As luck has it, Oregon faced all of its spread opponents in the early part of the season, and will face all of its pro-style opponents in the second half of the season. Colorado is a perfect primer for the rest of Oregon’s schedule, and will allow the Ducks some time to adjust to a different style of play. That …
Opponent Analysis: ASU Defense Presents Formidable Challenge For Duck Offense
Oregon has had its way in Thursday night match ups as of late, as they obliterated UCLA in 2010, and did the same to Cal in 2011. This year things are a little different, as the Ducks aren’t in the friendly confines of Autzen Stadium, and will have to take out a very good Arizona State team to continue their Thursday night …
Ducks Need To Take Care of Business
Outside of the Stanford game last year, Oregon’s biggest statement game under Chip Kelly was probably against UCLA on a Thursday night in 2010. The Bruins opened the game with a long drive into Oregon territory, and then took a shot downfield only to find John Boyett waiting for the ball. The Oregon offense got the ball, and took over. …
Opponent Analysis: Keys to Washington
When Washington beat Stanford, the national perception of the Huskies elevated rather quickly. Just two weeks removed from being kicked around by LSU, the Huskies had to face another top ten team in Stanford. Fortunately for Washington, Stanford is anything but a top ten team this year despite the high ranking. So while Justin Wilcox has definitely changed the way …
Opponent Analysis: Keys to Washington State
It’s impossible for a football strategist to not be happy this weekend, as Chip Kelly and Mike Leach will finally be squaring off in a spread-offense showcase. The Ducks haven’t had much success at CenturyLink field (or any of its incarnations) recently, but will look to turn things around when they face an unraveling Washington State football team. When the …
Opponent Analysis: Keys to Arizona
On Saturday, Autzen Stadium will be the furthest possible point from traditional football. The Arizona-Oregon battle will be a duel of spread offensive gurus going at it, combined with a 3-3-5 vs. 3-4 Hybrid defensive showdown. Last year, Oregon ran all over the Wildcats in Tucson, and will be looking to do much of the same on Saturday. While Arizona …
Opponent Analysis: Keys to Fresno State (video)
Week two will bring Fresno State, and their high powered offense led by Derek Carr to Autzen Stadium. Oregon will need to keep up the tempo on Saturday, as the Bulldogs are planning to run the Ducks out of the stadium as opposed to the standard Duck domination in Eugene. After 15 years with Pat Hill as head coach running …
Opponent Analysis: Keys to Arkansas State (video)
It’s football time in Eugene, as the Ducks are opening their season at home this year against Coach Gus Malzahn and the Arkansas State Red Wolves, a 10-win team in 2011 that features the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year in quarterback Ryan Aplin. The last time Gus Malzahn faced Oregon, he found himself utterly stumped against the quick, …
Oregon’s Multi-Talented Receiving Corps, One Less in Depth But Not in Quality
There is no position on the Oregon roster heading into the season with more question marks, and cause for hope, than at wide receiver. The Ducks return a wealth of talent, but not since Jeff Maehl has there been consistency at the position. Stepping into the limelight joining the fold are the much anticipated trio duo of redshirt freshmen, adding …
The Tucker Sedan and the A-11 Offense – The Future of College Football
The Tucker Chicago, 1947. An independent company operated out of Preston Tucker’s family barn begins the production of a futuristic car unlike anything that had ever been seen before. Tucker Car Corporation had developed something beyond the wildest imagination of big automobile companies in the midwest, creating a vehicle that protected drivers like never before, allowed maintenance with ease, provided …
The Pressure Of Expecting To Be Better Than The Best
How exactly does somebody go about being better than the best to have ever played for a team? What if that person is the successor stepping into a starter’s role for the first time immediately replacing a legend who happens to be the best ever, with the expectation to be even better? For as long as Chip Kelly is in …
The Fish Report: Mike Leach’s Air Attack
This year, Mike Leach will return to the sidelines, something football strategists have been waiting a long time for. This week, we’ll give you an in depth look at Leach’s favorite concepts, techniques, and give you a tremendous primer to anticipate the return of the Air-Raid Offense, and the “Pirate” himself to College Football. Josh Schlichter Oregon Football Analyst for …