I had no sweat coming into this week with Oregon’s game versus Ohio State. This was not a make-or-break situation like it was under a four-team playoff, as we could make the CFB Playoff with a loss, so this game was a classic good-or-good kind of result. But I had to interrupt my fun at sweepstakes casinos to consider some new elements that surfaced in the last few days. Could this game pop the national perception of the Ducks? Is this actually a bigger benchmark game than I realized?
It is not just about winning; it is about changing the narrative of the Ducks. We fans know the massive changes at Oregon since Dan Lanning arrived, as the defensive line recruiting has built depth never before known in Eugene, as an example. But this massive upgrade of the quality of players, the depth, the coaches, and so many analysts has created a gradual shift in our thoughts of Our Beloved Ducks as fans.
But not to the typical CFB fan nationally.
I sensed from the national media, from Buckeye fans, and even a hint from Ohio State players and coaches of….”we got this. Yes, they are improved, but they are OREGON.” Haven’t you sensed this “you have a nice little team” type of attitude from everyone outside of Oregon circles? While at times the Oregon fans have pushed themselves to believe in the changes–there is no doubt to me that our long-term reputation with CFB fans nationally has not changed.
“Oregon is Finesse”
This came from 14 years ago in 2010 when Oregon burst on the scene with Chip Kelly’s No-Huddle, Zone-Reading Spread Offense that wore opponents down with speed, conditioning, and superb players in the skill positions. The Ducks did not have the 5-Star offensive linemen to root out chunks in the defenses, but instead created a massive scoring machine with great offensive line technique, and positioning. Typically a number of starters in the trenches were 3-Star players who were originally projects, but built and coached up.
Nationally, the narrative was that Oregon was soft, and a finesse team.
The tackles for losses are way up for 2024… (Photo by Steven Chan)
Yet this last week there were reports of Michigan State fans, media and players who felt that Oregon was a little better in the trenches, after facing both Oregon and the Buckeyes the week before? What? The Ohio State Buckeyes are the epitome of extreme talent in the trenches, where both sides of the line of scrimmage has future NFL players waiting for their turn. There are too many reports from Michigan State to discount this notion, and it makes you reflect upon what this will do to Oregon’s reputation nationally when it turns out to be true?
It makes the game within the game that much more compelling.
Oregon has a very good offensive line, of which can run-block inside, seal the edges for perimeter attacks, as well as pass protect along with the best. Can they handle the NFLish defensive line of the Buckeyes? Can Oregon’s stout defensive line keep those uber-Buckeye running backs in check? Three of the front four starters for the Ducks up front are portal transfers, who are eager to increase their draft value, and they have exploded in recent games. The number of sacks by the top three performers for all of 2023 was 12.5, while the top three defenders for the Ducks have 11.5 sacks in only five games? Whew!
This is not your father’s trenches at Oregon, and millions will see it for themselves Saturday evening.
Jordan Burch is having a monster year! (Screenshot from Fox Sports Video)
“Oregon is Offense”
Even the days of building the program under Mike Bellotti featured a high-scoring offense that had to win with a boatload of points. Things got better under the coaches that followed, but nothing was close to the defense Coach Lanning and Tosh Lupoi have built at Oregon for the 2024 season. The running game of the Buckeyes is superb, and their receivers are extraordinary as everyone is aware of. If the Duck defense plays Ohio State to the level of what this talent was recruited and coached to–the perception of defenses at Oregon will forever be altered.
Everyone knows that Dan Lanning coached one of the best defenses in the history of college football, (Georgia, 2021) and he is determined to build a defense that resembles what the best in the SEC and B1G have to offer. Is this the coming-out party for the Duck-Defense? Considering the background of our head coach, and defensive recruiting never seen at Oregon before–will this game demonstrate to the nation how the Ducks are more than great quarterbacks and scoring?
This could turn a ton of heads in the US…
“Autzen is a Nice Little Stadium”
You have read the nonsense, as I have about how 59,000 people in Autzen stadium cannot possibly compare with the noise levels at the Big House, the Horseshoe or Beaver Stadium who house over 100,000 fans for their biggest games. While numerically that appears to be true, but it does not take into account other factors that B1G fans are about to learn of. Truly, there were so many times at Autzen that I had to shout directly into the ear of my Duck-Buddy in order for him to hear anything above the roar of the crowd.
We should have an epic game and sunset at Autzen! (Photo by John Giustina)
After this game, the legends of Autzen will become relevant to the many fans of the B1G, as making the trek to our beautiful state will become a priority for many of them to experience what has been written about so often before, but now will be actually observed and heard at this epic game. Autzen will no longer be hidden in a west coast time zone, as the reputation will now be set and deserved, as so many will witness.
So now I believe this game is much bigger than I originally thought, and not because of final score, but because of how it will establish new beliefs about Oregon football nationally. We truly are going to pop-the-national-perception with what occurs in this game. Do you agree? Let me know in the only free, and civilized Oregon football forum because…
“Oh, how we love to ponder about Our Beloved Ducks!”
Charles Fischer (Mr. FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
Top Photo by Steven Chan
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…