You're 10-0 and 1 game away from the NT game (OSU's game has circled the bowl and is now floating out to sea). Teams are starting to figure you out a bit and the play calling is iffy. Take the extra week, get some rest, get healthy, throw a few wrinkles in the offense and beat AZ. The, it's on to the NT game!!!
Do you think it's that teams have figured them out or do you think the Ducks are just cracking a bit under the pressure of being #1?
That's a very good question. The answer is, yes. Any innovative offense or defense will be soon "figured out". So to that extent, I think as teams see more footage of what works, they can incorporate it into their defense. But on the other hand, we have become a bit predictable and have scaled back the playbook without Nate trying to protect Thomas. I think we need to open the playbook wider and get teams on their heels a bit. This is the time to do so. We need to recognize blitz better and Thomas needs to know who he checks to... we're just not playing well.
The other problem is that teams are keying on James. They've figured out that if they stop the run, Oregon has struggled to adjust. Two games in a row James has struggled. He had a good second half against Washington, but Cal was never winded in the second half like UW was. If we don't successfully tire out the defense by the second half, it significantly reduces our success at running the football.
Agreed. However, maybe we can play Barner more and also with James more in the same backfield and force defenses to be a bit more honest.
I noticed when we put Barner in, it threw them off and he was able to break off a couple of nice runs. I think they should definitely try that more often.
I just believe our O-line got badly outplayed. Not so much that teams have us figured out. They weren't giving Thomas much time in the pocket but it's also fair to say that Thomas missed a lot of throws he should have made.
I don't know if I'd say he missed A LOT of throws. There were a few that stand out in my mind. I think the offense overall played poorly. Nobody lived up to their usual expectations. Even Maehl dropped an easy catch that would have kept a drive going.
What did everyone expect from a Cal team that was undefeated at home? Please take a historic gander through the seasons of teams who have won the NC. Not every win is a blowout. In 2001 we fielded one of the Duck best teams ever. I'm sure no one needs a recap of final ranking and the Fiesta Bowl results. But, we all do need a reminder that FOUR games that season were won by a margin of 3 points or less. No one has figured us out because we run four basic sets - all based on athleticism, speed and option reads. Everyone figured us out after the first game of the season. No one was cracking from the pressure of a high ranking. Oregon doesn't play for rankings. They play to win each game. We just beat a tough team that was undefeated at home. Enjoy it! Enjoy it like the Auburn fans, the 2nd best team in the nation, who has had four very close games this season.
I don't think our OL was badly outplayed. This was a Cal team who allows a little over 100 yards rushing a game - less at home. We had 170 rushing yards! Geezes, guys. One close game and we're figured out, cracking and being badly outplayed? Are you kidding me?? We had 324 yards to Cal's 194. We had some questionable calls against us that kept Cal's drives going, a few dropped passes by normally sure handed receivers, a gimpy starting RB and two missed FG's. This was Pac football on the road and we are 10-0. For a 30+ year fan like me, it's pretty sweet.
Good post. I might add that fumble that lead to Cal's second TD was a forward pass according to the rules. The result should have been no TD. So while the game was very close, Cal benefited big time from poor officiating.
Exactly. All the breaks and calls seemed to go Cal's way. Sure, lots of areas to work on - particularly Thomas and decisions in the pocket (norm for any player, let alone a first year starting SO). But, I think this game is exactly what we needed to become a better team. The stats show we may not have dominated, but we were by far the better team. Our defensive was HUGE!!
Perhaps they were surprised with the 7-man blitzes. I thought they fought them off bravely, but seemed unprepared.
I don't agree about the jitters... Kelly can talk all he wants about "win the day" and "one game at a time", but these are kids we're talking about. Most of them aren't even old enough to drink. They are on the internet, they read the hype, they see the rankings. Maybe you've noticed, but our offense has struggled a bit ever since we hit the #1 ranking the last couple weeks. The Ducks are used to being underestimated. It's like.. our thing. To be the #1 team and have all this hype has to be somewhat crazy for a bunch of kids on the best team in the nation. They have to feel at least SOME of the pressure.
I'm not arguing that it was a bad call. But I couldn't really tell from the replays. Vs seems to think showing replays in Almost real speed helps But there was some questionable calls no doubt
Fortunately people are going to start doubtin us again and will start picking Auburn. I guess it defines what you mean by struggle. By previous games standards yes the offense struggled the last couple games. But how much of that is a product of how much the offense spoiled us this year? Last night was the first night I have seen them struggle all game. Last night was ugly but let's not get too carried away... Last night was the FIRST game they have been held below 42 points
