Thursday Reaction: Ducks Appear Unstoppable

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Score, force a turnover, repeat. That seemed to be the game plan in what was perhaps the most exciting, yet simultaneously shocking, half of football I’ve ever seen in my young life. The Ducks steamrolled Florida State, utilizing a second half where Oregon scored 34 unanswered points and FSU turned the ball over on five of six straight drives. It was …

Royce Freeman, Oregon Ducks

A Tale of Two Freshman Running Backs

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

For Duck fans, Rocye Freeman is now a household name. The freshman phenom burst onto the scene to replace the injured Thomas Tyner, and with Byron Marshall moving to the slot, Freeman took over as the Ducks‘ primary back in Week  4. Since then, he amassed at least 75 yards in every game on his way to 1,299 yards and 16 touchdowns, …

ESPNU’s Mike Bellotti on Oregon vs FSU: “Don’t Play Them In The 4th Quarter”

Paul Jones FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

ESPNU hosted four, thirty minute segments on Sunday, each focused on a playoff team and the road required to get each of them to a College Football Playoff victory on New Year’s Day.The show, “Road to the College Football Playoffs,” was co-hosted by former Oregon Football Coach and Athletic Director Mike Bellotti. While the Oregon segment focused on how the …

For Both FSU and Oregon, the Rose Bowl Brings Something New

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Excluding one minor slip up, the loss to Arizona at home, the Ducks have dominated their competition. Their average margin of victory this season, not including the loss, is just over 26 points per game. On the flip side, an undefeated FSU team struggled against many ACC foes on their way to an 11.7 average winning margin. More importantly, when FSU …

FSU DE Ramsey Confident in Preparation Against Oregon, Mariota

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Florida State defense has made it clear as blue sky that they are not afraid of Oregon quarterback and Heisman winner Marcus Mariota. It seems the Rose Bowl game against the No. 2 Ducks is just another day against another Heisman winner. Clearly, it’s not. Seminole head coach Jimbo Fisher has been utilizing Florida State track star and scout team quarterback John Franklin III …

Comparing Winston and Mariota: Who Deserves to be No. 1?

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

When FSU and Oregon finally clash on New Years’ Day, a lot more will be at stake than just the winner moving on to the National Championship. In particular, each of the two quarterbacks will not only be looking to carry his team to victory, but also officially establish himself as the best quarterback in college football. Jameis Winston vs. …

Three Things FSU Needs to Do in the Rose Bowl

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Just like how it’s been all season long, Florida State is coming into a matchup against a team whose win-loss record is not as good as theirs. In fact, that’s been the story for the past two years. Florida State hasn’t lost a game since 2012, yet somehow they are marching into Pasadena to play the Ducks as a 9.5 …

Next Man Up: Oregon’s Defensive Loss May Be Key to Rose Bowl Victory

Paul Jones FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The loss of All-American Ifo Ekpre-Olomu hurts, and it hurts a lot, simply because Oregon fans know he has the potential to be great at the next level. Since the Rose Bowl match-up was announced, most experts considered the Rashad Greene vs Ekpre-Olomu battle a key to who would win the game. Now that Ekpre-Olomu is out, Greene running wild …

The Freshman Factor

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

I don’t even try to keep it a secret that I’m absolutely enamored with this freshman class. Royce Freeman, Darren Carrington, Devon Allen, Charles Nelson, Doug Brenner and Aidan Schneider have all made their own significant impacts on the Ducks’ 2014 season. In fact,one could make the argument that without these guys the Ducks wouldn’t have a shot at playing Florida …

Senior Leaders talk FSU and Jameis Winston

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

As senior leaders for a talented Oregon team, Hroniss Grasu, Keanon Lowe and Derrick Malone understand a large weight was just placed on their shoulders. Not only will the playoffs be a different atmosphere from most of what the players on the team have experienced before, but they’re also pushing to prepare the younger guys to fill in for injured …

Please God, No More Injuries for my College Fantasy Football Team

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Dear Deshaun Watson (and fans of Clemson Football), I’d like to apologize. You were looking so good, and Clemson was on such a roll, and then I took you for my College Fantasy team. I’ve given in to my curse. Two straight weeks, two straight Heisman hopefuls injured. Taysom Hill, I apologize to you as well. After your injury I figured that was …