After the hype and press conferences, they have to play a game

Will Oregon earn their wings in the 2012 Rose Bowl, and shake off the image of the flashy, fancy team that can't get it done in big games? (brobible.com photo)

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Rose Bowl facts and friction: Wisconsin versus Oregon

One expert already predicts the Badgers to win. Rob Moseley of the Register-Guard, beat writer extraordinaire among Duck fans, has the game 28-24, Wisconsin. Moseley, having picked Oregon to beat Ohio State, Auburn and LSU, now says the Ducks have to prove it, outplaying their opponent in a big game instead of falling flat.


The matchup with Wisconsin looks more favorable than their previous confrontations against the nation's elite squads.

Photo right: Shining moment for a young legend? Oregon's chances for their first Rose Bowl victory in 94 years increase dramatically with a big game from their explosive all-purpose threat, freshman De'Anthony Thomas (koin.com photo)

Going bowling: how Chip Kelly and the Ducks avoid another gutter ball in a BCS game

Wisconsin is a good, solid football team with many weapons. But the good news is they don't have the physical, overpowering defensive line that Auburn or Ohio State had. It's a much better matchup for the Ducks.


They will still have to play very well to win.

 photo left: Darron Thomas needs to be accurate and effective against an exploitable Wisconsin secondary next week, or the Ducks will struggle to sustain their offensive tempo.

On Christmas Day Oregon fans count their Duck blessings

It's gratifying to see that not only are the Ducks winners and champions, they are also good people.

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What Matt Barkley's decision means for the Ducks

The easy road of dominance Oregon enjoyed over the last three years has ended. Next year, the Ducks face the prospect of beating USC twice to make the BCS final, at least once to make the Rose Bowl next year.

Conquest: Barkley's golden moment, leading the Trojan band after the upset win over Oregon this November on national TV, led directly to his decision to return for his senior year (Patrick Gee photo).

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Trading places: A Wisconsin blogger says why Oregon will win the Rose Bowl

Special Guest Post by Andrew Coppen, writer/editor for wiscobadgers.com

As part of the ongoing agreement with The Duck Stops Here we bring you our 2nd feature in Opposition Recon and it’s a bit different than anything we’ve really done before, we’re giving the opposition the reasons they will win the Rose Bowl. So, Ducks fans, I hope you enjoy our 5 Reasons Why Oregon Will Win.

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Oregon recruiting: Kyle Long blessed by the broken road that led him straight to the Ducks

Older, wiser and stronger, Kyle Long is eager for his second opportunity to become a major college athlete at a top program (rivals.com photo).

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Oregon recruiting: Can the Ducks pry Jeremiah Poutasi loose from the Utes?

Desert Pines strongman Poutasi is a pile-driving warrior with uncommon strength and size (rivals.com photo).

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Fentress takes on the Oregon fanbase: Is Chip Kelly the best Oregon coach ever, better than Bellotti?

Chip Kelly's pointed the way to 33 wins in three seasons as Oregon coach, and both his parents and his players believe in him. Is he Oregon's best ever?

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Oregon recruiting: breaking down the Oregon defensive line class

Special guest writer Michael  analyzes the Oregon recruiting class at defensive line, which has a been a bugaboo and a bone of contention among fans for many years. "Why can't Oregon recruit any more stud defensive lineman?" fans ask, but as McCoy points out, this year they may be doing exactly that.

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Oregon recruiting: Marcus Rios would be a great fit for an athletic Oregon secondary of the future

Marcus Rios is a standout cornerback, rated one of the best 20 in the country by scout.com. (photo semperfidelisbowl.com)


At 6-0, 170, he is physical and athletic, with an aggressive style that would make him a great fit along with Terrance Mitchell, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and Troy Hill in John Neal's ballhawking secondary of the future.

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Saying good-bye to LaMichael James

abc.com photo

Whether he's decided or not, announced or not, confirmed by a reliable source or not, LaMichael James is probably leaving for the NFL after the Rose Bowl. And he should.

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Oregon recruiting: recruiting decisions take faith, ripple through many careers and futures

This week Oregon got a verbal commitment from defensive tackle Stetzon Bair, and in doing so they said good-bye to Faith Ekakitie.

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Oregon recruiting: new verbal commit Stetzon Bair could become a giant problem for PAC-12 offenses

He has the most kickass football name since Bronko Nagurski. You'd expect Stetzon Bair to manhandle offensive linemen like steers, chasing down ball carriers like strays in the mesquite, all the time exuding the confident, manly fragrance of victory.

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Badgered by the Badgers: a two-part Rose Bowl preview with wiscobadgers.com

Andrew Coppens and the writers at wiscobadgers.com join DSH for a preview of the Rose Bowl. Who prevails, blur-fast speed or smashmouth power?

Part one

Part two

Oregon, Wisconsin seek to climb over each other to reach the top rung of college football

With a win over the other in the Rose Bowl, Wisconsin or Oregon takes a leap forward as a national program.

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Oregon recruiting: Texas speedster Trey Williams will remind you of another one, but he has potential all his own

Trey Williams is a 5-8, 170-lb. running back from Houston, Texas. He's fast, shifty and has great vision, with talent you can't help but compare to LaMichael James.

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Oregon recruiting: Ohio tight end Pharaoh Brown is building his own success pyramid

From the Brush High Arcs of Lyndhurst, Ohio, Pharaoh Brown is rising like a wonder of the world.

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A stab at the college football awards, and Oregon players who deserve an honorable mention

Only the Army-Navy game remains in college football's regular season, so it's time for bowl predictions, season recaps and award ceremonies. Here's a look at the superlatives in a super year of college football:

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Cliff Harris smoked it all, and burned all his bridges

It's a testament to the character and resilience of the Oregon team that in each of Chip Kelly's first three years, they won a conference title with a key player suspended or dismissed for disciplinary reasons. The Ducks went 36-6 without running back LeGarrette Blount in 2009, returning starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in 2010, and All-American returner and cornerback Cliff Harris in 2011.
 
In a different era, with a different coach or in a different part of the country, these three players would have been coddled through. Urban Meyer's Florida teams had 31 arrests involving 25 players. Many of those players missed no more than a half against Central City Tech, and the Gators won two national championships. 

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Oregon finishes a great accomplishment; now faces a month of unfinished business

Bruce Ely photo, oregonlive.com. For a terrific photo essay on
Oregon's win in the PAC-12 Championship Game visit here

Darron Thomas has led an 11-2 team that scores 46 points and averages over 500 yards a game, but like his teammates, his resume won't be complete until he wins a BCS bowl.

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Keys to the game: UCLA at Oregon, for the Rose Bowl

Temporary banners, an unfamiliar stadium announcer, a diluted crowd, weird start time, short week, emotion-charged opponent, that's all so much fluff. This is the PAC-12 Championship. UCLA's come to town hoping to send out their embattled coach with a storybook victory and shock the world, but the Ducks have to ignore the hysteria and hype and win their 11th football game.


Oregon is 60 minutes away from an historic accomplishment. A win earns their third straight conference championship, and makes them the only team to appear in a BCS bowl for the last three years.

photo left: Everybody wears their game face, but a game head, heart and hands are what matters. The Ducks must execute to beat UCLA and finish a run to the Rose Bowl (AP, Greg Wahl-Stephens photo).

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Can the Bruins win one for the Slickster?

On Wednesday, the UCLA players carried their coach off the field at the end of practice. It was a subdued rather than a jubilant tribute, and Neuheisel, often despised by many opposing fans for his glibness, was visibly moved and humbled by their show of affection and support.

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Marvin Johnson, master of the hustle and flow

Remember Marvin Johnson? A hard-hitting special teams player and nickleback, Johnson played for the Ducks from 2007-2010. He made a big interception in the win over Arizona that clinched the Rose Bowl in 2009. He had 26 tackles and a fumble recovery as a senior, including two tackles in the National Championship Game against Auburn.

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Oregon recruiting: Reggie, Reggie! New verbal commit Daniels is a home run for the Ducks

Secondary coach John Neal and the Ducks got a big verbal commitment today, from four-star defensive back Reggie Daniels of Chandler, Arizona.

photo right: Daniels flies in for another tackle, one of 83 he's made in his senior year at Hamilton High (Pat Shanahan, Arizona Republic photo).

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Handicapping the Heisman: despite a great season, LMJ gets a stiff arm from the Heisman voters

LaMichael James is an outstanding football player with exceptional talent He has more yards per carry than either Trent Richardson or Montee Ball, but he isn't going to New York this season for the Heisman Trophy Awards ceremony. He won't be a Heisman finalist, barring a gigantic game in the last weekend versus UCLA.

photo right: None of the other major candidates has a 90-yard run to his credit, and no one has more runs of 30 yards or more than James (abxnews.com photo).

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The Ducks cram for a final: UCLA comes to town Friday with the Rose Bowl at stake

The Ducks just need to stiffarm the Bruins to punch their ticket for the Rose Bowl (eugeneregisterguard.com photo, Chris Pietsch).

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Grading the Ducks, Oregon State at Oregon

49-21, and it wasn't that close. The Ducks could have named a score against the Beavers, but they throttled down the offense and emptied the bench late in the third quarter. Jennings Stewart recovered the last fumble and Ayele Ford scored the last touchdown. No chance of a Bobby Petrino/Les Miles lip reading outrage in this game. The Beavers passed for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, against a three-man rush and a secondary fresh off the scout team.


Here are the grades, for the keys DSH identified Saturday morning.

photo right: Chip Kelly has pointed the way to 32 victories as Oregon head coach, and the Ducks need one more win for a third straight conference title.

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Ducks dispatch Oregon State to win North Division, host first PAC-12 Championship Game

Darron Thomas draws fans' ire with every overthrow, but in Oregon's last three games, he's completed 65% of his passes with eight tds and no interceptions. The offense sputtered at times today but hit their number with 49 points, manhandling the Beavers with 669 total yards even after shutting down the offense for most of the fourth quarter.

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Black Saturday: what the Ducks must do to avoid getting trampled by a door-busting deal

If the Ducks can avoid the curse of the Grello Helmets, they should find running room against the Beavs (oregonscout.com photo).

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Oregon recruiting: Dwayne Stanford II is the receiver the Oregon offense needs

He's announcing tomorrow morning and they may not get him, because a dozen elite schools have him at the top of their board. But Dwayne Stanford II is the type of target Oregon's quarterback needed on the final drive on Saturday night.

Photo left: Dwayne Stanford II, a bright kid with an infectious smile and awesome ability--born to be a Duck. (espngo.com photo).

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Grading the Ducks, USC at Oregon

How they respond, rather than this loss will be the measure of the 2011 Ducks. A third conference title and a Rose Bowl win are still possible, representing a tremendously successful season.

photo right: Matt Barkley celebrates with his teammates and a slim contingent of Trojan fans after conquering Autzen Stadium in what may be the highlight of his college career. (Patrick Gee photo, usctrojans.com)

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Morbid thoughts on a painful loss, and an invitation to buck up

Oregon joined Boise State as victims of a missed field goal at the end of the game, ending their run at the national championship. Other worthy goals remain. Photo by Thomas Boyd of oregonlive.com.

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USC at Oregon preview: Can the Ducks create "Fright Night 3" for USC?

For three years now, California Golden Boy Matt Barkley has tasted turf in the state of Oregon, going 0-5 in the Willamette Valley, battered and bruised. Zac Clark lines him up in this 2009 file image from prphotos.com

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Oregon recruiting: prospect Gehrig Dieter is si.com's National High School Player of the Week

Check out the accompanying video, which starts with Dieter throwing a key block downfield, and features his coach, Atwon Jones, praising his focus and work ethic. Both Gehrig's parents are police officers, and he's a directed, dialed-in guy, who faces the camera and speaks modestly.


But someone has to do something about that Auburn Tiger sweatshirt.

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Oregon recruiting: new verbal commit Byron Marshall has a plan of his own

Byron Marshall stiffarmed Cal and ASU to become a Duck, and fans will be delighted he did (bearinsider.com photo).

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Not so fast, my friend: Dano "Coastal Duck" Dunn offers the opposing view on a BCS playoff

Special guest post by Dano "Coastal Duck" Dunn



(photo left) King of the hill, top of the heap: Les Miles doesn't see anything wrong with the current playoff system, at least not yet. But around the country, fans of a dozen different schools think they deserve a crack at The Hat and his Tigers.



Let's explore the playoff - WAY too many questions to be answered first.
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Solving the BCS mess is so easy even a girl-crazed 18-year-old can do it

Special guest post by Adam "Indiana Kendall

[Editor's note: Adam Kendall, a sharp-shooting basketball forward from Roosevelt High in Seattle, is a lifelong Duck fan. He tweets prolifically under the handle"The WisequacK" and eschews capitals, much in the manner of e.e. cummings]

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De'Anthony Thomas' Oregon career off to an historic beginning

De'Anthony Thomas is not the next Reggie Bush. He's not the next anyone. He's the first De'Anthony Thomas.

photo left: A familiar sight in Oregon's drive to a third straight conference crown: the player they stole from the Trojan's backyard, claiming some more valuable real estate for the Oregon offense. (insidesocal.com photo).

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Sometimes can't-miss superstars do exactly that

An athlete's career is uncertain. For every John Elway or Robin Yount, with a long tenure of sustained excellence, there are a dozen Joe Charbonneaus or Mark Fidryches, guys who had a taste of fame and flamed out for one reason or another.

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Grading the Ducks: Oregon at Stanford

It was the most complete team victory and focused effort since last week.

photo right: Oregon's pint-sized superman, LaMichael James, darted and bulldozed for 146 yards and three touchdowns in a 53-30 victory over Stanford Saturday night. But the Ducks have to produce an encore against a USC team that is already talking trash. (photo Ezra Shaw, Getty Images).

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The Duck Stops Here on The Johnny Ballgame Show

Appearing on The Johnny Ballgame Show 1450 AM in Eastern Oregon, 4:05 this afternoon. Watch live: http://johnnyballgameshow.com/live/




We'll be previewing Oregon-Stanford and the rest of the PAC-12 and Top Twenty schedule.

Interview with a vampire--well no, just a blood-red Cardinal blogger

Hank Waddles of the website GoMightyCard.com dropped by to ask some Oregon-Stanford questions.

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Darron Thomas vs. Andrew Luck, in high school, 2007

The two Houston-area quarterbacks locked up in a district playoff game in the fall of their senior years. Luck's team won, but Thomas had better stats, including 101 yards rushing.

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Grading the Ducks: Oregon at Washington

It wasn't a massive stat accumulation, but it was the most complete victory by the Oregon team this year.

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photo left: Right now, he might be the most maligned and muttered about 19-2 starter in the country. Fans are restless about Darron Thomas, who is plagued by inconsistency but continues to pad an impressive Oregon resume. Will he rise to the challenge, facing two top-drawer quarterbacks in the season's next two weeks? (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens).

Keys to the game: Oregon at Washington

The Northwest football writers are chittering like squirrels as Husky Hate Week reaches its culmination. The tree branches and telephone lines of the interwebs are filled with upset talk, much of it coming from Seattle. Art Thiel and Bob Condotta of the Emerald City papers, along with Ted Miller of ESPN and even Adam Jude of the Oregon are opining that the Ducks have likely flown high long enough, and in The Last Game in Old Husky Stadium, with Don James tossing the coin and the The 1991 National Champions honored at halftime, the foghorns of the yachts steaming out of Lake Washington will blow loud and long in historic triumph.

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Scouting the Huskies

For much of the year the Duck defense has given up chunks of yards between the 20s, and this week they face an offense with the firepower to exploit that weakness. The Huskies are much tougher in the red zone than Arizona, California or Colorado, the gamut of also-rans the Ducks have pummeled on their way to 7-1. UW has a 1,000-yard rusher in Chris Polk, and a quarterback who's shocked the conference with his first-year effectiveness.

photo right: Can the Ducks hang on to their share of first place against Washington? A lot depends on wrapping up Chris Polk, who thrives on yards after contact (nfldraftmonsters.com photo).

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New stories at duckstopshere.com

At our new url, duckstopshere.com, we have the following features so far this week:

Recruiting updates on Fabian Moreau and Gehrig Dieter.

Tales from the stat sheet: which Oregon defense will emerge in November?

The Washington-Oregon rivalry--this is how long it's been since the Huskies won.

Grading the Ducks, Washington State at Oregon

With the ten-point quizzes out of the way, the Ducks take their midterms in November.

photo left: Three weeks running Bryan Bennett has provided the spark in an Oregon win with his mobility, poise and playmaking verve. With a big game in a hostile stadium, will an experienced but banged-up Darron Thomas solidify his hold on the Ducks' starting quarterback job? (photo by Jim Rider, presswire.com)

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Is this the next great Oregon running back?

This Oregon prep sensation and national talent as a track and field sprinter may become the heir to the tradition established by J-Stew, LMJ and DAT.

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With a great recruiting visit, Randy Uzoma could be the Fishduck catch of the day

Randy Uzoma, smart, fast and talented, could be a perfect fit in the Oregon offense of the future (photo courtesy conagaparkhs.org).

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Keys to the game, Washington State at Oregon

One day, Oregon will lose again in Autzen Stadium. But it won't happen tomorrow.

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Life without Cliff means young dbs get the isolation camera

Meanwhile, as the coaches sort out the police report and Cliff Harris' future, the Ducks have a game to win to get to 7-1 and the crux of their season.


It's a great test for the young secondary with the Washington State Cougars having the 10th-best passing attack in the NCAA, averaging 313 yards per game. Jeff Tuel's doubtful with myriad injuries (leg and collarbone) so senior Marshall Lobbestael again takes over at quarterback. The Cougar offense hasn't stalled under Lobbestael; he's thrown for over 1700 yards, with 15 touchdown and just 5 interceptions, a very healthy ratio. He's been sacked 14 times but stays cool in the pocket, completing 64% of his passes.

photo left: Troy Hill, Terrance Mitchell and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu will have a opportunity to grow up in a hurry facing Marquess Wilson and a capable Wazzu passing attack. (espnnorthwest.com photo)

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Cliff Harris' Oregon career at the crossroads, and this time we hope he lets someone else drive

Until June 16th of this year, Duck fans counted on Cliff Harris to be one of the strengths of Oregon's drive for another successful season. Even then, everybody hoped Cliffy would go back to being Cliffy, the dynamic, wonderfully gifted athlete with the flair for the memorable quote or the highlight film moment.


As a sophomore he set a school record with four punt returns for touchdown. He led the team and the conference in interceptions and pass breakups, returning a pick of Tennessee's Matt Simms for a back-breaking 76-yard touchdown. When the Oregon offense couldn't get anything going against the Cal strategy of crash the zone read, fake injuries and hold receivers, Kash elevated the entire team with a 64-yard punt return for a score. He picked Andrew Luck twice. He blanketed the Trojans and baited Matt Barkley into an interception.

Photo right: Cliff Harris, brilliant, electric, enigmatic, and a colossal screw-up, soars for a pass breakup against Tennessee last season. Can he harness his ability and find the maturity to succeed, as a player and a person? (photo courtesy footballsfuture.com)

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Grading the Ducks: Oregon at Colorado

Beating Colorado was never the issue. The only question was by how much and how well. The Ducks needed a game where they got out of Boulder without falling between a rock and a hard place: no injuries, good focus, using their deep and continuing to develop as a team. A 45-2 win accomplished all of those goals.


Chip Kelly's team was lightning efficient, striking for four quick touchdowns on their first four possessions. Bryan Bennett never blinked. He took to the opening assignment like it was another week at Crespi High, prepared for the situation, in command, with adept feet and vision and a passing arm that found its rhythm as the game went on. Misfiring early on a couple of long throws, before walk-on Dustin Haines took over Bennett tossed pretty strikes to David Paulson, for a 31-yard touchdown, and a 31-yard catch-and-run to Lavasier Tuinei that hit LT in stride running down to the one, falling short of the end zone by one skinny buttcheek, laying out over a defender with maximum effort.

Photo left: this Bleacher Report file photo from 2009 illustrates what great defense should look like, and the Webfoots displayed plenty of the same kind of swarming intensity in Colorado. Can they dial it up again for Washington State?

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Keys to the game: assorted quack, smack and facts for Oregon at Colorado

The keys to the game are different for this one. An Oregon loss is so unlikely, given the dismal state of the Colorado football program, which is a walking MASH unit at 1-6, that this game is more about what the Ducks achieve and accomplish to push forward in their season.


The old coaching cliche is true, this mile-high massacre is Oregon's only opportunity to play football and get better this week. As Chip notes, you get thirteen chances a year to strap it up and play. Execution is a habit. Excellence is learned, and earned.

photo left: Bryan Bennett showed poise and athletic ability leading a comeback off the bench last Saturday against ASU, scampering on five carries for 65 yards, but what is his role this afternoon? (Jim Rider, US Presswire photo)

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The future isn't written: that's why college football is so compelling.

Every season has its rhythm and plot lines, its unexpected twists and turns, moments of glory and disbelief. There's the seemingly overwhelming adversity and miracles of belief. There is triumph, pleasure and disappointment. Few seasons are perfect, but perfection is always an elusive possibility. The Ducks came damn close a couple of times. And they've shot themselves in the foot more than once.


If you follow a team closely enough and lovingly enough, you'll experience the lows of a disaster in grello helmets, losing by 30 to Brigham Young in a lackluster bowl game, an underachieving team dogging it the desert after an underachieving and injury-riddled season, leaving their games in the casinos and gentlemen's clubs a few days before kickoff. Coach made embarrassing excuses, questioned how poorly the opponent would have played in the PAC-10. He vacillated between one quarterback and another. Johnathan Stewart was bottled up, hemmed in on the ground, just 7 carries for paltry 21 yards. After beating Oklahoma and starting 4-0, the Ducks finished 7-6. 2006 was a bad, crazy year.

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Keys to the game: ASU at Oregon

When the grousing, predicting and supposing is done, the Ducks kick it off and play football. They'll be in silver and black today, an unintended tribute to Al Davis, perhaps, but fitting in that Chip Kelly and his coaches share Davis' celebrated affection with speed. The NFL's longtime mad genius used to say "Just Win, Baby" while the Ducks say "Win The Day."

Every team in any competitive field, whether football or the battle for corporate supremacy, looks for a rallying cry that means something and a formula that isn't empty hype.

photo left: The Ducks, in silver in black tonight, create an unavoidable echo of one of the NFL's most storied franchises and their recently departed mastermind. Before he lapsed into self-parody, Al Davis was as thorough, innovative and successful as Chip Kelly (Getty images photo).

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links to our new url, duckstopshere.com after the jump)

If you're not worried, you're not paying attention

This is Dennis Erickson's best team since 2007, when they won ten games and cracked the Top Ten for a while. Oregon beat them that year, but it cost them Dennis Dixon's knee. The ending of that game was the beginning of sadness for the Ducks, a dream laying in ruins by a twist in the turf.


Football seasons don't always follow the form chart, or become the neat row of dominations and crafted x's and o's we'd like them to be. A lot could go wrong tomorrow. The Sun Devils are good. They're 18th in the country, 5-1, with their only loss to #16 Illinois in Champaign. They clubbed USC by three touchdowns, and their tailback Cameron Marshall busted loose for 141 yards on the Trojans.

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Friday run-through: news, notes on ASU at Oregon

The Vegas line on this game is Oregon -14.5, which means the Ducks have to win by more than two touchdowns without LaMichael James. They might do it, but it's crazy to bet more than a sixpack on that point spread.



Key matchup: Oregon's secondary versus the ASU wideouts. The Sun Devils' potent offense has scored 38 points a game this year, and six of the receivers have double-digit receptions. Gerrell Robinson and Mike Willie are both 6-4 and fast, and Aaron Pflugrad (an ex-Duck) runs precise routes and has good hands. Brock Osweiler accounts for 2/3 of the ASU offense through the air, and they mix bubble screen, the zone read running game and effective shots downfield.

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My mock Heisman ballot--who's on yours?

Each week I fill out a mock Heisman ballot for the website College Football Zealots. These are my selections this week, with commentary on each one:


photo left: Luck has all the tangibles and intangibles you could ever want in a college football player. He's a leader and a winner, smart, tough, and fundamentally sound. Unless and until the Cardinal lose 2-3 games, he's the solid choice for the sport's most prestigious individual award (everyjoe.com photo).

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Oregon recruiting: update on the Ducks' new verbal commit, T.J. Daniel

J. Daniel may not be your typical 4 or 5 star Oregon recruit, but his upside is through the roof.


He stands at 6'7 240 pounds, and if you look at his body type, he looks as though he hasn't fully grown into it yet. He gained 20 pounds in the offseason this year, which shows this kid has the work ethic worthy of an Oregon football player.

photo left: With his rangy body and athleticism, T.J. Daniel might remind Duck fans of The Preying Mantis, Dion Jordan (scout.com photo).

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Fabian Moreau update, and other Oregon

"What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve"


                ---Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich

Fabian Moreau continues to think of Oregon as his dream school, and with the results he's producing in Broward County, Florida football, he's doing everything he can to achieve his dream. Young Moreau patterns his game after LaMichael James, and he watched Thursday's victory over Cal with interest. Noting the great performances by James and freshman De'Anthony Thomas, he said, "Yes sir, great game by both of them. I feel like I would fit in the offense pretty well! I love the way they spread the ball around and the fast tempo is exciting . Go ducks!"

But Fabian has been doing some LMJ and Black Momba work of his own. Call him the "Florida Coral Snake" after these numbers:

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Grading the Ducks: Cal at Oregon

Each week at The Duck Stops Here we identify our keys to game. Here's a look at Oregon's grades in game 5.

Give LaMichael James a chance to be great


James had a Heisman-worthy game with 30 carries for 239 yards, and the fat kids living the dream paved the way for long runs of 53, 47 and 30 yards. James was at his electric, creative, explosive, tough-running best in this game, and in particular the receivers and tight ends did a great job of blocking at the second level for both him and Kenjon Barner, who also broke loose with a 68-yard touchdown run, true freshman tight end Colt Lyerla with a key downfield block on that play.

photo left: A superlative season that has included a 90-yard touchdown run suffered a major setback Thursday as LaMicheal James dislocated his elbow. Now the entire team has to respond to replace his enormous contribution. (Corvallis Gazette-Times photo.)

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Keys to the game: Cal at Oregon

Like the whirligig of time, the chess game between coaches has its revenges. Don't expect Cal or Oregon to go purely with what worked and didn't work last year. There will be wrinkles to the wrinkles on both sides, but the principles of sound and successful football remain the same. Take care of the football. Win the individual matchups. As ESPN's Trevor Matich put it, win the confrontations of speed in space.


Last year Cal committed hard to stoppng LaMichael James, giving their front seven one simple assignment: cut off the tailback, be athletic and fly to the football. They did, with enormous success. They held Oregon to their lowest point total of the season, just 2.9 yards a carry on the ground, and a paltry 151 yards through the air. In Berkeley, paced by a brilliant scheme and three star players who are now in the NFL, they frustrated and dominated the Ducks, but only for three quarters. In the fourth quarter Chip Kelly gathered his offense around them and told them to go on the drive of their lives. And they did, holding the football for the last 9:25 of the game, 18 beautifully-executed and determined plays, taking a knee at the Cal 12 to end the game. One touchdown each by Cliff Harris and Jeff Maehl, and all the rest was a triumph of will on a miserable night.

photo left: Jeff Tedford once wore the genius label as an over-achieving mastermind who raised the profile of Cal football. Since then, several late season collapses have tarnished that image. But he always saves his best work for the Ducks. (espn.com photo.)

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How good is Cal? How dangerous is this game?

If the Ducks want to win another conference championship, they have to be mentally prepared for one simple fact: every team on the schedule wants to beat Oregon more than any other team on their schedule, with the possible exception of their traditional rival. In a lot of the cases the traditional rival comes second.

Around the league, the Ducks are cocky and arrogant and privileged. They're the fancy Nike school with the multi-million dollar lockerroom and the sexy cheerleaders. They've administered a lot of embarrassing beatdowns in the last three years, danced in a lot of end zones, and everyone from Aaron Pflugrad to Zach Maynard wants a piece of the Ducks. They want to knock off the school that grabs the headlines and the ESPN facetime. They want to shut up the fast-talking coach. And they want to win a conference title of their own.

photo right: Cal would like nothing better than to administer a stiffarm to Oregon's league title hopes on national TV. (sfgate.com photo)

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Battles won on Rich Brooks Field, and elsewhere

Call Chip Kelly The Granite Fox. Like Rommel before him he has a gift for commanding men, for onslaughts and misdirections, for stratagems that bedevil and mesmerize a superior force. Rommel took 3-star men and materials and extended a war until he ran out of gasoline and had to haul tanks to the front on rail and by horse and wagon. Kelly took a bunch of 24th-rated classes to the National Championship. But Rommel's war was a grim business serving the agent of ultimate evil. Kelly's is a harmless diversion of autumn afternoons, a fit, chaste glory for young men. It's much preferred that the best of a generation receive their wounds and decorations on a painted field, rather than a beach pockmarked by artillery shells and machine gun fire. The horrors of Rommel's glory live in infamy.

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