I sometimes reflect on how much I grudgingly admit the success of other programs. Both Texas Tech and Indiana come to mind because both achieved above expectations this year. Indiana even upstaged my Beloved Ducks (aka Our Beloved Ducks<OBD> as my good friend Charles Fischer has coined our Alma Mater). Yet as I ponder our prospects on Friday, I must admit we are in for a very bumpy ride.
Texas Tech’s Front Seven oh-so-reminded us what we have in store in our rematch with Indiana. They wrecked havoc on all phases of Oregon’s offense, and basically shut down what looks like a juggernaut against less capable defenses. In essence, Iowa, Penn State, Indiana, and now Tech have forced hurried throws, disrupted one of the best running games in the business, and kept the Ducks off-track. (To the tune of the Ducks having massive difficulty scoring more than 20 points)
Ironically, only Indiana lit the Oregon defense up. Fortunately, it did take a while, (3 1/2 quarters) for the Hoosiers to light up the scoreboard. But the physicality OBD were known for disappeared like a leaf blown away by an electric lawnmower. Suddenly, the uniforms became our symbol, because they resembled that pesky narrative that OBD were all flash, and no substance. And here we are again…back to questions of who we are after Lanning’s defense dismantled Texas Tech’s much lauded offense?
Oregon has the weapons at wide receiver such as Malik Benson. (Photo by Scott Kelley)
My concern entering this pivotal semi-final matchup stems from a few observations that continue to gnaw at my homer clad brain. Our offensive line looks like the players we used to line up on those electric football fields. When the juice is on, they bounce up and down instead of gliding fluidly like the electricity flowing through the game board. Our QB reacts swiftly to pressure, but sometimes locks on the wrong receiver, thus missing wide open TD opportunities. And it doesn’t stop there.
Look, I think our offense can be more explosive than nitroglycerin. I really do. Yet I’ve seen OC Will Stein circle the wagons and fire away-twice now. He didn’t against Indiana, but he has twice in the playoffs. I have seen unmistakable mismatches he can exploit. For example, nobody has truly stopped the Duck WRs, but Texas Tech recognized it, and they correctly backed off. Eventually Stein exploited that….eventually. And when Tech was applying consistent pressure, Moore properly hit receivers quickly-but on third and long.
What I’m trying to say is both men responded as I would hope, but far too late. Let me explain. Moore gets criticized because he checks down quickly. Well, that’s because the check-downs are more appropriate for second and long or first down. So the plays aren’t the problem, it’s when they are called. Furthermore, instead of chipping (blocking, then releasing) the defensive ends that have wrecked havoc to start the game, we wait. Stein finally used a TE to terminate that havoc, and then Moore threw to that TE as his check-down. On third and long.
Kenyon Sadiq, “The Beast” is good for eight yards also on early downs. (Photo by Scott Kelley)
In other words, that play I just described would be my initial launch, not my adjustment to a disruptive defense. If they want to give me eight yards on first and second down, I’m taking it. If they lay off my WRs, I’m forcing them back to the line of scrimmage (to start the play) because I’m going to throw eight yard curls delivered before my WR breaks down and turns back to his QB.
Nobody has been successful pressing (Covering one yard away from) our WRs. The strategy of the day has been take away the middle of the field and sit 10 yards off the line of scrimmage on the sidelines to prevent those achingly beautiful deep shots Moore has thrown all year long. The threat of explosive passes opens up that deadly running game OBD imposed on everyone, but the elite defenses.
One other thing, we don’t spread the field against these elite defenses. Miami and Indiana have very agile linemen, and they’re as lethal as Sumo Wrestlers. They are that quick and powerful. OBD have the power, but they’re not as slippery. We’re talking farm boys versus the Japs (or something less inflammatory). I don’t have a problem with the matchup, I have a problem with the response.
Dante Moore throws well on the run, so…move him! (Photo by Eric Becker)
Our lineman give Moore enough time. He responds well, but Stein isn’t giving Moore the tools he needs. First down and second down are the downs to check-down. Third down is the the down to max protect with extra blockers, move Moore or both. They can’t stop our WRs, so if we have to buy time, do it. I even doubt rushing three and using eight to cover will work, because that gives Moore the option to run if he has four seconds.
It’s street ball now, folks. When a team is physical enough and you have to adjust your game, you do it. Even if you’re physical enough too, and that is my concern. I didn’t see a complete physical advantage when Auburn was touted as NFL lite in 2011, and I don’t see it now. Indiana cannot stop us if we throw at them the advantages we can take.
I’ve said it almost as much I’ve said “you can’t cover your guy if you’re looking at the QB”. Well we can’t win a Natty unless we drop 40 plus points. We’re not Georgia, circa 2021 and 22. We’re not Alabama, during the Saban-prime. We have to force the physical teams into press coverage, and then we have to smoke their corners when they do. We must spread out the defense as a whole, so we create natural space to run. We absolutely have enough talent to execute under those conditions.
That is my opinion of course, but what do you say? Let me know right here what your prescription is for dealing with the machine we know as the Indiana Hoosiers?
Mike West
Las Vegas, Nevada
Top Photo by Eric Becker
Share your thoughts about this team in the only free, “polite and respectful” Oregon Sports message board, the Our Beloved Ducks forum!
Mike West was born in Southern California and moved to Eugene in 1976. He attended his first Oregon Football game and watched USC maul the Ducks 63-0. Despite the disappointment he became an avid fan after watching the Rich Brooks show every Sunday in the Fall. After graduating from the University of Oregon, he returned to Los Angeles and enjoyed a career in Customer Service for two decades. Thrilled at the ascent of Oregon Football, he attended both Rose Bowls, living just five miles from the stadium. He now lives in Las Vegas.