I don't.

But I have had reservations about the scheme on defense since before Ohio State embarrassed OBD. But I think the offense isn't really that bad. I'll keep it short.

It looks like Lanning is concerned about pass coverage. The scheme is built to defend passing offenses. Here's the problem. A Four man front against six in the box neutralizes all that front 4 talent. In fact, sliding your ends inside as a strategy completely opens the edges up. That scheme is a major flaw. Also, I don't subscribe to 2 linebackers and two safeties as my solution to stopping running plays. And believe me, if I see this, you bet every elite coach wants to play Oregon right now.

On offense-Dante Moore plays favorites. He is not reading the field. Gaitlin Bair was open on a Mesh Rout concept and Moore threw to McClellan short (dropped pass that wouldn't have converted on third down anyway). Dante Moore has to be comfortable. He is not going to throw receivers open-he just doesn't want to. Of course I would diagram this and show tape-but nobody wants to look at OBD when we lose.

Once the season settles in I will show EXACTLY what I see. It is disturbing. The strategy Lanning wants to employ is simple to solve. Coaches are adjusting to some real sophisticated and evolutionary stuff in real time. College coaches are using NFL strategy. And they are killing it. I believe Kirby Smart may be heading the same way. He doesn't have a talent issue like Lanning has (sloppy DB coverage, ineffective OL play-which just might be coaching though).

Football is becoming very interesting. I see moves and counter moves Lanning is either ignoring, or he doesn't believe it effects his ability to win. That isn't the case at the elite level for sure. And believe me, there are plenty of coaches at the G6 level that grasp the evolution of the game. I will show you guys lots of things I've learned this summer.

The last thing I will say is this: the players don't seem to believe they are good enough. They are wilting in the face of teams that are hungry. The coaches are assuming things will evolve to the degree they don't have to adjust to the conditions on the ground. That is a HUGE mistake. They can't throw out all they schemed for this season, but they don't seem to realize teams know just about everything they will do. OBD are simply talented enough to win plays anyway most of the time.

Now remember-I'm just a hack. I have coached semi pro ball, and it was difficult to say the least. Especially since the players completely believed they could just show up and play totally unprepared. In my studies this summer, I found out why coaches approach the game as they do. That was interesting as well, It takes an extreme amount of dedication and flexibility to excel at this game.

Mike, I always enjoy your analysis as I only have 10% of your coaching knowledge if that. I will throw out another thought that might be sacrilege to some. I have read that our DUCKS are among the three best paid teams in college football. Is it possible that our players are not hungry? Have they already retired from the college game and are resting on their laurels and waiting for the draft? Best defense in college football? Not a chance.

1 hour ago, Mike West said:

On offense-Dante Moore plays favorites. He is not reading the field. Gaitlin Bair was open on a Mesh Rout concept and Moore threw to McClellan short (dropped pass that wouldn't have converted on third down anyway). Dante Moore has to be comfortable. He is not going to throw receivers open-he just doesn't want to. Of course I would diagram this and show tape-but nobody wants to look at OBD when we lose.

I think we have seen the extent of what Moore is capable of I hate to say. He doesn't read the field in real time.

He was rushing throws when the offensive line was giving him plenty of time and he was fleeing the pocket when he still had time.

He also held onto the ball too long and got sacked. Which I would say wasn't entirely his fault because the offensive line isn't great but most of those sacks looked like coverage sacks if I recall correctly... Which I might not as I watched the game on multiple devices and had to work pretty hard to keep watching the game.

This just looked like Moore at his worse last year and even last game. I haven't seen the growth I was expecting from him.

Nix and Gabriel were amazing at improv and reading the field in real time. Moore does not seem to do that.

Plenty of times over the last year we have all seen open receivers that have been missed by DM.

2 hours ago, Santa Rosa Duck said:

Mike, I always enjoy your analysis as I only have 10% of your coaching knowledge if that. I will throw out another thought that might be sacrilege to some. I have read that our DUCKS are among the three best paid teams in college football. Is it possible that our players are not hungry? Have they already retired from the college game and are resting on their laurels and waiting for the draft? Best defense in college football? Not a chance.

Didn't consider it. If that is the case, the coaches are in trouble. And why is that the case when the other two are killing it?

If I ran the team... edge players and offensive tackles would be my highest priority, in that order.

The 2019 team had Thibadeaux and Sewell, probably the two best at their positions in all of college football that year.

What we have this season at those positions - don't seem to be winning one on one battles very often.

Of course, scheme could be part of it. But I will let you break that one down as you are far better at it than me.

Why did Matayo go from dominating two seasons ago to mostly just locking up with O linemen this year?

I don't know but my best guess is that Oregon has gotten 'predictable' and opposing teams are exploiting the weaknesses in the schemes.

Ducks NIL payroll is 47 mil. Moore is getting 7.5 mil the four DL starters over 5 mil.

37 minutes ago, Cigarstar said:

Ducks NIL payroll is 47 mil. Moore is getting 7.5 mil the four DL starters over 5 mil.

If they dont improve that money could disappear soon.

Herbert, Nix and Gabrial ran for TDs and 1st downs. Dante is limited to passing and handing off - not a threat to scramble for TD or 1st downs.

2 minutes ago, ArkieDuck said:

Herbert, Nix and Gabrial ran for TDs and 1st downs. Dante is limited to passing and handing off - not a threat to scramble for TD or 1st downs.

The Dante hype and the Dante reality just don't match. "He could be the first player taken in the draft". But he also has a tunnel vision problem, and a lack of mobility problem and accuracy when pressured problem. OSU's QB was extending plays with his feet, connecting with targets on the run hurdling into the endzone like a Heisman favorite while taking a serious shot.

For all the hype this guy gets, who would you have preferred QB the team yesterday? Forget about him vs Herbert, Mariota or Nix. What about him vs Dennis Dixon, Akili Smith. Joey Harrington, Darren Thomas, Vernon Adams, Dillion Gabriel, Bill Musgrave, Chris Miller even Kellen Clemens or AJ Feeley? I think the Ducks pull out a win with any of them at QB. How can you both be a future top pick and yet not crack a recent top 15 at your school's position?

Routinely...Dante throws short when there were open receivers downfield. This alone keeps drives going, scores points, and wins games.

Sigh.

Mike,

Great post, great and astute observations.

My youngest son was at the game and was texting me his thoughts in real time. Michael played college ball as a corner back. He watches the game from an analytical perspective. Here are some of his comments throughout the game:

The team has no energy or pop. Not ready to plsy a full 60 minute game.

Dante is not hanging in the pocket long enough to hit receivers as they come open. Bailing to soon....

Not always going thru his progressions. Forcing the ball to his favorite receiver. Gatin wide oprn for an easy first down and instead throws into double team coverage.

OSU defense knows the plays before the O snaps the ball.

The Duck D scheme is being exploited by OSU. Its very predictable.

Some players are taking plays off. Not sure why?

This game is hard to watch.

In fairness, Dad, it is brutally hot and humid. Probably 125 to 135 degrees on the field. No way to prepare for it.

I know this game was difficult to watch for us Duck fans. Something hss to change on defense. Let's hope DL and staff figure it out. Even great players cannot excel in a weak scheme.

Let's go Ducks.

4 minutes ago, Charles Fischer said:

Routinely...Dante throws short when there were open receivers downfield. This alone keeps drives going, scores points, and wins games.

Sigh.

Could he have a Jaison Williams type of vision problem?

I'm no football mastermind and I appreciate those of you who share your knowledge, but it's quite obvious to me that what we are facing now is a real coaching challenge. Portland State is a cupcake. But after that, like in two weeks, we will be able to better evaluate the calibre of our coaching staff. Do they have what it takes to get the team up off the mat for that USC game and then put them in a position to get into the playoffs? They owe it to every player they placed on their roster as well as to Duck fans.

12 minutes ago, HappyToBeADuck said:

Dante is not hanging in the pocket long enough to hit receivers as they come open. Bailing to soon....

Not always going thru his progressions. Forcing the ball to his favorite receiver. Gatin wide oprn for an easy first down and instead throws into double team coverage.

On the part about Dante not going through his progressions and forcing the ball to a favorite receiver instead of taking the open guy, sometimes I wonder if the NFL gets into these guys’ heads a little. Especially when they know NFL reps are there watching.

Maybe there’s some pressure to force big plays or get certain guys their numbers instead of just taking what the defense gives them.

Probably a wild theory, but these are young guys and they all want to make it to the next level.

2 minutes ago, ArkieDuck said:

Herbert, Nix and Gabrial ran for TDs and 1st downs. Dante is limited to passing and handing off - not a threat to scramble for TD or 1st downs.

On top of that he doesn't see open receivers on too many plays.

29 minutes ago, Krsmqn said:

On the part about Dante not going through his progressions and forcing the ball to a favorite receiver instead of taking the open guy, sometimes I wonder if the NFL gets into these guys’ heads a little. Especially when they know NFL reps are there watching.

Maybe there’s some pressure to force big plays or get certain guys their numbers instead of just taking what the defense gives them.

Probably a wild theory, but these are young guys and they all want to make it to the next level.

If he doesn't get his act together he wont be going to the next level.

It is not just USC, UCLA is really good. Look at their schedule, this is potentially a 9 win team.

they are doing Cignetti 2.0, and it is going to work. They are a running team that can pass, receivers are not great, but they will be a very disciplined team. The Ducks need to get through the next two after Portland State.

Discount the Bruins and you are done.

Thanks, Mike. Insightful and concerning.

I leave the Xs and Os to those with more expertise. But I understand attitude. In the two games this season, I've watched more talented players fail to show up and play with an attitude.

The whole is not better than the sum of the parts. Yeah, the weather was brutally hot. Big whoop. That's no excuse for 2- and 3-star guys kicking you in the posterior.

Forget all of 'The Bad News Ducks Go to Japan' and all the other extraneous stuff; football is about attitude. Less talented players who play harder and with a determined will to win often defeat teams with better rosters.

As to money being a problem. Players at Miami, LSU, and Texas are balling out.

From Dan Lanning on down, it's time to suck it up, show up, and ball out. Mike, of course, nailed it when it comes to scheme, and I hope Dan is willing to look in the mirror and perhaps reach out to his mentors for their input.

Football is about attitude. No matter how good the scheme and game plan, how are you going to respond when you get punched in the 🤬mouth?

Talent? Clemson had nine guys drafted last season and won seven games.

Get right against Portland State, go to LA, and punch SC in the chops.

Portland State is thinking upset!

I would go back to the no huddle O since the huddle is doing no good any way-maybe we get lucky on some hurry up plays?

19 hours ago, Santa Rosa Duck said:

as I only have 10% of your coaching knowledge if that.

And I 10% of that 10%.

Have there been any run blitzes?

And if we can't run the ball, move to a run-and-shoot style until the O-Line jells?

Would we have won if QB #2 played the second half, or even the 4th quarter? Seems like in the old days, a QB that was underperforming the way DM was yesterday would be pulled at least for a series to give him a chance to get a different perspective on leading the offense. DL seems too concerned about fragile egos to occasionally stir the pot.

About the defense, or lack thereof....

1. The inability to harass the QB despite the presumed high quality of Oregon's DL is concerning. My impression was that the Cowboys' receivers were getting open because they had so long to run their routes. (Nobody can cover forever.) I faintly recall thinking that they may have double-teaming Matayo, but I could be wrong. Perhaps the emphasis on "caging" rather than sacking the QB is part of what Happy's son thought was too predictable. I don't recall seeing Wyatt playing much. Admittedly, there is limit to how much I saw. I did not see any of the game after 4:00 EDT because ESPN decided to show women's tennis, which, come to think of it, may have been a blessing.

2. Evaluations for high school seniors are interesting, but performance on the field is what counts. I am not here to call out individual players. Let us say for the sake of argument that Perich and Finney are all-star players. How confident are you in the coverage provided by the other three secondary spots?

3. This may be too much inside baseball for some, but there are visitors to this site who could speak to this, and it may be relevant. I thought that in a MINT defense there are supposed to be three DLs playing no wider than the inside shoulder of the offensive tackles. The idea is supposed to be to force runs outside where the RBs will be dealt with my the new age LBs, or not old-style Dick Butkus run-stuffers but guys who can run like safeties, such as...Bassa and Boettcher. Yesterday, Oregon had four men at the line of scrimmage on all down except third and long. They do not seem to be positioned "tight" as in a MINT, unless I am missing something. Is Oregon still playing a MINT? If not, what? For what purpose? Is it working? If not, what are the alternatives with the personnel we have?