I say that meaning this. LSU will be without their starting QB and other important pieces. If Oregon comes in and lays an egg how will that look to the rest of the country? What will it do for not only the school, but also for the conference? Thoughts? Am I over analyzing it?
Yes it is a must win. Getting a rose bowl berth is cool and all, but after last years place in the national championship game, I think anything less than getting back there (with a lot of key starters returning) is a failure.
I do think its a very important game for the national image of the team yes. The country has seen Oregon lose to BSU, Ohio State, and Auburn in big time national games. Losing this regardless of who is out for LSU could start leading to the reputation of losing big games much like Ohio State had recently before finally winning the Sugar Bowl in January. (with ineligible players) I dont agree though that anything less than the National Title Game is a failure though. It takes an incredible amount of luck and skill and health to get there. I think anything less than a BCS Bowl this year would be hard to swallow though.
Swear to god I had a dream last night that we lost the game 43-16. I can't recall ever dreaming about a sporting event before. Strange.
Lots of great comments and no persons opinion/insight is wrong. It's their take as a fan... Every game is a must win with the level we have been playing at recently. We're facing one of the best teams in the SEC - and it's just incredible to me where Oregon is right now. You gotta understand, I've been a fan a long time. I've seen four and five win seasons that were considered a success because we won a few games. LOL. To hear people say a Rose Bowl appearance would be a letdown is just insanity to me. No team in the history of football, HS, college, pro, is able to play at a NC level year after year. It's common sense. To answer the original question - yes, it's a must win. If we make the Rose Bowl, I'll be one happy camper.
Didn't the Cowboys and Patriots win three out of 4 super bowls in 4 years? Nah but I agree. Rose bowl wouldn't be bad. The difference is you tasted the national title game last year. With Darron Thomas, Cliff Harris and Lamichael James (countless others too) coming back, I definitely see it being possible getting back to the title game. If I was a Ducks fan my hopes would be for the title game, which I don't think is unobtainable. Good luck
Definitely agree. Hope you guys make it back again, My dad is a hardcore Oregon fan and I'd like to see them get one in his lifetime.
The Ducks are our only shot because the Blazers sure as hell won't be winning anything any time soon.
Of course it's a big game for a host of reasons. Among those not already mentioned is that we need to establish our offense when teams have a while to prepare for it. If LSU shuts us down cold, then we may be seeing some serious changes in our offense. Now, I'm not one of those who thinks BCS title game every season as it flat out takes some luck as well as skill. But I do think this team's current potential is in the 0-2 losses category, pending injuries... And we need to beat top SEC teams if we're (and our conference) is to be taken seriously. So it's a big game and I can't wait!!
thanks! To return to a BCS bowl they'll need lots of good luck. Avoiding the bad luck of key injuries would be a great place to start. While they do return the quality skill players you mention, they are also bringing up lots of new talent along their lines... and the old truism about where football games are won & lost springs to mind. The new lineman are bigger and better athletes then the guys they replace and camp reports have been glowing, but we really don't know whats what until Saturday. I'll be watching it with 50 or so of my closest Bay Area Duck friends absolutely STOMP
No, it isn't a "must win". The players view it as one because of the Win The Day mantra, but the day after the LSU game is a new day to be won, regardless of if the team loses to LSU. I find it a bit crazy to say that winning the Pac 12 and going to the Rose Bowl would be a "disappointment", and I really hope that those of us who waited decades for the shot at playing for a title realize how special last season was in terms of Oregon football history. The entire LB corps needs to be replaced, the middle of the defensive line, and two very good WRs. I think there is a better chance that this team goes 9-3 than 12-0, at least with my concerns on the O-line. If they come together quickly, then I'll revise that statement.
