If you were to ask the question last week, most Oregon Ducks fans would have given a resounding “No”. I viewed the game against the Cal Golden Bears a little differently, however. I saw an offense rack up 409 yards of offense against a very good Justin Wilcox defense. But when offenses are plagued by turnovers and penalties, you end …
Coach Woody Analysis: Duck Defense Suffocates Hapless Buffs
After Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert was 10-of-15 in the first quarter against Colorado, passing aficionados were giddy at the prospect of their Beloved Duck having the opportunity of throwing 50 or 60 times in one game. Unfortunately, Herbert cooled, hitting only 8-of-17 in the final three quarters, but that was plenty because the defense absolutely ate the Buffaloes up, defending …
Forget the Polls, Here Are the ACTUAL Top-10 CFB Teams
I’m on the road this week, blessed to be writing this from beautiful Bend, Oregon. In light of getting to Bend, and my host’s love of the Dallas Cowboys driving us to a sports bar this afternoon, I will be brief. (Okay, please hold down the cheering … It’s a volunteer gig and I’m still slightly over hung from Friday …
The Oregon Offense Finally Pulls Its Head out of …
… of the sand. What’d y’all think I was gonna’ say? After the Ducks came out throwing to start Friday night’s game against Colorado, ESPN color commentator (and former UW QB) Brock Huard repeatedly kept making the point of how the Ducks needed to establish the run. He emphasized that running is this team’s identity, as they have been formed …
Arroyo Takes Notes From the Record-Setting Oklahoma Offense
No one’s going to confuse Oregon offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo for Oklahoma wunderkind Lincoln Riley. The latter is arguably the brightest offensive mind football right now, and his offense is once again lighting up the scoreboard this season. The same can’t be said about Arroyo, whose offense has struggled at times to live up to the lofty expectations of highlight-starved …
Ducks Stun Colorado and Oregon Fans with Blow-out
We can’t let this happen again. No way, not under any circumstances. No ifs, ands or buts about it: we won’t let this happen again! Three years ago almost to the day, a 17th-ranked Colorado team came into Autzen and stunned the Ducks 41-38. In that game, redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Montez made his first career start, and boy was …
Colorado Discussion: Oregon’s Superb Point-Margin
I’ve been blustering about the Oregon offense and how I feel it is vastly underachieving its potential. Yet listening to Joey Harrington on Talking Ducks the other night helped give me a little different perspective on it. His 2001 team was truly the No. 2 team in the nation, yet that team won a ton of close games and the …
Winter is Coming: Will the Ducks Rule the North?
The last time Oregon was in the Pac-12 championship game, it handled the Arizona Wildcats in a 51-13 rout. As dominant and memorable as that game was, it was five years ago … Stanford, Washington and Washington State have each been a thorn in the Ducks’ side since then, preventing them from booking an early December trip to Santa Clara. …
First Half of CFB Season in the Books. Ready for Part 2?
And at the halfway poll … It always shows up suddenly, doesn’t it? Here we are in early October and many college football teams are already halfway through the regular season schedule. Does any sport have a longer offseason and a shorter regular season than does CFB? So, let’s review the bidding when it comes to the first half’s biggest …
Are the Defense-Minded Ducks Built to Win It All?
The transformation of Oregon Football under Mario Cristobal is in full swing. The days of scoring 40 points a game are officially over, as it’s clear his strategy is to grind out hard-fought wins by using his team’s size and strength advantage. For Oregon fans who grew accustomed to high point totals and exciting offensive highlights, this new style is …
No Worries, Because Oregon Is a DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL SCHOOL
The game against Cal was ominous in many respects for both our opponents (The nasty Oregon defense) and for the fans with the obvious reduction in scoring by the Oregon offense. I have not witnessed such a dominant defense at Oregon before, and it will certainly keep the Ducks in every game they play. The natural question that fans are …
Cal Game-Day Discussion: A Justin Wilcox Evolution Due to FishDuck?
That title seems like a tall order, but there have been so many stories associated with this website over the years that few know about. It’s been part of the rewarding aspect of associating with so many of you, as I have regaled so many of you with the real-life stories that have a twist at the end due to …












