Haywarduck

Good stuff, actually Miami is paying for football this season.

Interesting topic and we are getting into areas where opinions are strong and, thankfully, shared freely. I know for a long time I was of the opinion Nic Alliotti wasn't a great coach. Through reading and pondering over facts presented I came around to appreciating Nic much more. When subjects like this begin to be discussed I encourage all of us to ponder what is presented with an open mind. Checks the facts and ruminate over what is presented. Who knows you just might change your opinion, or at least shift it a bit, something quite novel in this day and age. Thankfully something which is promoted and protected on Fishduck.

In 1992 the limit was brought down to 85 from 95 scholarships. I believe it was 1978 it was brought down from 105 to 95. Interesting subject as Title IX in 1972 is what brought the scholarship limits even into existence. Before the 105 limit, a player only had to be enrolled to play and there was no limit on scholarships. Back in the day, some schools had over 150 'students' on scholarship for football. When Brooks came along the scholarship limits impact had pretty much played out. He recruited from the impressive Valley River Center's Restaurant with a pretty view of the Willamette River. I doubt the facilities tours ever mentioned the meetings were held in the hallways of Autzen. Somehow Brooks brought in talent, developed talent, and out coached most coaches.

I suppose it comes down to you can learn to be a better coach and build a program, or you can chase the big dollars. The magic of Oregon's coaching carrousel is we take losers, and those who have little or no experience and make them winners. Other programs chase the winners with money and expect them to have magic. In other words our program is magic, and other programs are just looking to find the magic. What is the magic, we support a coach like few programs out there. The facilities are second to none, and the expectations aren't as unreal as many programs. Also you can recruit to Oregon, just get them on campus, and have an exciting product on the field, pretty simple really. This explains the continual process of failure when our coaches lose after leaving. They choose the money instead of being supported and learning. Once a coach reaches the point, and really anybody, where they think they know it all, they are headed for failure. Bellotti never thought he new it all, just got burnt out. The rest, especially Chip, thought they new it all, and fell for the money. I will agree to disagree on Helfrich, he didn't have it, and chose not to develop it, and still lacks the drive to learn to be a great head coach. I would also disagree that Phil Knight is the magic. We built Rich Brooks into a winner his last 10 years with the support and allowing him to grow. He had little or no support from Phil Knight, and went 67-60 his last ten years as head coach. PK has been huge for Oregon, but there is more to our success than just what he brought to the program.

I suppose the real question is could Oregon win a playoff game. There is no reason for Oregon to go to the playoff if they are going to pull a dawg trick and lose. If Oregon keeps building and wins out then we would have a fighting chance to win a playoff game. That means everyone stays healthy, and the coaching staff continues to call great games. We would also need the ball to start bouncing our way on occasion, especially in a playoff game. So it comes down to taking care of what is in front of us, and not worrying about what others do. I would be extremely happy with a Rose Bowl win and looking like we should have been in the playoff. The last thing I want is to make it to the playoff and get whacked. I could see us playing Michigan or PSU in the Rose Bowl and that would be a great first bowl game for Lanning. Our first game wasn't the best way to start Lanning career. I doubt a playoff game would be the best way to end his first year either. I would love to see Oregon finish strong, and whatever the outcome bowl wise would be fine.

Watched it three times and it only got better.

We rate 115th out of 130 teams, not good. Throw the outlier outlier out and we still rank about 60th. The other item is the trend isn't our friend 35 yds on up to 135 yds. I want to see the trend heading in the other direction and stay heading in that direction. This was an area I wanted to see us as a top 20 program. I think it can impact a tight game when a team doesn't have the control it needs. In order for this team to keep winning this trend will have to change.

I think we have also seen Lanning change the shout on the sidelines to focus for the 4th qtr. I look for Lanning and staff to turn boast on the field to be ready for the next play. I will say it is harder to turn up the volume on effort and engagement. He has the effort and engagement on the field, he just needs to keep directing it in the way he wants it directed. He has the outcome and the buy-in from the players and the fans. I look forward to the next iteration on Saturday. Winning on the road in Pullman and Tucson would be heady stuff for a first time head coach, but I think he can do it.

I don't like not knowing what the next play Oregon is going to run next. I dream of the previous staff's predictability, said no one!

If you had told me a couple months ago we would be where we are today, and the team is showing too much enthusiasm, lacked a bit of discipline, I would say ok, great. We haven't reached where we want the Lanning Program to be, but we can see it from here! I would say the foundation is in and the walls are going up. There is still a long way to go, but I am extremely happy with how it looks. With the last few coaches the foundation and the walls had quite a few inspectors red flagging what they saw, a little construction talk.

Agree, but so far this Lanning team seems to be turning the corner on the outcomes our program expects. The games going forward, this weekend included, will be just tests to see if the early results are sustainable. Great question about the undisciplined play. Can that be corrected before it costs us a game or too may key players going into tough games. A lack of institutional control can bite you in many ways. I have been calling out Bo's lack of ability to throw the long ball for a while. That needs to improve, along with a little more conservative running, but he seems to have these traits as basic instincts. Fortunately we have some speedsters, and a long ball interception is much like a punt. I just think if things stay the same or improve, as Lanning preaches each week, the future is bright, but it won't be easy.

The only thing Lanning has to prove going forward is he doesn't let the team have a let down game get away. He then has to keep winning on the road, and keep getting the team up for the big games. The Arizona game is historically a game where Oregon could let down, and it will be interesting to see how Lanning has his players ready to play. I look for Nix to provide the senior leadership needed to stay focused on a road game where we are expected to win. I see Nix giving us a win by 30.

Completely agree with this analysis. I am glad the coaches seem to only be blowing the garbage time for Ty. The play calling for the rest of the game is pretty good and the adjustment there are working. At least they are getting him on the field, but it seems they aren't doing him any favors with the play calling. Maybe going forward we will see the play calling for Ty improve. My bet is his play will too. I hope we see Ty get some field time at an away game against Arizona, and a better set of plays to call.

After three large tests, and a pretty favorable schedule going forward how does everyone feel about the Oregon Duck Football Program? I am extremely impressed with what is happening on the field and off. After an expected struggle in Georgia the team has risen up and won a couple big games. Establishing an ability to win on the road in the fashion they did at WSU is huge. Showing there is still magic at Autzen with a win against BYU is also important. Both the coaches and players seem to be meeting or exceeding pretty high expectations. We don't have a position coach who has let us down, as it seemed to happen in our recent past. We also have players performing at or above previous levels. Recruiting because of this should continue to be very strong. We have some tough games going forward, but those are at Autzen. The beav game may set up to be a tough away game, but their lack of depth it shouldn't be too formidable of a game. All we really need to do is be careful about the unexpected speed bump. The WSU game seem to show this program can rise up, so I feel good going toward the Championship game. I don't mean to get too far ahead of ourselves, but with Arizona this Saturday, it seems appropriate for at least the fans to do just that. These are some small items for the Lanning Program to tighten up, but so far Lanning continues his honeymoon period for me, you?

I will agree some things change over time. How one dresses, the uniforms are way different. The training these guys do is completely different from the old practices and workouts. One thing that should never change is how one acts. The same principles of how you treat anyone holds true today, yesterday and tomorrow.

I think Dan Lanning is learning on the job with this issue, it is surprising though. His first move seems to be stopping the end of 3rd quarter dancing. I look for the next step to be a little more, or a lot tighter set of expectations. This is a new program and the culture he is setting will be hard to pull back if he doesn't set it right soon. The ending of celebration after the 3rd quarter is a good start. Agree, simply telling the players to look like they have been there, done that before, is a talk which needs to happen, now or sooner. Love the winning, but he is setting the stage for these young men to be part of a civilized society. Oregon Football Players should elevate a room they enter, not trip on their way in. He does them no favor by allowing this behavior.

Last thing I will write on this subject, but it does seem like many can't empathize with process Ty is going through. Maybe we should all reflect on when we started our careers or our latest job? Were you top of your game right out of law school? Did all the years of medical school enable you to have all the answers, or were there even more than you realized? Did your latest job seem simple at first, only to realize how many things were involved? I see that way too often in the real world not to say something. Somebody who has made it, or maybe had it given to them not appreciating the guy doing a great job cleaning around the airport. They just zoom by and maybe complain if something isn't just right. I like seeing critical analysis on players and coaches. I point out things I see as weaknesses, and where there could be improvement. What I don't like is any name calling or labeling of these student athletes or coaches trying to do their best for our program. So have a take, but maybe reflect on just how hard these people are working at their craft. They are probably their worst critic, and don't need to read, or hear about some fan attacking them in any way. And call me out when I do it, because I know I am a crazy fan too.

DJU at Clemson threw 9 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season. It was hard to see the talent the kid had, and it was easy to criticize. Fortunately, what was also hard to see was his resilience. He is showing his talent this season. It isn't easy to make the move to leading a massive program. We have coaches who know qb talent and they see something in Ty. I hope he has the same resilience, and I bet he has more skill than we have seen. I will point out Nix still shows a huge gap in being able to throw the long ball, with accuracy. We see all he is doing well, and the wins. He deserves our support, and I would say Ty does too. I have no problem with the criticism, but let's not give up on him. We may wish we have Ty next season if he leaves. If we have to start a true freshman he could have the same season as DJU did. I applaud the coaches for getting Ty in and giving him experience. It isn't always pretty, but, as they say, that is how the sausage is made.

I still love Robby, did anyone catch his tackle on the defender who took away the ball from one of his receivers yesterday. Probably one of the better open field tackles I have seen this year. Guy got up with turf embedded into his facemask. I thought he played well too, those are the growing pains of the first year. I also give Ty plenty of license to learn and grow. Coming in at the end of the game isn't easy. I think Ty can be a very good qb. My bet is if Ty has to come in and play the team will rally around him. For now we aren't seeing the full extent of what he can do. From the past I remember many of our back-ups, who became very good, not looking all-world right away. Dennis Dixon wasn't that great until his senior season. I get the criticism, as I have been critical of Bo, but we should also keep in mind they are Ducks, student athletes, and doing their best.

Two refs watching one of the greatest catches of the year, two feet were down and they blew it. Thank goodness for replay. Makes one wonder if they only put on their glasses when they watch the replay? These guys aren't going to get moved up in the referee world.

The only difference is at USC, if you pay enough, you can get in as a varsity athlete.

There isn't, and wasn't a hurricane in Miami, but I imagine there is one brewing within the alumni. I, again, am interested to see how our previous coach reacts to the negative feedback he will soon be getting. This coaches stay as head coach may be shorter than slicks. MariØ just doesn't respond well to negative feedback.

The reason the students started calling themselves the robber barons, and the faculty shut it down is because of their history. One of the most notorious robber barons was Leland Stanford. The Stanford history isn't all beautiful redwood trees and pretty red colors. As far as students worrying about their grade and flunking chemistry, it doesn't happen. There is no 'F' at Stanford, fact. The average grade point at 'The Color' is 3.55, up from 2.48 in 1917. Back then the endowment was much lower, you figure it out. Ok I will help, the $56k tuition is just the beginning of the commitment for most of the families of those wanting to have their child become a little tree. I do want the team to show up because they need to see vengence up close and personal. All 60 of their fans can show up too, because they need to see how football should be played. Now if any of those refs from last year show their faces, we should run them up into the National Forest, and all the way up to the Cedar Creek Fire, where they can, well you get the idea. Ok, now where is my coffee, I'm feeling a little grumpy!

It would have been a move away from our obsession with offense, and promoting OC's and given Alliotti the respect he deserved. Maybe too many in power positions we like me back then, lacking an appreciation for Nic brought to the program. Another interesting thought is he might have been ready to retire about now. Maybe we would have brought in Lanning, and we would be with the same coach, but completely different history. Nick deserved the shot at head coach, and the student athletes loved him and respected him. He had all the connections with recruiting and coaching to have made it work.

Last year I was pushing him to get on the top 30 watch list for the Lou Garza award. He then fizzled out, along with the rest of the team, as the season came to an end. Hopefully he can continue to make all his extra points, field goals, and even some long ones.