OT: 2017 Ducks and Beavers Football Thread

[Wizenheimer]

I'm a Duck fan so of course I gave the Ducks the top billing....

anyway, the Ducks are 2-0 but there are a lot of questions about them. Start with the defense; last season, the Ducks finished 13th in the 12 team conference in most defensive stats. So far, the defense looks better but the Pac-12 severely tests a defense and I think the Ducks will fail a lot of those tests. It won't be like the spectacular failure of last season, but they will very likely finish in the bottom half of the conference in most defensive stats....maybe even the bottom 3rd. But that would actually be a major improvement

Offensively, the Ducks are strong. They have a top-tier group of running backs with a very good O-Line in front of them. Justin Herbert is a very good QB who will probably play in the NFL. The receiving corp is inexperienced, but they have great speed and quickness...same for the tight ends

after a 4-8 season last year, the Ducks may reverse that record and win 8 games. It will be a tall task for them but it's quite possible. It gets really difficult next weekend having to go to Laramie, Wyoming and play at 7215 foot elevation ....not sure why the Ducks scheduled that road game. Very little upside for a win, and plenty of downside for a loss

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as for the Beavers....yeeeeeesh!!!

if Portland State hadn't shot themselves in the feet, several times, OSU could be seriously looking at a 0-12 season. They have looked that bad

The Beaver AD must be seriously worried about what's happened so far, especially considering they signed Gary Anderson to an extension till 2021 after the Civil War last season. A case of premature celebration? beating the Ducks last season was no notable accomplishment but my god, a lot of Beaver fans acted like it was a signature win packed full of meaning. It wasn't

actually, I take that back...OSU's win did have meaning...it got Helfrich fired and opened the Taggart era which is off to a pretty impressive start so far.

[monopoman]

I was very annoyed with how Taggart was handling things in the second half against Nebraska, the offense looked so tepid and everything was played very safely.

I can understand in the last 3-4 minutes of the 4th coming out with some very safe plays if you are up say 10 or more points but Jesus Christ it felt like he was playing it safe from the first minute of the second half. I was very impressed with how they performed on the defense throughout the entire game for the most part, and the offense in the first half was good.

[Wizenheimer]

I was very annoyed with how Taggart was handling things in the second half against Nebraska, the offense looked so tepid and everything was played very safely.

I can understand in the last 3-4 minutes of the 4th coming out with some very safe plays if you are up say 10 or more points but Jesus Christ it felt like he was playing it safe from the first minute of the second half. I was very impressed with how they performed on the defense throughout the entire game for the most part, and the offense in the first half was good.

supposedly, some fans setting behind the Oregon bench said they saw Justin Herbert icing his hand between possessions in the 4th Q. If that's true, it would probably explain why the Ducks didn't rely on Herbert's arm a few times on their last 3 or 4 possessions. Still, it was a pretty unimaginative running game in the 4thQ, whether the QB was hurt or not....dive left - 2nd & 8, dive right - 3rd & 7, sweep right, punt.

hopefully it's nothing serious with Herbert's throwing hand

[PDXKnight]

I think 8 wins is a very reasonable prediction for the ducks.

The defense isn't looking like worldbeaters but I do like one thing so far: they didnt bend over at the end of the Nebraska game. Also the pass d looks solid enough but I think depth is much needed on the line and at lb

[monopoman]

While the Ducks don't have great defense at least they will cause some chaos and likely cause some turnovers. No matter what it looks like though it will be miles better than the defense of last year, that was some of the worst defense I have ever seen out of any football team.

Since I have been watching the team though, I have never seen a gritty hard nosed style defense from the ducks its more a finesse game that tries to force turnovers and was a bend but not break hypothesis.

[Wizenheimer]

The defense isn't looking like worldbeaters but I do like one thing so far: they didnt bend over at the end of the Nebraska game. Also the pass d looks solid enough but I think depth is much needed on the line and at lb

reportedly, both Scott Pagano and Malik Young, the 2 graduate transfer DT's, both suited up for this game. I haven't seen the participation report so I'm not sure they played. Pagano is recovering from surgery and Young arrived just a couple of weeks ago. They are both experienced 300 pound linemen and they should help that D-Line depth a lot

as for LB, the Ducks have some depth there, but other that Dye and Justin Hollins, there isn't a lot of experience and little established talent. Jonah Moi had a good game though. This position group will need to be improved thru better recruiting.

The big question is how long can Taggart keep that staff together. If he can for 2-3 more years, the Ducks will very likley bring in a lot of talent across all positions. But if Oregon does post good records, other schools will definitely look to poach coaches from that staff

Since I have been watching the team though, I have never seen a gritty hard nosed style defense from the ducks its more a finesse game that tries to force turnovers and was a bend but not break hypothesis.

that seemed to be Aliotti's calling card and Pellum just continued it. Hoke was a disaster. Aliotti did have a few gritty aggressive defenses, but that hinged on him having strong DT's and lockdown CB's. Especially the CB's because then he could leave them on an island and hedge the safeties more toward run defense support.

The current Ducks may have the makings of both the strong DT's and lockdown CB's, but they are all freshman. They aren't there yet

[PDX MM]

Visions of the TCU game replayed in my head while watching the second half of the Duck game and that is not a good thing.

[blazersbucs40]

The defense isn't looking like worldbeaters but I do like one thing so far: they didnt bend over at the end of the Nebraska game. Also the pass d looks solid enough but I think depth is much needed on the line and at lb

reportedly, both Scott Pagano and Malik Young, the 2 graduate transfer DT's, both suited up for this game. I haven't seen the participation report so I'm not sure they played. Pagano is recovering from surgery and Young arrived just a couple of weeks ago. They are both experienced 300 pound linemen and they should help that D-Line depth a lot

as for LB, the Ducks have some depth there, but other that Dye and Justin Hollins, there isn't a lot of experience and little established talent. Jonah Moi had a good game though. This position group will need to be improved thru better recruiting.

The big question is how long can Taggart keep that staff together. If he can for 2-3 more years, the Ducks will very likley bring in a lot of talent across all positions. But if Oregon does post good records, other schools will definitely look to poach coaches from that staff

Since I have been watching the team though, I have never seen a gritty hard nosed style defense from the ducks its more a finesse game that tries to force turnovers and was a bend but not break hypothesis.

that seemed to be Aliotti's calling card and Pellum just continued it. Hoke was a disaster. Aliotti did have a few gritty aggressive defenses, but that hinged on him having strong DT's and lockdown CB's. Especially the CB's because then he could leave them on an island and hedge the safeties more toward run defense support.

The current Ducks may have the makings of both the strong DT's and lockdown CB's, but they are all freshman. They aren't there yet

Malik Young played a ton in 2nd half for Jelks on rushing downs. He was a significant upgrade in that area. Riley was pounding the ball a ton at Jelks in the first half and having success. Think going forward Young will get more reps and Jelks will come in on passing downs.

Pagano didn't play

[Soulyss]

Well, My Beavs stink... I mean they stink on ice... yikes. I still think Anderson can build a winner in Corvallis, but he needs to re-think things on both sides of the ball.

[PDXKnight]

Well, My Beavs stink... I mean they stink on ice... yikes. I still think Anderson can build a winner in Corvallis, but he needs to re-think things on both sides of the ball.

I'm starting to think this season will be anderson's last honestly

[Wizenheimer]

Well, My Beavs stink... I mean they stink on ice... yikes. I still think Anderson can build a winner in Corvallis, but he needs to re-think things on both sides of the ball.

I'm starting to think this season will be anderson's last honestly

the reporting is that his contract is fully guaranteed thru 2021. He'll still be owed close to 12M after this season. And it's probable that some of his assistants have contracts extending past this season. So, OSU's AD could be on the hook for 14-15M dollars. Paying that AND paying a new staff would blow a giant hole in the OSU athletic budget, and they already are operating at a loss

in other words, I have doubts that they can afford to fire Anderson, even if they wanted to

[PDXKnight]

Well, My Beavs stink... I mean they stink on ice... yikes. I still think Anderson can build a winner in Corvallis, but he needs to re-think things on both sides of the ball.

I'm starting to think this season will be anderson's last honestly

the reporting is that his contract is fully guaranteed thru 2021. He'll still be owed close to 12M after this season. And it's probable that some of his assistants have contracts extending past this season. So, OSU's AD could be on the hook for 14-15M dollars. Paying that AND paying a new staff would blow a giant hole in the OSU athletic budget, and they already are operating at a loss

in other words, I have doubts that they can afford to fire Anderson, even if they wanted to

Osu keeps screwing themselves over and over

[Soulyss]

I'm starting to think this season will be anderson's last honestly

the reporting is that his contract is fully guaranteed thru 2021. He'll still be owed close to 12M after this season. And it's probable that some of his assistants have contracts extending past this season. So, OSU's AD could be on the hook for 14-15M dollars. Paying that AND paying a new staff would blow a giant hole in the OSU athletic budget, and they already are operating at a loss

in other words, I have doubts that they can afford to fire Anderson, even if they wanted to

Osu keeps screwing themselves over and over

Oh I don't think Anderson will be on that short of a leash, plus given his contract status I think he's staying for a while. I think the more likely outcome is he goes to the AD and gets more money for new Coordinators. He's had a lot of turnover and that lack of consistency can hurt a program.

[JasonStern]

as for the Beavers....yeeeeeesh!!!

if Portland State hadn't shot themselves in the feet, several times, OSU could be seriously looking at a 0-12 season. They have looked that bad

having watched that game, it was worse than that. had PSU had either a high school level kicker on the roster or not lost their starting quarterback in the second half, they likely win that game. credit to PSU - not hate towards OSU. had Adams not transferred, EWU would have beat Oregon two seasons ago.

supposedly, some fans setting behind the Oregon bench said they saw Justin Herbert icing his hand between possessions in the 4th Q. hopefully it's nothing serious with Herbert's throwing hand

heard that rumor as well. an injured Herbert is a potential season killer, as neither "highly coveted walk-on" Taylor Alie nor true frosh Braxton Burmeister look ready to be starting Pac12 quarterbacks.

looking at Herbert's 2nd half vs. Nebraska:
drive 1: 1-1, 7 yards
drive 2: 0-1, intercepted
drive 3: 3-5, 45 yards
drive 4: 0-1
drive 5: 0 passes attempted
drive 6: 0 passes attempted
drive 7: 0 passes attempted
drive 8: 0 passes attempted

last 4 possessions, all runs. definitely indicates that either Taggart got conservative with his play calling while ahead or Herbert wasn't feeling it. but if Herbert was fine, then just look at the run distribution:

drive 1: royce 2
drive 2: royce 2
drive 3: royce 1
drive 4: royce 2
drive 5: tbj 3
drive 6: royce 3
drive 7: royce 1, kani 1
drive 8: tbj 1
halftime
drive 1: royce 2
drive 2: royce 2
drive 3: royce 4, kani 1
drive 4: royce 1
drive 5: royce 3, tbj 1, charles nelson 1
drive 6: royce 2 (fumble)
drive 7: royce 2, tbj 1
drive 8: royce 2

reasonable chance that Royce was getting burned out at the end.

I think 8 wins is a very reasonable prediction for the ducks.

presuming that happens and the Beavers win at least 1 game, both Taggart and Andersen will each have 8 wins at their respective schools.

The big question is how long can Taggart keep that staff together. If he can for 2-3 more years, the Ducks will very likley bring in a lot of talent across all positions. But if Oregon does post good records, other schools will definitely look to poach coaches from that staff

Leavitt and Cristobol are flight risks if they can land head coaching jobs. Arroyo has never kept a coaching job for more than 2 seasons. other than Salave'a, I don't think anyone else on the staff is really that sought after, at least enough to be poached without some sort of promotion. best guess is the core sticks together through the Herbert era, then all bets are off.

speaking of which, Oregon's out of conference schedule next season is three home games against Bowling Green, Portland State, and San Jose State. that's Washington level scheduling. the Pac12 schedule should flip, meaning no USC or Colorado, UCLA at home without Rosen, Stanford and Washington at home, etc. while it would be nice to get a year under the Ducks' touted recruiting class, that's probably their best chance schedule-wise to make a NY6 bowl run.

I'm starting to think this season will be anderson's last honestly

I have doubts that they can afford to fire Anderson, even if they wanted to

sounds disappointing but right. we were debating last season whether Helfrich would get another year due to finances, and the Ducks have a considerably higher athletic budget than Oregon State. still, it's not just that the Beavers are getting beat, but how they're getting beat. and this is year three under Andersen, where teams are supposed to be showing some progress as the players more and more become Andersen's recruits. not very encouraging.

[JasonStern]

so much for a first year head coach and a couple of 17 and 18 year olds turning a 4-win team into Pac12 champions.

[monopoman]

so much for a first year head coach and a couple of 17 and 18 year olds turning a 4-win team into Pac12 champions.

Meh, this is a bit of rebuilding year for the Ducks I think they are playing better on the defensive end overall, and on offense will be relying heavily on Royce Freeman to make big plays.

[JasonStern]

on offense will be relying heavily on Royce Freeman to make big plays.

15 carries for 81 yards against a bottom 120 rush defense. /sigh

[Milkdud]

I'm hoping for a terrible Beaver and Husker season leads to Anderson and Riley fired and then Riley rehired for a 3rd stint. It would be to hilarious

[Masterfully]

I think the hardest part is watching Freeman’s talents going wasted. If only his freshman year were now. His timeline would be perfect.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Maybe the Ducks loss to ASU will help Graham keep his job ... so that no team in the Pac12 brings Chip Kelly to PAC12 TV.