22 hours ago22 hr No. On Offense:-I'm excited to see Evan Stewart back healthy along with a healthy DAK. Injuries have sunk our last two playoff runs and entire defenses should have to game plan around one of these guys, but both along with McClellan? This could be Oregon's best group of receivers top to bottom ever!-OLine cohesiveness. I don't expect perfection against a talented Bronco team, but I don't want to see a repeat of 2 years ago.On Defense:-Inside Linebacker Instincts. Our ILB strengths have been speed and pass coverage. We will have a new defensive "QB's" this year. Our defensive line should occupy everyone up front to keep the ILB's clean. How well can they "sniff out" plays? Do they have the natural instincts to carry us deep into the playoffs?-3rd down. Can we get off the field? Madsen is a veteran QB, so this will be a solid Game 1 test for our defense.-Safeties. I think we're all looking forward to the debut of Koi Perich, but how about Carl Williams IV coming over from Baylor along with 5-star phenoms Trey McNutt (injured last year) and Jett Washington? Will they make immediate impacts this year?Special Teams:-Making field goals. Please let us have a solid kicker this year!!-Punt Returner 1. Who gets the gig? I hold my breath on every punt catch. This player has the most trusted hands on the team.
21 hours ago21 hr Moderator No. I want to get a read on how physical our defense will play this year, and whether the O line gives DM an opportunity to throw downfield from the pocket. Then, find out early who is QB2.
20 hours ago20 hr Administrator No. Mike...you checked all the boxes I had, although I would also love to see Freshman RB Brandon Smith play and show us what we have been hearing about!Well, him and another freshman in Gatlin Bair!Yeah, BABY! Mr. OBD
20 hours ago20 hr No. Positions I'm watching like a hawk: RT and Nickel.Coaching- looking for aggressive play calling of intermediate and deep passes by the OC and stunts and pressures (of the unsimulated variety) by the DC.Definitely looking for OL effectiveness creating running lanes for RBs and pass protection for Dante.Everything else should go swimmingly, well except possibly special teams as you mentioned. That is our biggest lack of returning production. If our kicker can't make kicks, if our punts only go 30 yards and our returners fumble, then this whole special season is going to be messed up by special teams.I will be interested in seeing the backups and freshmen to get an idea of who is already playing above the line football. Edited 19 hours ago19 hr by Solar
19 hours ago19 hr No. How Dante responds with pressure. Has the game slowed for him? How well does he see the D and his checks. Basically all mental. How has he grown with a year of starting and another off season.
19 hours ago19 hr No. The only questions I have is about the O line and its depth and the FG kicker(s). It will be great to see Evan Stewart back.Also Im looking for a complete stomping of the Bronco's!
19 hours ago19 hr No. I'm excited about Evan Stewart(Last year's injury was such a disappointment), and really looking forward to seeing how Poncho and the boys hold down the Fort.
18 hours ago18 hr Moderator No. 1 hour ago, Charles Fischer said:I would also love to see Freshman RB Brandon Smith play and show us what we have been hearing about!1 hour ago, Charles Fischer said:him and another freshman in Gatlin Bair! Could not agree more!And I’m also excited to see special teams—both offense and defense—because it should give us a proxy for how deep the bench is and how disciplined the team is.
17 hours ago17 hr No. Quick passes if O Line is not there yet. Killed us against Indiana...2xD scheme that creates more pressure and sacks. Georgia D in 2021 that bent not broke scheme had 700 1st round picks on it...we may have our share now, but bringing that scheme with him can DL be elite again (Kirby's scheme?) or can he let Hampton adjust a bit?
17 hours ago17 hr No. 1 minute ago, JDuck said:Quick passes if O Line is not there yet. Killed us against Indiana...2xD scheme that creates more pressure and sacks. Georgia D in 2021 that bent not broke scheme had 700 1st round picks on it...we may have our share now, but bringing that scheme with him can DL be elite again (Kirby's scheme?) or can he let Hampton adjust a bit?I think 48-8, with a trend of only losing to Champs is pretty elite in its own right. Just a matter of time now. I think Hampton will have some control, its got to align with Lannings vision, for sure. Hampton is a big reason Oregon has the juice to win the whole thing this year. Been with Lanning from the start.7 returning starters, 8 if you include Koi. 2 deep playing above the line winning football. We will see, but that has been the narrative.
17 hours ago17 hr Moderator No. 2 hours ago, Charles Fischer said:Mike...you checked all the boxes I had, although I would also love to see Freshman RB Brandon Smith play and show us what we have been hearing about!Well, him and another freshman in Gatlin Bair!Yeah, BABY!I'm hoping Gaitlin is on a mission after a mission and that opposing DBs will have to assume the position. 😁
16 hours ago16 hr No. I want to see us get to the qb. Playing a containment strategy is very risky with a 5th year qb.
15 hours ago15 hr No. Offensive tackles and inside linebackers are where my focus will be. Hoping to see smooth sideline operations with new Coordinators. Dante's growth in reading and reacting to defensive shifts.I am comfortably calm despite losing Lupoi and Stein.
13 hours ago13 hr No. How our new offensive and defensive coordinators call, and adjust, to the game.Go Ducks!
6 hours ago6 hr Moderator No. Will Matayo Uiagalelei dominate this season? He had six sacks last year, but 10.5 in 2024. Which Freshman shows his greatness early and gets Duck fans excited for the future?Will Drew Mehringer’s play calling be an upgrade from Stein or is he still the guy he was a Rutgers (15 PPG).Is Huyrich trustworthy or do we have another Alejamden Maldolewis on our hands?
5 hours ago5 hr No. The anticipation to kickoff is over the top. Let's play some football......Getting the defense off the field on 3rd and long is my top concern. Last season opposing teams were getting the ball out quick. Exploiting Duck linebackers in space and soft coverage. Our opponents just let the play unfold. Too often they converted 3rd and 8, 3rd and 11, even 3rd down and twenty. Would like to see that tightened up.How many times did the QB connect on a short pass, to a wide open player just a milla secont before being sacked by a Duck fire eater? Tighten the coverage and sack totals will rise. Nothing like a violent sack on 3rd and long.......It is going to be a great season for the Ducks and their fans......Go Ducks!
2 hours ago2 hr Moderator No. Great posts everybody. Man am I fired up! My top three things I'm looking for.Third down stops. Get 'em off the field ASAPOL domination. No more early season guessing games.OC/ DC game plans. I want to believe that they are who we hope they are.
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