The Ohio State-Oregon game will be the B1G version of Georgia-Alabama. It is a battle of conference heavyweights that should set the tone for the rest of the season. If the Ducks play like they did against Michigan State, with a strong defensive performance, good ground game, and flashes of passing brilliance, they can win if Dillon Gabriel can make all the throws he needs to make.
That is no small “if.”
Gabriel missed some wide-open receivers downfield against the Spartans that he will have to complete against the Buckeyes. Oregon should easily have had two more touchdowns last Friday night and put up a solid 45 points instead of a mere 31. I pulled Mr. FishDuck from his fun at online pokies Australia to discuss the impact of this big game for Oregon, and whether the Ducks are ready.
The imperfect Ducks have improved every game so far this season. The time is now in becoming the best that they can be, and they are just one step away.
Playoffs
Let us be realistic. The Ducks could lose.
So, what are the playoff scenarios if that happens?
The rest of the schedule, including playing at Michigan, who has no offense, and playing at Wisconsin, is winnable. The Ducks should be favored in every game. But, of course, we know how that goes.
The Ducks are on the cusp of something special. (Photo by Craig Strobeck)
With two losses, the Ducks are almost guaranteed to get in. With three losses they would be on the bubble. I believe with three losses and two of those against Ohio State (B1G Championship Game) that the Ducks would probably get in. As long as they do not get embarrassed.
There is a lesser chance, but still a possibility, if they have three losses and do not make the B1G Championship Game. There are a lot of top teams losing early, so who knows what this crazy season might bring?
Oh yeah, if they simply win, it makes things a lot easier.
B1G Happenings
After starting his tenure at USC with an 11-1 record, Lincoln Riley has since gone 11-9. Think about that; it is truly mind-boggling. USC has exemplified the negative stereotype of West Coast football: All offense, no defense.
This worked great for him in the lesser Big 12 conference, especially with a down Texas Longhorns, but in the B1G they will continue to get exposed. USC lost to a one-dimensional Michigan team that passed for a whopping 32 yards against them but bowled them over in the run game.
This past weekend, the offensively deficient Huskies were able to hold that same Michigan team to only 17 points. And, what do you know? The Huskies won. Defense wins.
With the Huskies and Wolverines in “rebuilding” mode and Penn State being Penn State, there might not be a better time for the Ducks to capture the B1G title with two of the conference heavyweights down. (Yes, I’m putting UW in that category.)
Speaking of heavyweights, do we even consider USC a “down” heavyweight? Or, simply, a second-tier conference team?
They seem to have more in common with the UCLAs of the world than the Ohio States.
Darren Perkins
Spokane, WA
Top photo credit: Steven Chan
Natalie Liebhaber, the FishDuck.com Volunteer Editor for this article, works in technology in SLC, Utah.
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Darren Perkins is a sales professional and 1997 Oregon graduate. After finishing school, he escaped the rain and moved to sunny Southern California where he studied screenwriting for two years at UCLA. Darren grew up in Eugene and in 1980, at the tender age of five, he attended his first Oregon football game. His lasting memory from that experience was an enthusiastic Don Essig announcing to the crowd: “Reggie Ogburn, completes a pass to… Reggie Ogburn.” Captivated by such a thrilling play, Darren’s been hooked on Oregon football ever since. Currently living in Spokane, Darren enjoys flaunting his yellow and green superiority complex over friends and family in Cougar country.