[BostonCard]

The only thing going right for the Ducks tonight is they are +4 turnovers.  Otherwise, their offense seems to have caught the Stanford bad plays disease (lots of critical penalties, one touchdown in four trips to the red zone), and their defense is incapable of stopping Elliot.  How does a team win the turnover battle by four and lose by 15 (with 6 minutes to go).

BC

[BostonCard]

The only thing going right for the Ducks tonight is they are +4 turnovers.  Otherwise, their offense seems to have caught the Stanford bad plays disease (lots of critical penalties, one touchdown in four trips to the red zone), and their defense is incapable of stopping Elliot.  How does a team win the turnover battle by four and lose by 15 (with 6 minutes to go).

BC

[Langdude]

Well, the Duck DL is getting absolutely manhandled. And, to be honest, I don't think the Oregon DBs have played that well in coverage, which has allowed for some key conversions.

Also, not to get too intangible, but I think they have lacked passion. I think that can happen in teams that are used to playing with the lead. I remember a similar body language when we beat them three years ago.

-m.

[Langdude]

Well, the Duck DL is getting absolutely manhandled. And, to be honest, I don't think the Oregon DBs have played that well in coverage, which has allowed for some key conversions.

Also, not to get too intangible, but I think they have lacked passion. I think that can happen in teams that are used to playing with the lead. I remember a similar body language when we beat them three years ago.

-m.

[g1313]

How is it possible that OSU has three championship-caliber quarterbacks on their roster?

Did you see the play where the ducks almost gave up one of their touchdowns when the receiver threw the ball away after barely crossing the goal line? They were down by 11 at the time. Unbelievable.

[g1313]

How is it possible that OSU has three championship-caliber quarterbacks on their roster?

Did you see the play where the ducks almost gave up one of their touchdowns when the receiver threw the ball away after barely crossing the goal line? They were down by 11 at the time. Unbelievable.

[dabigv13]

How is it possible that OSU has three championship-caliber quarterbacks on their roster?

Well it helps when you're recruiting guys that ain't come to play school.

[dabigv13]

How is it possible that OSU has three championship-caliber quarterbacks on their roster?

Well it helps when you're recruiting guys that ain't come to play school.

[OutsiderFan]

The whole key to the Ohio State offense was splitting three WRs on one side of the field and leaving the TE as an ineligible receiver.  Oregon spent all last offseason preparing to handle Stanford's jumbo set and did a fairly good job at it, though a Stanford-Oregon game tonight probably would have seen Stanford score a lot more points than in November when the O was still struggling.  The Ducks were not ready for a physical run game that took advantage of fewer guys in the box. 

[OutsiderFan]

The whole key to the Ohio State offense was splitting three WRs on one side of the field and leaving the TE as an ineligible receiver.  Oregon spent all last offseason preparing to handle Stanford's jumbo set and did a fairly good job at it, though a Stanford-Oregon game tonight probably would have seen Stanford score a lot more points than in November when the O was still struggling.  The Ducks were not ready for a physical run game that took advantage of fewer guys in the box. 

[standfan]

[quote author=g1313 link=topic=11530.msg110684#msg110684 date=1421125548]
How is it possible that OSU has three championship-caliber quarterbacks on their roster?

Well it helps when you're recruiting guys that ain't come to play school.
[/quote]

It helps when your OL dominates and gives the QB all day to throw when not creating 5 foot holes for the RB.

[standfan]

[quote author=g1313 link=topic=11530.msg110684#msg110684 date=1421125548]
How is it possible that OSU has three championship-caliber quarterbacks on their roster?

Well it helps when you're recruiting guys that ain't come to play school.
[/quote]

It helps when your OL dominates and gives the QB all day to throw when not creating 5 foot holes for the RB.

[pcgoode]

Oregon's red zone offence wasn't very good either. By my count they could have 15 more points by converting two field goals and a fourth down to touchdowns.

[pcgoode]

Oregon's red zone offence wasn't very good either. By my count they could have 15 more points by converting two field goals and a fourth down to touchdowns.

[pokey]

Did you see the play where the ducks almost gave up one of their touchdowns when the receiver threw the ball away after barely crossing the goal line? They were down by 11 at the time. Unbelievable.

What was even more stunning is that Oregon *did* lose a TD against Utah (although ultimately that one didn't matter) this year.  You'd think that they would have learned not to repeat that.

(Edit: I had this the other way around; Utah was the offending party, and Oregon scooped up the fumble and scored on the other end.)

[pokey]

Did you see the play where the ducks almost gave up one of their touchdowns when the receiver threw the ball away after barely crossing the goal line? They were down by 11 at the time. Unbelievable.

What was even more stunning is that Oregon *did* lose a TD against Utah (although ultimately that one didn't matter) this year.  You'd think that they would have learned not to repeat that.

(Edit: I had this the other way around; Utah was the offending party, and Oregon scooped up the fumble and scored on the other end.)

[BostonCard]

Also, not to get too intangible, but I think they have lacked passion. I think that can happen in teams that are used to playing with the lead. I remember a similar body language when we beat them three years ago.

-m.

I agree.  It shockingly didn't look like they had it in them.  Receivers were dropping passes, they were committing unnecessary penalties.  Probably should have suspected something when Carrington tested positive; this is your best shot at a national championship, and you take a risk by smoking pot?

BC

[BostonCard]

Also, not to get too intangible, but I think they have lacked passion. I think that can happen in teams that are used to playing with the lead. I remember a similar body language when we beat them three years ago.

-m.

I agree.  It shockingly didn't look like they had it in them.  Receivers were dropping passes, they were committing unnecessary penalties.  Probably should have suspected something when Carrington tested positive; this is your best shot at a national championship, and you take a risk by smoking pot?

BC

[OutsiderFan]

History says when teams get blown out in championship games, they take a big step backward.  All I know is the postseason has revealed information that suggests Stanford will be the favorite to win the PAC-12 North in 2015 if Hogan returns, and it will be pretty wide open if he doesn't.  USC will assume its natural birthright (to fans and media) as prohibitive favorites in the South.

[OutsiderFan]

History says when teams get blown out in championship games, they take a big step backward.  All I know is the postseason has revealed information that suggests Stanford will be the favorite to win the PAC-12 North in 2015 if Hogan returns, and it will be pretty wide open if he doesn't.  USC will assume its natural birthright (to fans and media) as prohibitive favorites in the South.

[ChicagoCard]

(Edit: I had this the other way around; Utah was the offending party, and Oregon scooped up the fumble and scored on the other end.)

[tweet]554848304685531136[/tweet]

[ChicagoCard]

(Edit: I had this the other way around; Utah was the offending party, and Oregon scooped up the fumble and scored on the other end.)

[tweet]554848304685531136[/tweet]

[Bruce Wang]

How is it possible that OSU has three championship-caliber quarterbacks on their roster?

Urban Meyer.  The system.  The coaching.  The recruiting.

The unsung hero of this championship:  Terrell Pryor.

[Bruce Wang]

How is it possible that OSU has three championship-caliber quarterbacks on their roster?

Urban Meyer.  The system.  The coaching.  The recruiting.

The unsung hero of this championship:  Terrell Pryor.

[Bruce Wang]

The Ducks have an old school football problem.

[Bruce Wang]

The Ducks have an old school football problem.

[StanFan88]

History says when teams get blown out in championship games, they take a big step backward.  All I know is the postseason has revealed information that suggests Stanford will be the favorite to win the PAC-12 North in 2015 if Hogan returns, and it will be pretty wide open if he doesn't.  U$€ will assume its natural birthright (to fans and media) as prohibitive favorites in the South.

Glass half-full:  Stanford has the depth and coaching on defense to reload once again.  The offense will return 8 or 9 starters and a coaching staff that appeared to learn its lesson (albeit slowly) over the season about developing gameplans that are aligned to the actual talent on the field.

Glass half-empty:  The defense has completely turned over in two years - this will present a significant challenge regardless of how great the personnel & coaching are.  And although there are 8 or 9 returning starters on offense they are returning from was not exactly a world-beater.

Preseason top 25 sure, but favorites to win the North?  Not so sure.  Oregon will not likely be as good but the dropoff won't be that great.  The bigger problem is that the other four teams are unlikely to finish better than 5-4.  Could be that the two or even three best teams in the conference are all in the South next year.

[StanFan88]

History says when teams get blown out in championship games, they take a big step backward.  All I know is the postseason has revealed information that suggests Stanford will be the favorite to win the PAC-12 North in 2015 if Hogan returns, and it will be pretty wide open if he doesn't.  U$€ will assume its natural birthright (to fans and media) as prohibitive favorites in the South.

Glass half-full:  Stanford has the depth and coaching on defense to reload once again.  The offense will return 8 or 9 starters and a coaching staff that appeared to learn its lesson (albeit slowly) over the season about developing gameplans that are aligned to the actual talent on the field.

Glass half-empty:  The defense has completely turned over in two years - this will present a significant challenge regardless of how great the personnel & coaching are.  And although there are 8 or 9 returning starters on offense they are returning from was not exactly a world-beater.

Preseason top 25 sure, but favorites to win the North?  Not so sure.  Oregon will not likely be as good but the dropoff won't be that great.  The bigger problem is that the other four teams are unlikely to finish better than 5-4.  Could be that the two or even three best teams in the conference are all in the South next year.

[washingtonismoney]

The Ducks have an old school football problem.

Very odd interpretation. Urban Meyer's basically admitted he's stolen a ton of schematic stuff from Oregon.

The difference between OSU and Oregon is that OSU was running the same stuff...just with much, much better athletes. The problem with your Stanfords and Oregons is that, for whatever reason, when they're elite they tend to get their talent clustered on one side of the ball. Stanford defense + Oregon offense would've been a fair fight against the Buckeyes, of course.

By contrast, your OSUs and (sigh) SCs and Alabamas tend you get brobdingnagian agglomerations of elite talent. It's a structural problem.

[washingtonismoney]

The Ducks have an old school football problem.

Very odd interpretation. Urban Meyer's basically admitted he's stolen a ton of schematic stuff from Oregon.

The difference between OSU and Oregon is that OSU was running the same stuff...just with much, much better athletes. The problem with your Stanfords and Oregons is that, for whatever reason, when they're elite they tend to get their talent clustered on one side of the ball. Stanford defense + Oregon offense would've been a fair fight against the Buckeyes, of course.

By contrast, your OSUs and (sigh) SCs and Alabamas tend you get brobdingnagian agglomerations of elite talent. It's a structural problem.

[Hulk01]

And we thought we badly need a nose tackle next season

Balducci is jelly.

When Cardale ko’d him, I thought, "What a fitting ending."

You want your nose guy to occupy two blockers.  Balducci wasn’t occupying one.

[Hulk01]

And we thought we badly need a nose tackle next season

Balducci is jelly.

When Cardale ko’d him, I thought, "What a fitting ending."

You want your nose guy to occupy two blockers.  Balducci wasn’t occupying one.

[Bruce Wang]

[quote author=Publius link=topic=11530.msg110703#msg110703 date=1421160100]
The Ducks have an old school football problem.

Very odd interpretation. Urban Meyer's basically admitted he's stolen a ton of schematic stuff from Oregon.

[/quote]

I'm thinking of the talented and disciplined defenses the traditional powers field, along with a power running game to control the clock.

[Bruce Wang]

[quote author=Publius link=topic=11530.msg110703#msg110703 date=1421160100]
The Ducks have an old school football problem.

Very odd interpretation. Urban Meyer's basically admitted he's stolen a ton of schematic stuff from Oregon.

[/quote]

I'm thinking of the talented and disciplined defenses the traditional powers field, along with a power running game to control the clock.

[stupac2]

I'm thinking of the talented and disciplined defenses the traditional powers field, along with a power running game to control the clock.

I thought OSU was mostly running zone stuff. I didn't really notice any pulling. Definitely some option mixed in there too.

[stupac2]

I'm thinking of the talented and disciplined defenses the traditional powers field, along with a power running game to control the clock.

I thought OSU was mostly running zone stuff. I didn't really notice any pulling. Definitely some option mixed in there too.

[Hulk01]

Ohio State's bread and butter play all night was BIM-O: power to the weak side with the strong side guard and H back pulling.  Looks even better with Elliot toting the ball, of course. 

[Hulk01]

Ohio State's bread and butter play all night was BIM-O: power to the weak side with the strong side guard and H back pulling.  Looks even better with Elliot toting the ball, of course. 

[Hulk01]

With thanks to Coy Wire, here's the play that killed the Ducks.  (Clicking on the image should blow it up several times.)

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Hulk01]

With thanks to Coy Wire, here's the play that killed the Ducks.  (Clicking on the image should blow it up several times.)

[attachment deleted by admin]