I have noted a ton of respect for Coach Jonathan Smith and the emerging offense at Oregon State among those who comment on this site. I also give Coach Smith kudos for what he accomplished as Washington’s offensive coordinator. After licking our wounds from last year’s game with the Beavers, and considering the underperforming Oregon offense, is it time to ponder whether the Beavers are about to pass the Ducks in scoring in the near future? Is one school declining while the other is ascending on offense?
It feels that way to me as the Ducks could not stop Oregon State at the clutch times in 2020, and the Beavers almost pulled off an upset in Eugene in 2019. Are they are nipping at our heels?
I love the balance on offense the Beavers have achieved, and frankly I admire the recruiting they have done at running back. This year they have a Pac-12 transfer star in quarterback Sam Noyer joining them along with returning a full offensive line that was already doing well. Fleet wide receivers and gamers at tight end round out an impressive offense as I checked out last year’s games of OSU. My review left an unsettling feeling…
Too much of that last November…
It is an interesting ponder-point for us to discuss today, because it comes more from our feelings as opposed to facts. When checking the scoring output–I was surprised at the truth over the last three years…
2018: OSU 26.10 UO 34.80
2019: OSU 31.20 UO 35.40
2020: OSU 28.90 UO 31.30
As much as we were frustrated with the rivalry game–it was the high point of scoring for the Beavers this last year. Another question would be … “does the 41 points planted on Oregon say more about the Beavers or the Ducks in that game?”
As I’ve discussed many times and written about here, the Ducks must increase their scoring to the 45 point-per-game average the “Playoff-3” achieved in the last three years if we seriously want to make a run at a National Championship. If Joe Moorhead is allowed to fully implement his system and Oregon starts scoring scads of points–perhaps this discussion is rendered moot?
Jonathan Smith will be scoring more points in the future?
It is hard to count Coach Smith out; do you think the Beavers will pass the Ducks on offense?
“Oh, how we love to ponder about Our Beloved Ducks!”
Charles Fischer (Mr. FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
Top Photo by Kevin Cline
Phil Anderson, the FishDuck.com Volunteer editor for this article, is a trial lawyer in Bend Oregon.
Related Articles:
Charles Fischer has been an intense fan of the Ducks, a season ticket holder at Autzen Stadium for 38 years and has written reports on football boards for over 26 years. Known as “FishDuck” on those boards, he is acknowledged for providing intense detail in his scrimmage reports, and in his Xs and Os play analyses. He is single, has a daughter Christine, and resides in Eugene Oregon where he was a Financial Advisor for 36 years.
He now focuses full-time on Charitable Planned Giving Workshops for churches and non-profit organizations in addition to managing his two Oregon Football Websites, of FishDuck.com and the Our Beloved Ducks forum. He is a busy man!
He does not profess to be a coach or analyst, but simply a “hack” that enjoys sharing what he has learned and invites others to correct or add to this body of Oregon Football! See More…