I have been pleasantly surprised at all the attention given to Oregon by major sportswriters around the nation in the past two months. Certainly that and the inflatable Duck at the B1G Media meetings have made an impression on our upcoming B1G opponents, yet I really don’t think they believe it. I took a moment from my discover more on gamblingpromocodes.com fun to ponder about how the Oregon defense will emerge this year, and certainly surprise our new conference foes.
Most of the B1G pundits that have commented on Our Beloved Ducks, have been only slightly above clueless. Besides the typical put-down of “well now they’re with a legit conference, at least,” from a group of four B1G writers in a video a while back, the difference in time zones became evident in their analyses. They did not know anything about Oregon, as clearly–we played past their bedtime, and they had not actually watched Oregon in action.
They were going through the motions, with most of their audiences having an equally deficient knowledge base about Oregon. Yet one fellow, Big Ten Ted, actually studied Oregon tape and had some interesting observations, and what I found most amusing–is how he was able to compare us better than his colleagues to the B1G conference he knew so well. His comments about our upcoming 2024 defense especially caught my interest, as he was impressed with what the Ducks have built.
Terrance Ferguson is reliable target who will help lead the 2024 offense. (Photo by Tom Corno)
He acknowledged that the offensive side of the ball is Oregon’s identity and referred to the Chip Kelly days, but what he does not know is during the Mike Bellotti years–our high scoring offense is what won most games. We did not have a ton of talent on defense, and thus would have to outscore opponents. It worked and built the long line of great passing Duck quarterbacks that the public is familiar with, and spent time in the NFL.
The offensive output of scoring 44 points a game last year was impressive, and I expect an offense averaging 40 points or more in 2024. But as Big Ten Ted stated, “in the age of offense…defense is still what is needed to get to that level.” He was referring to truly being in the ‘Natty conversation, and he pointed to Michigan’s defense last year, and Georgia’s defense in the two years prior.
He felt that for Oregon to challenge, the Ducks did not need one of the nation’s dominant defenses like the Michigan Wolverines last year, but one that is in the top ten in many defensive categories in 2024. I don’t think he was aware that Oregon was in top ten in scoring defense at No. 9 with only giving up 16.50 points per game. He noted there were four B1G teams ahead of us in the rankings, and he thinks we may move up a touch. I believe we will move up a TON, because having a good defensive scoring average in the Pac-12 was a lot tougher than doing so in the B1G.
No. 4 Justin Jacobs closed in on the tackle quickly at the LOS. (Photo by Kiffer Creveling)
He did not see a superstar player on defense, but felt there were a ton of experienced players at all three levels of defensive line, linebackers and secondary. His video was published before Oregon received Jamaree Caldwell and Derrick Harmon as transfers, which changes everything with our perception of experience on the team. Let’s look at how many starters Oregon has returning on defense along with players who started, and were a star on other teams?
Safeties: Kobe Savage, Tysheem Johnson. Savage was a star at Kansas State, and Johnson started for Oregon last year and was a starter at Ole Miss prior.
Corners: Jabbar Muhammad, Kam Alexander. (I am not certain Jahlil Florence is fully headed from injury) Both were transfers and stars at Washington and UTSA last year.
Star DB/LB Position: Brandon Johnson. He was a star at Duke last year, and All-ACC for the two prior years and will man one of the most difficult defensive positions.
Linebackers: Jeffery Bassa, Jestin Jacobs. Both were starters the last half of the season and add speed to inside linebacker positions.
Strongside Defensive End: Jordan Burch. Starter last year, and former 5-Star from South Carolina.
Defensive Tackles: Jamaree Caldwell, Derrick Harmon. Incredible transfers from Houston and Michigan State who were big stars on their teams.
Look at that defense above, as these ten out of eleven were savvy starters at Oregon or star players elsewhere! Oregon has never had such talent and experience on defense before when going into a season, and thus why I believe the Ducks can climb higher in the conference and national stats than even Big Ten Ted would have thought.
But wait! There is a final position on defense, the only position without an ongoing starter returning, and yet that is one that will have massive impact on the team.
Matayo Uiagalelei being held badly (Orange arrow) vs. Texas Tech. (Screenshot from Fox Sports Video)
Edge Rusher: Teitum Tuioti is my projected starter, but it could be Matayo Uiagalelei. Teitum Tuioti played a ton last year, as did Matayo Uiagalelei and both are ready to start.
I admit that Ohio State is loaded on defense, as is Georgia. Yet I cannot shake the feeling that Oregon’s defense could end up being one of the top five defenses in the nation, and that element of Oregon is going to be the big surprise to the B1G this year. Each opponent will feel that, “the Ducks had a good game last week, but they haven’t faced the likes of our B1G defense.”
Not only will the Oregon offense surprise them, but the Duck defense will stun them. Each opponent will experience that as the Ducks run the Surprise B1G tour, as the conference will not truly believe the Ducks are for real until the season is over. Oregon is the only team in the United States to have scored at least 30 points in every single game in 2023. This is a ton of pressure to put on B1G offenses to keep up, and I am not sure many can.
Oregon’s offense will change B1G offensive game-plans, meaning that once the Ducks get a sizeable lead…the opposing B1G offense will have to pass, and Dan Lanning’s Simulated Pressures and Blitzes will create turnovers and a thus a snowball effect on the game that B1G teams have not seen before. The surprise for the B1G and the nation will be the Duck defense, and we fans will relish it because…
“Oh, how we love to ponder Our Beloved Ducks!”
Charles Fischer (Mr. FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
Top Photo by Kiffer Creveling
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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…