to New York for the Heisman awards. I also want Bo to lead us to a bowl win, he deserves both of these outcome. I see no scenario where fans call for Ty starting over Bo. That said if Ty plays well it will give most fans a huge sense of relief when thinking about next year. I would love to see a qb battle between Ty and Dante knowing at least one qb has played well in a big game. Right now most are wondering about the transfer portal as a solution to the unease with the qb position next year. I do look at this being more of a game like Justin was thrown into for his first game. This will be a huge test for Ty and the team. I hope Bo comes out under center, but if it is Ty we need to be realistic about what we expect.

I have a hard not liking the Utes. Lived in Utah for a while and the people and the state are top notch. Best of luck to the Utes, after Saturday night that is. Go Ducks!

Great point players and fans can be fatalistic, or step up and support the next man up. O-line needs to give him an extra second in the pocket. Receivers need to run even crisper routes and catch balls that may look too tough. The RB's need to both block and run even harder. Agree the defense will need to step up and move toward their potential. Every player needs to make a choice to put up the extra effort it will take to help a back-up lead the team and get a win. They can also choose to lose and take the easy excuse. I doubt this team will take the easy way out. The fans also need to get loud for the defense, and stay supportive of the guy just doing his best.

Right now I want what is best for Bo and the Ducks. We need him to help us win, out and he goes to NYC for the trophy show. If it is Ty then all the best, but Bo deserves to finish it out!

Short term a very good idea. Longterm probably not such a great idea if your dream is to be a successful head football coach. The problem here is it is a brilliant idea if you just want to go pick up a winning lottery ticket. We live in a society where the American dream seems to be to win the lottery. Hard work and putting in the time to be successful isn't seen as often as the highly publicized lottery winner. Whether it is the elite school dropout who takes their unprofitable company public, or just the coach who put up some great statistics, the big money is a large lure. Can Dilly stay focused on building his resume and ability or will he follow our previous two head coaches into the chase for the big bucks. I will also say there is nothing wrong with knowing where your ceiling is. Helfrich probably would have become one of the most elite OC's in the country, but chased after something he wasn't able to succeed at. Either way tough choice.

Wow, David that was a dizzying display of scenario juggling, thanks. These are the games which count, onward Coach Lanning!

I would say Deboer is the one who is close to extraordinary. Penix stats were 4 td's and 5 int's last year. Coaches matter, and I am extremely happy with ours. I also realize he is a young, first year coach. Agree he could lose a few more this season.

It is also easier to be accurate when you can stand there and not worry about being sacked. Agree there is also some luck, but at #128 out of 131 teams in passing defense, it isn't just luck as far as Oregon's defense against the pass. As far as your golf game I haven't experienced that phenomena very often. It is nice when it happens!

There is causation, and association when looking at statistics and really anything to support a point of view. I would say the cause of being 128th out of 131 programs in 3rd down defense can directly be tied into our passing defense. The cause of being ranked 128th in 3rd down defense is the 127th ranked passing yds per game defense. Basically if Nix faced our passing defense every week he would be a shoo-in for the Heisman! We are back to making the ordinary qb look extraordinary. The WSU qb tossed 50% more yds. than his season average. I would imagine every qb has exceeded his average against us. I don't like seeing this trend again. Almost, I said almost, as bad as seeing the prevent offense rear it's ugly head.

Our passing defense and passing yds. allowed we are ranked in the 100's. Passing yds. allowed per games we rank 127 out of 131 teams. If I was coaching that element of the defense I would have my resume typed up, ready to go maybe making a few calls to colleagues. Our rushing defense is rated #17, that isn't too bad. Not sure it is coaches, but there definitely seems to be one guy who is on a hot seat, if you rate performance. Agree this is another test of how Lanning handles his coaches longterm.

I have a feeling the Ducks learned teams don't lay down for you when you are a top 10 team, just the opposite. Washington came out on a mission to win, and got a few bounces, situations go their way. Utah will want to keep their streak alive against us, and we need to start a new one. We need to go into to next year with a positive streak at home! I hope the ASU rumors aren't too solid. The last thing I want is another coach distracted over his next job. Also I hate night games, but as long as they sell out, nothing we can do.

You learn more from losses than you do from wins. I look forward to seeing what was learned by the coaches and players. I think this team wasn't necessarily aware of the target a top 10 ranking puts on one's back. The dawgs came out ready to hand a loss on our Ducks and the Utes will too. I think it will be more important for the players to learn from this. The coaches questionable decisions won't take too much to adjust. That will be interesting as well, but Lanning has stated he wants to go for it and take risks. It just might be the fans who need to be ready for what they have been wanting for a few years.

I will say it one more time, that play was dead way before Noah slipped. That was MariØ haunting us from afar. Without that slip that collision would have been a dawg highlight. Also I'm wondering if Lanning really has much to do with the play calling on the offense? That was a masterful drive with burning the clock and keeping the dawgs guessing all the way until Nix ran it. One mistake, but then the wheels came off the decision making process. It looked like, to me, Dan was just letting Dilly call all the plays, even when Nix was right next to him ready to go in. Without an OC on the sideline those kind of decisions get missed. Photo attached shows Noah trying to stop before being drilled by the guy who ended up tackling him, came in untouched, and number 5 came around the other side unblocked, no where to go. The slip only stopped a massive collision.