"This particular game is such a mental one in my view, as opposed to what the coaches will say about it being a physical showdown. In fact I do not know if I have ever encountered such a “mental” Oregon game as this one in all my years as an Oregon fan."

 

GameDay Thread of Pac-12 Championship: the MENTAL, Not the Physical Side Will Win by Charles Fischer of FishDuck

 

                        The "One-Thing" Oregon Needs to Win...

Of all your "mental" points, I hope the mental discipline to go penalty free occurs in the game. 

 

Those mental lapses have killed too many drives.  Those selfish "jawing" at the opponent unsportsmanlike penalties need to be stopped.  Just walk away!

 

Thanks for the well thought article!

 

Go Ducks!

The last time, and only time, that Oregon lost to the eventual N Champ was 2014, to Scooby and the rest of the Wildcats. I remember this game seeming worse than the 31-24 score indicates. But Oregon set things right, mauling the 'Cats, 51-13, in the Championship Game. 

 

There was nothing vague about the L to the Utes and whether it will motivate or disintegrate Oregon's desire is what we'll find out.

Yogi and I agree, the game is 50% physical and 90% mental, or as Iron Mike would say, everyone has a plan until they get hit in the face.  We need to throw the first punch and keep it up.

 

If we can do that and let Utah know they are playing a completely different team, that will go a long way towards a W.

 

If not, and Utah is playing the same team, OUCH.

 

It would be interesting to see what NIL opportunities are available for the "Threepeat Pac 12 Champs" (Doesn't that have a nice ring to it)? 

It’s pretty obvious that this team can beat anyone in the pack with the talent they have. The thing is does this group want it. 

 

We all hope they do.

 

go🦆🦆🦆s

Yes this has been an interesting year. We haven't known which team will show up, and often, for how long will that last?

 

The worst mental hurdle I remember is against Stanford in the 2012, 2013, and 2014 seasons. Marcus hadn't beaten them and it was in their heads. The constant blather about the media generated Stanford "brutal intelligence" was just crap. Marcus dominated with a fast start and they won.

 

Start fast, build momentum, and they'll be Champs!

 

We'll see who shows up

Go Ducks!!! 

I think Ken Woody got it right. Mental outlook is formed by what your focused on.  If it’s on yourself,  you’re on the right track. That’s why this is not a game of revenge, but a game of redemption.

 

Thought I saw a glimmer in AB’s play against the Beavs that suggests he’s at least slowing the game down under JM’s system. Looking for that same confidence in Las Vegas. Go Ducks!

Super article that perfectly asks the questions asked over and over again since Mario's been at the wheel? I have zero idea what kind of effort and outcome to expect tonight? 

Fascinating subject and thanks for bringing it up at this time. I think the mental difference is all about the finger.

 

Some think it is about the crossing the fingers, luck. Football is an oblong ball and you never know how it is going to bounce. The refs can ruin the game, the wind can effect a pass, and the ball can just bounce the wrong way. You go out play, and never know who is going to win, just luck.

 

Others think it is all about the fist. Just punch them hard enough and the other side will give up. Some propose this is Mario's default process.  This has some merit when an opponent just doesn't respond. Sometimes an opponent doesn't care how hard you try, how hard you hit them, they want it more than you. This is where we will need 4 quarters, not just a fast start.

 

The real difference is between the forefinger and thumb. Every play, every situation do you give it the extra effort mentally and physically it takes to win. The difference isn't really measurable, but over time it is extremely consequential. The Ducks need to ask themself did they give that little extra  needed to win, every moment?

 

The ball may bounce wrong, but did you give up? You may have layed out the qb, but did you come back the next play with the same intensity? The problem with that little space between the thumb and the forefinger is if it gets too close it means zero. The Ducks need to focus on the little gap, difference between winning and losing and never forget it or let it get to zero.

 

Last season I saw that gap become zero too many times. Missed assignments, no follow through, lack of execution on individuals parts.  This season I have seen that gap stay wide enough to win and win when we weren't suppose to. That is the mental part I want to see us win.

 

If the Ducks take care of that little gap, difference between winning and losing, they can then give them the finger most were thinking I was getting too.

From Darren Perkins...I moved it to here!

Grey Beard Special!!!

The Ducks must win, otherwise the Utes travelling to Pasadena would look something like this (like us in '94):

 

 

Tonight will be the 7th time in 11 champ games that the Pac-12 will have a rematch. The team that won earlier is 5-1 in the previous 6 games. The exception to the rule? The Ducks blow out of Rich Rod and Arizona.

On 12/3/2021 at 1:01 PM, Charles Fischer said:

From Darren Perkins...I moved it to here!

Grey Beard Special!!!

The Ducks must win, otherwise the Utes travelling to Pasadena would look something like this (like us in '94):

 

 

 

Haha, i've got too many screens and windows open, sometimes i get lost.... 

Who will be the best coach tonight? This will be the key to the game.

Edited December 3, 20214 yr by Santa Rosa Duck

On 12/3/2021 at 1:34 PM, Darren Perkins said:

Haha, I've got too many screens and windows open, sometimes i get lost.... 

 

Not on you--for some reason the auto-posting of FishDuck articles did not work this morning, so I put up the article manually in this thread.  Then six hours later...it posts the article!  You posted under the new one, thus I moved it to the original post.  So again--not your fault!

"I have not been able to predict anything this season"  

 

This sums it up!   This year's ducks are impossible to predict.   I have given up.  It will come down to how the coaches and teams prepare and how AB performs.

Utah fans are winning the battle of body count at the game, by a multiple of 100 by my eyes.

 

Duck fans have been late starters, but there’s no catching up at this point.

 

I hope the players don’t feel let down.

On 12/3/2021 at 4:43 PM, Duck1984 said:

Utah fans are winning the battle of body count at the game, by a multiple of 100 by my eyes.

 

Duck fans have been late starters, but there’s no catching up at this point.

 

I hope the players don’t feel let down.

Most that I talk to think the Ducks are going to lose. I would say 3 out of 4. I actually think they could win but it will take as good of a game as Ohio St.

FAST 

HARD 

FINISH

 

Usually, I'm verbose.  Not tonight.  Those three words sum up our brand.  

 

It's not "battle in a phone booth"

 

Edge of the Universe Mario.  Go where no man (you) has gone before.  

 

That's the mental battle going on.

Edited December 4, 20214 yr by Mike West

Im sure MC is looking at the crowd thinking MIAMI is looking better everyday.

On a lighter note -The Ducks fans there would be a normal crowd for Stanford.

I feel like i've seen this game already

Ummmm....

That was easy-same ole D

there was no REASON to grab the receiver, the ball was at least 1foot farther ahead

For all the talk about physical, why do you run your regular defensive front on your own two yard line?

 

Again a penalty changes the tone of that drive ( close call- I like the defense of that pass). 

 

Not digging giving them easy blocking assignments so close to the goal line.  

Edited December 4, 20214 yr by Mike West

Looks like MC is going after those A gaps. Phone booth battle forthcoming.

2 missed tackles and a facemask on the return... this might turn out worse than the last game

We look bad-very bad.

7 minutes gone and 30 yards in penalties. Help!

I don't object, in principle, to losing. I just don't like losing while looking embarrassingly shabby.

Non disciplined sloppy football.

What is it with special teams? They've been absolutely terrible the last few weeks.

Yeah 

 

Utah seems to want this more than we do

LB looking at the QB again...

That is an INT or sack if he covers properly.

 

I don't get it...

I want to see sequential plays now.  

 

That is the key to explosion.  

 

And now I'm going radio silent as I have spoken my peace.

 

Simple corrections will turn the tide of this game.

 

But who am I but a SCRUB FAN. 

Welp, I wonder what else is on TV

Well this games in the dumper.

AB looks lathargic.

Pick 6 -Brown is toast sorry to say

Mario, we have a problem. A big problem.

The Mario experiment is not doing well.

He just threw a pick-6. His ankle is taped. His team is down 14-0. Why should he not be benched?

Wow they got a first down!  Oh pass interference on offense... 3rd and 17...

Anyone else going to bail out on this game?

OH MY. Utah just really exposes every weakness we've discussed this year. 

 

When will the pac-12 get professional referees.  Pass interference?  Pass interference?  

 

Pac -12 referees consistently miss call games all season.  Unfair to all teams!

My Ducks are over for the season-the injuries plus all the coaching crap--makes for a lost game 

Good Luck Utes in the Rose Bowl.

Four penalties on our DUCKS in the first quarter. This looks like too much fun.

Is Mario worth $7M?