Dan Lanning has put together two good seasons in his first two years as a head coach, and as fans we have seen him grow. For the 2024 recruiting cycle, he brought in the best prep recruiting class in Oregon history while also landing a major quarterback transfer in Dillon Gabriel. The offense is efficient and the defense will continue …
The Fiesta Bowl is a Must-Win Game for Lanning
Oregon is set to play Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl on January 1st. For many Oregon fans, this game isn’t all that interesting or exciting for a couple of reasons. One, it’s not a playoff game and it feels like a consolation prize for a season that could have been something really special. Two, it’s against No. 20 Liberty, a …
How Oregon Can Optimize Dillon Gabriel
Dillon Gabriel transferring to Oregon for the 2024 season is a big deal, as it gives Oregon a top-tier quarterback right away. Gabriel is going to have a loaded roster, even with some key contributors in Jackson Powers-Johnson, Bucky Irving and Troy Franklin leaving for the NFL. With the addition of Gabriel, the Ducks will be a contender for the B1G …
The Pain of Being a Superfan
This last loss has hurt more than any other loss I can recall, and when I came to write this article I reflected on a video from It’s OK to be Smart entitled The Strange Psychology of Superfans. I highly suggest that everyone watches it, because it is telling in just what makes us tick. During the video they go …
Has Pac-12 Cannibalism Struck Again?
The Pac-12 started this season with a whopping six teams ranked in the AP poll, and peaked at Week 4 with eight. This didn’t last, as Week 4 was the beginning of conference play, and though the Pac-12 may not be the best conference, it surely is the most competitive from top to bottom. The football season is long and …
Oregon’s Strange Red Zone Problem
Down the stretch this season, Oregon’s offense has been on an absolute tear. Heisman hopeful Bo Nix has put up ridiculous numbers. Perhaps the most telling is his 78-percent completion rate, which is the best in college football history. However, Oregon does have a strange problem in the red zone — and it isn’t the kicking game. When the Ducks …
Lanning’s Culture Is Paying Dividends in November
Football is a hard sport. It takes its toll on players and teams both mentally and physically. This season, we have seen Colorado and USC crumble as their seasons have gone on. Their morale was sucked out of them from devastating losses. But Oregon bounced back from their one loss in triumphant fashion, and that is a testament to the …
Lincoln Riley is a Perfect Fit for USC and That’s Their Problem
It has been absolutely delightful as Duck fans to watch USC’s problems, not only this year but over more than a decade at this point. For the record, Oregon fans are not jealous of what USC has or had, because we are on our own journey. We simply take great pleasure in watching USC’s downfall and struggles. And perhaps our …
To Slow USC’s Offense, Oregon Must Stop the Run
USC has a very good offense, and they have needed it, as their defense as been nonexistent this year. With Caleb Williams and receivers like Brenden Rice, Tahj Washington, Mario Williams and Zachariah Branch, it’s easy to see why USC has one of the most feared passing attacks in the country. Mr. FishDuck some time away from his fun on …
Oregon is Putting on a Master Class in Offensive Game Prep
For three straight games the Oregon Ducks have absolutely throttled their opponents with well-designed offensive game plans. They may have started off slow against the Washington State Cougars and given up garbage time points, but the game plan left no doubt who was in control of that game. The Ducks defeated the Cougars 38-24. Then came the best game of …
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like 2014
2014 is without a doubt the best season in Oregon history, so far. Marcus Mariota won Oregon’s only Heisman, Oregon won the conference championship and the Rose Bowl, and appeared in the National Championship Game but couldn’t quite seal the deal to bring home the “Natty.” It was a special season and we haven’t reached that height since. There have …
Is the Jumbo Formation Back for the Ducks?
Did the coaches read my article last week after Oregon’s loss to Washington asking where the Ducks’ Jumbo Formation has gone? Probably not, but it’s nice to think they did, as Oregon really did lean on its run game and the power element of its offense in their win over the Washington State Cougars. Both Bucky Irving and Jordan James …