Independent Football Commentary and Analysis
[A confessional from an old, retired coach. But first a warning to potential readers: There may be nothing in this article about Oregon Duck football. This article is about a SPECIFIC 4-3 defensive system, and the Ducks will be using the 4-3 next season. But the two systems might — […]
Last week I investigated the Oregon defense by comparing key metrics over the past 10 years. In doing so, I was able to discover how the Ducks have evolved on the defensive side of the ball. By establishing a baseline comparison to past performance I can now confidently compare the 2015 […]
In last week’s analysis I investigated Oregon’s yards allowed per play, an important statistic by which defenses are measured. Although important, however, yards per play does not define a defense. So this week I continue on my quest to discover how the Oregon defense has evolved over the past decade. In […]
My friends, we have a new writer, Evan Markel, who will provide some statistical information about our beloved Ducks. For now he will focus his study on the Duck defense in a quest for answers. He has been charged with offering the data, yet keeping it simple for those of us […]
It’s Thanksgiving week. It’s also Civil War week. It’s the 119th Civil War. It’s also probably going to be one of the most lopsided Civil War games in a long time. This isn’t a knock on the Beavers. They have a first year coach, no experience at quarterback, and Oregon […]
Ok, so I’m just going to keep doubting the Ducks. That’ll mean that they keep winning … right? No, in all honesty, this is why I love and hate college football! It’s so maddening that the Ducks are playing as well as they are now. This means that they clearly […]
Since the beginning of the Pac-12, the North division, crown has gone through Eugene or Palo Alto. This year is no different. Stanford has the fast track to the title game, but the Ducks are rolling as of late and are hungry to keep their Pac-12 title hopes alive. Last year, […]
This has truly been a season of unpredictability. The Cal game turned out much different than I thought it would a month, hell, even a week ago. The good news is that things appear to be trending positively, as we all witnessed the improvement on both sides of the ball […]
Wow, last week was a hell of game. One of the most exciting and insane games I’ve seen in a long, long time. So, for anyone that wasn’t sure how much of a difference a quarterback can make, see last week. A healthy Vernon Adams has been the spark the Ducks need […]
The Oregon Duck defensive backs have been through a trial-by-fire season, where they have yielded a lot of yards and points. They have learned many tough lessons as a young — but still talented — crew. Through these trials and lessons, they also have steadily improved. Will their improving skills and […]
The Ducks and Sun Devils are coming off much needed byes. Not necessarily because of injuries, although it is good that Vernon Adams got a week of rest, but because of their need to step back and regroup. With Adams’ return last week, the Ducks offense looked much more explosive […]
Keeping with the Halloween theme that always accompanies late October, this analysis reviews the marvelous, monstrous sacks by Oregon Duck defensive linemen that took place during the Washington game. Oregon’s improvement pressuring the QB in its last contest was certainly a welcome sight. Here’s to hoping this keeps up Thursday night, and that […]
