that since the Stanford meltdown our Ducks seem a bit apathetic. Listening to interviews about being in the drivers seat to the Pac-12 championship and the Rose Bowl, you can hear the disappointment in their tones about not being there against Bama. I for one think this is a blessing in disguise! Unless Aliotti plans to implement a 4-3 power stack defense in the next month and a half, how do we really expect to beat Bama? They have almost as talented of lines on the O and D lines as Stanford and just as big. The difference is their QB does have the skill to find the receivers and their skilled players are DAMN good on both sides of the ball. Our defense must get 3 and outs against them and to be honest under the bend don't break, I don't see that happening and I'm a DUCK HOMER!!! I imagine a 28-14 end result with us seeing the ball on offense maybe 5 times and them chewing the clock like a fat kid in a all you can eat buffet. We all know that our D needs to be adjusted on the line and Aliotti seems rigid against doing that. So until another Ngata throws on a Duck jersey I'm wondering how we are going to beat Bama. Now OSU has played a creampuff schedule this year, Urban Meyer is on a two year winning streak, he stole our recruit Dontre Wilson on the final week before signing day and he's a Shitweasel as a human being! What better reason to make a huge point end up #2 in the nation and win 3-4 BCS bowls and 3-4 Pac-12 championships? Our recruiting will be great, Marcus will look amazing and the Ducks will win the Granddaddy of them all again! This while Stanford watches us from the beef and liver bowl and FSU gets jackhammered for the country to see. Seems like a win win to me! Then in the offseason we pick up Alfonso Hampton and a few prison guards like LSU does and drop them on the D line and go after Bama a bit more aggressively next year with a suitable D line plan!
I get your reasoning and agree for the most part. However, this was to be our year with Mariota, Huff and DAT. If those guys leave, we have some serious voids that are not easy to fill.
I don't think there was a Stanford meltdown. The game simply went their way and with MM unable to run, it took away the read/option and we became predictable. Had we kicked the FG and that blown call on the passing interference not been called as well as the muffed booth decision on the DAT fumble, we win easily. Stanford, being well behind, would have to pass more and as USC proved, they can't pass. So, no, it wasn't a meltdown it was a perfect storm that allowed Stanford to win. But a loss is a loss. Against Utah I didn't sense they were flat, but two things struck me. With MM unable to run, and Utah now knowing that, they could more easily take away our running game. And also I sensed we were just bidding time until the inevitable. And it came and we won going away. Lastly, the Rose Bowl. For me, it isn't natty or bust. A chance, I hope, to stick it to and undefeated OSU would be as sweet as sweet gets. I think the players will agree as well.
Let me rephrase, meltdown meaning the mental hit that the Stanford loss put on our kids and even coaches. We left 17 points in Stanford's red zones that game and I for one feel if you score on Stanford first you win! I knew that when USC scored first Stanford was doomed. Stanford can't establish power slow, clock eating ball if they have to play even 7 points down. They have to take chances, and they're not a chance taking team. Now as for losing Huff and DAT. I give you Addison, Carrington + both Allens, who are all bigger than Huff. Who knows may Stanford at 6'5 will play next year too? I also think we could have some real fun putting Tyner in a tazer position much like DAT, and how many schools think they will use Joe Mixon next year. Tyner is a bigger more physical version of DAT with the same speed! Then you put Marshall and Freeman in the backfield. Now pick your poison! I still don't have an answer for if Mariota leaves, but with the amount skilled players we'll have, an average QB could look amazing. Don't also forget that we have Hobbs learning the system just in case Jake or Jeff don't pan out. He might have that Darron Thomas effect. Mobile, quick, bigger body.
I love your optimism and reasoning. Really, I do. Oregon really broke the mold over the last six years, but for us old school guys, we still revert to the old stat that for like 8 years in a row, it was an experienced QB/signal caller who won the Pac. Awesome talent is great. An outstanding QB can be even greater.
I can't speak for the players, but I'll be plain stoked if they're in a revenge matchup with the Buckeyes in Pasadena. I had a complete blast at the Wisconsin game but this potential matchup would be much more exciting. As a student I always thought winning the Pac 12 & going to the Rose Bowl was the goal. Anything beyond that is gravy lots of chatter about MM's knee being on the mend. Apparently he didn't wear the brace today and made comments about looking to run again vs Zona STOMP
This whole year the Ducks have looked good but not how do I say "electric duck" like the last two years. I think this team is SOOOOOOOOO do for a fun explode game. I hope Marcus comes out throws 400 yards, runs two in and tells the fair-weather Heisman voters to kiss his Samoan ASS!! DAT runs two back to the house and Tyner and Marshall have some fun! Would also be nice to see Buckner and crew get a little nasty out there and remember how truly talented they are!
Ducks vs. Buckeyes would be an epic clash. I don't think we'd match up against Michigan State's defense.
At least we have fewer worries than FSU. Yikes. http://msn.foxsports.com/college-fo...ton-s-dna-found-in-accuser-s-underwear-112013
it's Florida. Sick as assault is, this will probably continue to be swept under the rug and the national media will largely turn a blind eye STOMP
The police coercion might throw a wrench in this however! This starts to look like massive lack of institutional control to protect a football team and its goals! The assault in actuality may take a back seat "UNFORTUNALETY" to a new NCAA investigation.
