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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Can LaMichael win LaHeisman?

All elective races have their outrages and miseries. Be it President, Prime Minister or Pope, or American Idol Season 5, there are shining moments where a great talent ascends, and years where the white smoke rises for a muddling fool who adds nothing to history. Sometimes, the race goes not to the swift but to some hick with fortunate timing and a dim future. As veteran observers, we tailor our expectations accordingly.


(photo left: LaMichael James, at last December's Heisman Awards ceremony. Getty images photo)
So too with the Heisman trophy. In week four of college football, The Heisman Pundit polls 13 likely voters and declares the two most eligible candidates are Andrew Luck (a reasonable and supportable choice) followed closely by Robert Griffin the Third of Baylor. The three also-rans of the moment are Kellen Moore, Marcus Lattimore and Case Keenum of Houston. Denard Robinson is a distant sixth. LaMichael James, the leading rusher in the country with 613 yards, 7 touchdowns and a gaudy 9.4 yard average, wasn't named on a single straw ballot. The Pundit himself, Chris Huston, also an actual Heisman voter, says James has only a dim chance with the voters for college football's most prestigious individual award:
 
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

How important is a Heisman Trophy to Oregon's success?

By itself, the Heisman isn't important to Oregon or LaMichael James. Chip Kelly told Adam Jude and the rest of the PAC-12 writers today that James is a thoroughly unselfish player, and the only awards he cares about are team awards. The Ducks want to win the next game, and that's all they focus on. Pressed to be honest, most of them might admit they want another conference title and a shot at the Rose Bowl. But the next game is the meaningful building block, beating a Cal team with a strong-armed quarterback and two fast 6-3 receivers, Keenan Allen and Marvin Jones.


photo right: The Ducks haven't yet mastered the SEC, but LaMichael James two biggest games last season came in Oregon's biggest conference matchups of the year, Stanford and USC. (outside the pressbox.com photo)

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Gang Green? SEC? Duck fans want perfection, or at least a few more stops

Like their coach, Duck fans have become perfectionists. Chip Kelly, asked on Sunday about the Oregon running game, which rolled up 415 yards on Arizona after 416 yards on Missouri, and Kelly responded in his clipped New England interview voice that it could be better.


The Ducks won by 25 on the road in the conference opener, and most Duck fans, talking to their Duck buddies on Sunday and Monday, came to the same conclusion. It could be better. Darron Thomas, sharp and consistent in the passing game in two home wins, misfired downfield with receivers open. And the defense gave up almost 400 yards passing and 31 points.

Winning by 25 on the road in the conference opener wasn’t enough. GD58, one of the commenters at The Duck Stops Here, wrote, “I’d just love it if we had the kind of fast, smart and hard hitting defense that evokes the Gang Green of years not too long ago.”

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Monday, September 26, 2011

Upon further review: the ruling on the field stands

Check the play-by-play at ESPN.com. Here are the results of Arizona's first six possessions: punt, punt, field goal, punt, punt, punt. Here are the results of Oregon's first seven possessions:


LaMichael James rush for 12 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. OREGON drive: 8 plays 80 yards, 02:42 OREGON TD

photo left: any time Chip Kelly leads the Oregon team on the field, Oregon fans have grown to expect not just a win, but a dominating win. We worry because we care.

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In case you missed it: Oregon at Arizona rewind, with defensive stats

Question: when you watch a game on TV, what do you want from the announcers?


One thing I don't want is a lot of blather and rehash of how great the SEC is or what happened in another game in another conference a few hours ago. I'd like for 90% of the talk (and the commentary doesn't have to be constant--an occasional visual interlude with just the crowd noise and the sounds of the game is actually refreshing) to be focused on the last play and the next play and the storylines that are developing in the game.

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Sunday, September 25, 2011

Grading the Ducks vs Arizona

This edition of the Oregon Ducks offense may be the best yet, for two reasons: they have fewer negative plays, with the offensive line developing some great consistency in pushing the pile and creating lanes, and they are better at getting out of a negative situations.


Against Arizona the Ducks only faced 9 third downs all night and converted four of those, and when they missed, they converted two out of two on fourth down. The running game was relentless and versatile, with a record-setting day by LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner providing a hard-running counterpunch, and Darron Thomas picking his spots perfectly cutting back into the center of the defense.

photo left: LaMichael James was at his darting, tough-running best against Arizona last night, setting school records for rushing and all-purpose yards. (photo oregonsportsfans.blogspot.com from the UCLA game in James redshirt freshman season, 2009)

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Saturday, September 24, 2011

Keys to the game, Oregon at Arizona

Oregon opens PAC-12 play with a road game at Arizona, and again the crucial thing is not merely winning but playing in a way that shows improvement and gets the team ready for October and November, an eight-week battle to defend their conference title. Here are some of the key factors in the Ducks' PAC-12 opener:


Keeping the Zona Zoo on their side of the mythical moat

Several Oregon players have said they relish competing in a hostile environment, notably starting quarterback Darron Thomas, who basically challenged the Wildcat fans to bring their worst, batteries and all. (Rule number one: always keep your helmet on, entering or leaving the field on the road.)

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Friday, September 23, 2011

Game four preducktion: Oregon at Arizona

Any time a team starts conference play on the road, particularly a night game before a raucous crowd in the desert heat, there's reason to be nervous. The game's on national TV and has a late start (7:15 on ESPN2, Comcast channel 36 in Portland and the Willamette Valley).


Add that Arizona is a dangerous opponent for the Ducks. The two schools have played some memorable games in Tucson, a 44-41 double overtime Duck victory that set up a Civil War for the Rose Bowl in 2009, Dennis Dixon and Kellen Clemens going down with season-ending injuries in 2007 and 2005. The Ducks haven't lost often in conference play over the last few years, but the road trip to the desert has overheated their engine a couple of times. Bad things happen in terrain nature meant for snakes and predators, particularly after dark.

photo right: Cliff Harris reportedly had his best week of practice, and is poised for a bigger role against Arizona. The Ducks will need him to contain Arizona's potent aerial attack (photo courtesy FootballsFuture.com).

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

The hidden danger posed by Arizona and a night game on the road

After two big wins against cream puffs, the Oregon Ducks start conference play on the road in the Arizona desert. It will be a night game before a raucous crowd, with high energy and expectation, at least at the start of the game.


Oregon fans have been spoiled the last two years. The wins have been plentiful and easy, with the Ducks blowing most of their conference opponents away by three touchdowns or more. Last year even Washington, USC and Stanford fell by big margins. We've forgotten how many ways there are to lose a football game, and that undefeated conference seasons are rare, not easy.

photo right: Bob Knight hated the term, but Chip Kelly will have his game face on Saturday night. The Ducks will come out to a shower of batteries and spilled beer, but what will they go home to? (huffingtonpost.com photo)

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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Duck Tracks: Stuff you should know, or turn in your fan card

Highlights, facts, tidbits and vital knowledge about Justin Hoffman, LaMichael James, receiver blocking, Jackson Rice, Eric Dungy, Colt Lyler, Eric Dungy and others. Love your Ducks? Know why they're so lovable.

photo at left: Hoffman's work ethic, tenacious blocking and mastery of assignments have made him a starter. The talent freshmen are a year away. (goducks.com photo)

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The five best developments in a new season of Ducks football

Chip Kelly's teams won two straight conference championships because they kept getting better. They stayed hungry and bought in to the "Win the Day" vision, treated every game like the most important one of the year. They didn't overlook anybody, and prepared hard each week.


We'll know in a few weeks if this team has that kind of leadership and staying power. But one thing is certain, even after three games. There are several encouraging signs that indicate this group is on schedule to be the best of the three.

photo right: De'Anthony Thomas' emergence as an immediate impact player and complement to LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner has opened up even more possibilities for a potent offense (koinlocal6.com photo).

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Thomas Tyner, Oregon Duck Football 2013 prospect, runs a 10.38 10

Last season Thomas Tyner ran for 1555 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11.55 yards a carry while leading his Aloha High team to a 6A State Championship. As a sophomore. He's already surpassed 2500 yards for his high school career, as well as being the one the fastest high school 100 meter sprinters in the country, clocking 10.38 seconds in the Metro League Championships last spring.

see Tyner's record-setting sprint

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Monday, September 19, 2011

Oregon Ducks recruiting: an update on Duck commits and prospects, and one player with a Duck dream

Updates on the high school seasons of Duck commits Jake Rodrigues, Evan Baylis, and Oshay Dunmore, plus wide receiver prospect Gehrig Dieter and The Duck Stops Here correspondent Fabian Moreau.

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A view of the Ducks from the Big 12/SEC

Jeremy Hicks, Livefyre Community Manager and longtime Texas A&M fan, weighs in with a breakdown of Oregon's schedule and the Ducks' prospects in the BCS race.

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[photo at right: The high-flying #8 Aggies host #7 Oklahoma State on Saturday, a game that has big BCS and ranking implications for the Ducks. gossipz.net photo]

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Grading the Ducks vs. Missouri

Yesterday at The Duck Stops Here we talked about three keys to the game for Oregon against the Bears. Victory wasn't in doubt, but fans were a little incredulous after the opening drive. What was crucially important was showing good signs for the future. Here's a breakdown of the Ducks' progress in game three:


photo at left: LaMichael James sprints 90 yards with his second of three rushing tds on the way to 231 all-purpose yards. Yeah, he's still fast. (Corvallis Gazette-Times photo)

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Saturday, September 17, 2011

New stories at duckstopshere.com

Pregame Blog and comment space, Missouri at Oregon

Live game blog, Missouri at Oregon

Post game notes, stats and observations

Read these stories at duckstopshere.com

Join the post-game conversation, and follow us on Twitter @Dale_Newton

Friday, September 16, 2011

Game Three Preducktion: Missouri at Oregon

This isn't a James Madison or Appalachian State looming for an upset. The Mossouri State Bears, while brave for coming west to collect their pay day, are the dregs of the Missouri Valley conference. They don't have the depth or talent to beat a BCS team, let alone one of the best in the country.


But how bad will it be for the Bears?

photo at left: Chip Kelly will lead them out of the tunnel, but how focused will they be against a second overmatched opponent? (katu.com photo)

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Friday run-through: news, notes and stuff to know for Missouri State versus Oregon

Chip Kelly calls De'Anthony Thomas a "one-timer," meaning, he's the kind of athlete you only have to tell one time about a technique or a correction and he gets it. The kid made a rapid improvement in his second game, breaking out for two touchdowns and a 180 all-purpose yards after having two costly fumbles in the opener.


Thomas told ESPN, "I just didn't want to make those mistakes anymore," he said. "I was working hard all week about ball security. So I just had the ball high and tight. Every time I run, just high and tight." After two games he's Oregon's leading receiver with 8 catches for 140 yards and the two touchdowns, second-leading rusher with 12 carries for 103 yards (a gaudy 8.6-yard average), and he's on pace for over 2100 all-purpose yards as a true freshman. The Oregon record is 2481 by Jonathan Stewart in 2007. It's still early, but Thomas may have a freshman season for all-time. Expect him to make another down payment on greatness tomorrow against the Bears.

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Thursday, September 15, 2011

Ducks have plenty of work to do on Saturday

Oregon isn't yet a complete football team. The talent and potential is amazing, but if they mail it in against the Missouri State Bears on Saturday, they may have trouble with the Cal Bears in October. This is a team that will have to get better every week to achieve as much as they have have in the last two seasons.


Nick Aliotti's defense ranks 108th nationally in run defense. That's uncharacteristic for the veteran head coach, who's spent 19 years at Oregon in three stints. His unit hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher, just two 99s and a 92. That's concerning, because Chris Polk and Stepfan Taylor are on the schedule. Aliotti's trademark has always been to make the opponent one dimensional, and Nevada looked far too dimensional racking up 506 yards of offense. Containing the run is crucial. It creates more of those 2nd and 11, third and eight or more situations where the defense has the advantage. That's when most turnovers happen. Nevada ran downhill with consistency on the defense, and in the second half, LSU did too.

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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Don't believe the snipe--The Oregon Ducks face a formidable opponent on Saturday

Missouri State is the team on the opposite sideline, but Oregon's true opponents on Saturday are Complacency, Over-Confidence and The Failure to Improve.


A lackluster effort against an 0-2 FCS school won't cost them the game, but it could cost the Ducks one later. Missouri State would have trouble beating Portland State. If money were no object, they would come West to play Portland State or Chico, and that's a game the Bears, picked to finish last in the Missouri Valley conference, could play heads up. They're coming to Autzen to collect a paycheck, and don't have more than two or three players that could crack the Oregon two-deep. It's a replacement game, against some not very dangerous people.

photo at left: the Ducks can show up dazed and confused on Saturday and do pretty well, but if they're not careful, they'll wind up sharing their spicy cheese pizza with the rest of the conference. (espn.com photo)

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Fabian Moreau, Week two highlights

"My dream is to be a Duck," Moreau says, and the 6-foot, 180-pound running back is doing all he can to move up in the high school running back rankings, breaking out with two big games in his first action of his senior year. He's been an all-purpose wonder running and receiving, showing a much-improved burst and open field cutting ability.


Moreau runs upright but has good balance and vision. His early season highlights are splashy with big plays, an excellent receiver out of the backfield.

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Sunday, September 11, 2011

Is the defensive line a fatal weakness for the 2011 Oregon Duck football team?

In the first half of the LSU game Duck fans had to be pleased with the defensive play, especially against the run. The Ducks made stops in the first half with their backs against the wall, showing they could play like last year's opportunistic defense. Anthony Gildon looked like a shut down corner making plays down the field and coming up to make tackles. They went into the locker room down 16-13, after giving up just one sustained drive.


The second half however, was a different story.

photo: Jerry Azzinaro puts his defensive troops through another intense teaching session. Can he mold this group into a more effective unit by the start of PAC-12 play? (Photo Mark Yien, Albany Democrat-Herald)


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Grading the Ducks: Nevada at Oregon

Saturday's 69-20 victory was the decisive, confidence-building victory the Ducks needed after a demoralizing loss to LSU in week one.


Yesterday morning at The Duck Stops Here we identified six keys to the game. Let's take a look to see how the Ducks did in those six key areas, keeping in mind that a big win yesterday is just the first step in a 90-day march to a successful season.

photo at right: LaMichael James scampers for daylight in yesterday's 69-20 victory. Reports of him having lost a step were greatly exaggerated. (abc.com photo)

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Saturday, September 10, 2011

Keys to the game: Nevada at Oregon

Four-touchdown favorites on the streets of Glitter Gulch, the Ducks have to win the game in the trenches of Autzen, or a promising season will go bust on the second hand. To avoid a Boise State-like debacle and a horrifying tale Duck fans will tell their grandchildren by the fire at future campouts, these are a few things to look for this afternoon in the frenzied confines of the biggest little stadium in the world:

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Friday, September 9, 2011

Game two preducktion: Nevada at Oregon

Nevada deserves respect for a number of reasons. One, they were willing to go on the road and schedule a team like Oregon for their opening game. They are defending Western Athletic Conference Co-Champions. They finished 13-1 last season with victories over Cal, Boise State and Boston College. They run an innovative offense which their coach invented, and he's in the College Football Hall of Fame, one of only two active coaches to be so honored. Like the Ducks, they play fast and physical and fly around on defense.

The Wolfpack have gone to bowl games six seasons in a row. Most of them were minor, but even so, they've accomplished two things in the last two years that the Ducks haven't: they beat Boise State, and won a bowl game. Something to keep in mind, while counting this one as in the bag.

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An update on Fabian Moreau, a Florida diamond in the rough

In July The Duck Stops Here ran a recruiting story on an undersized Florida high school running back named Fabian Moreau, "Why recruiting services are both necessary and evil." Moreau had sent a polite email with his high school highlight tape and measurables. "My dream is to be a Duck," Moreau wrote.

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Thursday, September 8, 2011

Friday run-through: notes, quotes and conversation for Nevada at Oregon

This weekend and next, Oregon isn't just playing Nevada and SW Missouri State. They are also competing against themselves and their potential, and preparing to face Nick Foles, Matt Barkley, and Andrew Luck. They have to get better. They have to find their relentlessness and rhythm.

The games get tougher and more important when PAC-12 play begins, and all the kinks and questions need to be out of the way. By week four, Oregon has to know who their go-to receiver is, how they can get the running game going and who will make plays on defense. They need some sacks, and to create some turnovers of their own. Most of all, they need genuine confidence, which only comes from results and execution.

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Delivering the Maehl: Can Oregon find its next great receiver?

Oregon has a great tradition at the receiver position. There have been only a handful of stud defensive tackles and dominating middle linebackers, but even in the bad old days, the Ducks have always had one or two fast, exciting or dependable guys to go up and get the football. Jeff Maehl, who had 77 catches, 1076 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, is the latest in a long and glorious line. Here are a few fan favorites: Cristin McLemore, Tony Hartley, Pat Johnson, Samie Parker, Keenan Howry, Demetrius Williams, Lew Barnes, Bobby Moore and Terry Obee.

The crucial question is, who is the next one? One thing that was glaringly obvious in the LSU game was, Darron Thomas hasn't found that reliable, explosive, game-changing target at receiver just yet. The passing game lacked synchronicity and cohesion. Oh, Josh Huff, Lavasier Tuinei, young De'Anthony Thomas and even LaMichael James had their moments catching the football, but after one game, no one has established themselves as the go-to guy or a game changer on passing downs.

photo at left: Tony Hartley, one of Tony Graziani and Akili Smith's favorite targets, ran every route hard and was dangerous after the catch (bleacherreport.com photo)

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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Adam "Indiana" Kendall with a fan proposal that just might work: A rematch with LSU in 2012?

The Ducks have some holes to fill on their 2012 schedule. Currently at goducks.com, there are just nine games, and an open date on September 3rd. Another source called fbsschedules.com has them with Arkansas State on September 3rd, followed by Fresno State, Montana State and then the PAC-? schedule to be determined.
Reader Adam "Indiana" Kendall offers an intriguing solution on his Facebook page:

I think LSU and Oregon should play a return match at Century Link Field (the home stadium of the Seattle Seahawks) next September 3rd. It would be a "home" game for the Ducks, with LSU giving up a home date with North Texas.

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Tales from the stat sheet: Did LaMichael James peak at 20?


According to an article by Chris Huston of The Heisman Pundit, LaMichael James "has become a shadow of the darting, nimble, explosive player he once was." He cites LMJ's weight gain and seeming tentativeness in the LSU game as signs James is no longer the elite back who earned the Doak Walker Award and an invitation to New York last season. Huston points out that since Oregon's all-time rushing leader busted loose for 239 yards in game 7 against the Trojans, "he has averaged just 95 yards and 4.0 yards per carry."

James himself was visibly frustrated after the LSU game, vowing to"run the way I want to" for the rest of the season.

photo at left: Oregon's all-time rushing leader, blowing by the Oregon State defense as a redshirt freshman. (courtesy zimbio.com)


Was it a mistake for LaMichael to add bulk? Has he lost a step? Take a look at those last six games (statistics from espn.com):

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Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Proof of Life: things to look for in the Oregon-Nevada game

If the Ducks can get to 3-1, fans will start to feel better about this season. They're home against Nevada, home against SW Missouri State, at Arizona for the rest of September, then a bye week on September 30th before facing an improved and dangerous California team in Autzen Stadium on October 6, a Thursday night game on ESPN.


But that's too much looking ahead. Oregon needs to show some good signs against Nevada, to regain confidence and build momentum for the conference dogfight. The LSU game showed clearly they have to improve every week to become a good football team. This is a younger team than many fans realized, although Coach Kelly warned fans before the season. They have just 11 seniors. While talented, Oregon isn't to the level where they can reload rather than rebuild. Younger players have to get up to speed, and each unit has to find its identity and cohesion. They have to learn what they do well and how to execute in games. Here are some things to look for against the Wolfpack:

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Monday, September 5, 2011

Taking redemption in one-week doses: a first look at Oregon vs Nevada

The best antidote for a miserable, demoralizing loss is a confidence-building win. The Ducks play host to the Nevada Wolfpack on Saturday in Autzen Stadium, and their goal is to be inhospitable and vengeful hosts.


But the Wolfpack are an unknown quantity: they took last week off and have the blessing of an extra week of preparation and no in-game bumps and bruises, while the Ducks have several of unknown severity. Rob Moseley reported Kenjon Barner left Cowboys Stadium in a walking boot, and nearly every Duck suffers from at least severely-wounded pride as they begin preparations for their opponent in game two.

photo at right: The Wolfpack will be amped for a showdown with a PAC-12 opponent, and the Ducks would be foolish to overlook them. (photo courtesy betsbg.com)

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Grading the Ducks: LSU

The good news is, these aren't final grades. This is a 10-point quiz in the first week of class. Oregon is still the defending conference champion. They control their own destiny for the Rose Bowl and a very successful season, and they can use this experience to develop leadership and become a better football team. They get to play Nevada at Autzen Stadium in five days, and rediscover the fun of playing football again, before a loud, enthusiastic and positive crowd. A solid performance in game two will make game one far less important and painful.

photo top left: LSU's Michael Ford finds running room in the second half against a worn-out Oregon defense. (msnfoxsports photo)


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Sunday, September 4, 2011

This one stings worst of all

For now, all the stereotypes about Oregon football are true. They can't win big games. They can't compete against elite offensive and defensive lines, or teams with extra time to prepare. They're a fraud, a soft school from a soft conference. When you lose 40-27 and look abysmal doing it, analysts and opposing fans can say whatever they want. It was a beating on a neutral field, artificial turf with nuetral officials. All that's left is to regroup and try to defend the conference championship, play for the Rose Bowl.


In that respect, it isn't a done season. The Ducks have two winnable home games to regroup and find their leadership and focus. They should lose a little swagger after this. That wouldn't hurt. It's clear the 2011 team will have to earn every victory. They'll need to improve every week, find a downfield passing game, and two dependable blockers for the left side of the offensive line. They'll need to get Cliff Harris back to return punts, and teach young and promising De'Anthony Thomas to hang on to the football.

photo top left: It may be a while before the Ducks are featured on the Game Day Show. They'll have to earn their way back. (photo courtesy espn.com)

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Saturday, September 3, 2011

Keys to the game, Oregon versus LSU: defense

photo courtesy bleacherreport.com
#3 Oregon's defense must contain the run and get pressure on the passer.


Les Miles looked right into the camera, as serious and unsilly as he has ever been. It was Wednesday of game week, and he told the expectant LSU media, "We're going to run the football."

Not a surprise, but it neatly sums up the challenge for Nick Aliotti's defense. Bayou Bengals tailback Spencer Ware is a 5-11 227-lb. bruising operating behind a big, experienced defensive line. He darts, slashes, stiff arms, jukes, cuts against the grain, busts up into hole, drags tacklers, and leaves them grasping air. He has good speed and a dangerous top gear. LSU beat writer Jim Kleinpeter says he's faster than the departed Stevan Ridley, a 1000-yard rusher for the Tigers last year..

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Keys to the game, Oregon versus LSU: the downfield passing game

#2 Ducks must establish some balance, moving the ball effectively and reliably through the air.


There were some hitches in the giddy-up of the downfield passing game in fall camp. Losing Jeff Maehl and Drew Davis in the off season, the hope was Josh Huff would step in to a playmaker role in the Duck aerial attack, and promising newcomers like Rahsaan Vaughn, Devon Blackmon and Tacoi Sumler would acclimate quickly and establish themselves as genuine deep threats.

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Keys to the Game, Oregon versus LSU: offensive line

#1: Oregon's offensive line must be effective, cohesive and consistent.
Steve Greatwood's retooled offensive line has to adapt and overcome quickly in a big opening game on the road. They'll face a wall of noise and a blockade of mayhem, a large, rabid crowd urging on an elite defensive line. The assumption by SEC honks is that the Tigers' big, physical front four will be able to overwhelm, disrupt and penetrate inside.

Defensive coordinator John Chavis hopes to blow up and frustrate the Oregon running game the way Auburn, Cal, Ohio State and Boise State have done previously. LSU will rotate an impressive group in the d-line, including 300-lb. tackles Michael Brockers and 5-star freshmen Anthony "The Freak" Johnson (LSU's Nick Fairley impersonator) and agile defensive end Sam Montgomery and a representative from the all-name team Barkevious Mingo, a 6-5, 240-lb. defensive end who punches alligators between the eyes for off-season amusement (not really, but he's quick and tough to block).

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Thursday, September 1, 2011

Stroupinator's pregame blast: Number one with a bullet, or hopelessly outgunned?

Guest Post by Robert "Stroupinator Stroup
JPAICVCBXZKUWFI_20100428185213“Bullets beat bowling balls” used to be a famous saying for Oregon. "We base our recruiting, we base everything we do on speed,” Chip Kelly once said. “We do live in Tracktown, USA.” In the late 2000s, one could argue that Oregon’s penchant for shooting “bullets” became sort of a rallying cry. The Ducks wisely, methodically and in a workmanlike style used speed and conditioning to gas opponents, no matter the size. Teams with the bulk of USC, Tennessee and Michigan all succumbed to the tempo, which at times was dizzying.

It’s odd. We don’t hear those four words that begin with “B” anymore. Why is that?

Photo at left: The critics point to three games to negate the successes of 22. Bullets? Bowling Balls? What about two straight conference titles and 47 points a game? Something's working, but to Stroup, the gun isn't properly loaded-editor.

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Week One prediction: Oregon versus LSU

It's been six months of talking, and everybody's had their say, the true believers and the hardened skeptics, including those who think the past dictates the future, or another game played in another place by a different group of players is the certain destiny of this one...

photo at right: the uniforms will be different, but the readiness will be the same. Chip Kelly's led the Ducks to two conference titles, and now he's ready to lead them to a new level of excellence. (photo courtesy johnnyballgameshow.com)

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