Week 1 of college football is in the books. All in all, it was a weekend more or less devoid of drama, the glaring exception being the Ducks’ epic collapse against Auburn (c’mon, it’s time to move forward). But interesting storylines and developments were aplenty. You just need to do a little digging to find them. Week 1 News, Notes …
The Oregon Offense: New Outside Zone RPO
You don’t have to be tuned into a televised football game long before you start to hear commentators throw around the term RPO. Most people have a basic understanding of what that is: a run-pass option. Though it’s easy enough to understand that these are plays with both the option to run or to pass, packaged together, not everyone knows …
Auburn 27, Oregon 21: Coaches, Players Blow Their “Statement”
My friends, we have a treat every Wednesday during the season with an analysis of the prior game from Coach Ken Woody. It is a tremendous opportunity to learn more football from a coach who played at Oregon and coached college football for his entire career, and we welcome him back for the 2019 season. To see his prior analyses, …
Cristobal Needs to Address Oregon’s Biggest Weakness
I started out the college football season last Thursday night watching the Chip Kelly-led Bruins embarrass themselves on national television. Watching the debacle unfold further cemented my opinion that Chip did not compensate for his weaknesses when he took the job. He didn’t hire a good defensive coordinator and he clearly didn’t hire a staff that likes to recruit, unlike …
Oregon’s Offense is Terrifyingly Familiar
It took 243 days of preparation to score 21 points. Twenty-one points would be unsatisfactory even if Oregon had had just one week to prepare for the Auburn Tigers. And Oregon had 34 weeks. Thirty-four weeks to leave last season’s abysmal offensive performances in the past. Rushing Woes CJ Verdell had a respectable 14 carries for 76 yards and a …
Post-Game Press Conference: Auburn Players Say, “Oregon Would Be Mediocre in the SEC”
Note: After every game this season, we will have a correspondent from FishDuck.com at the Opponent Press Conference to learn what the coaches and players of the opposing team are saying about our Beloved Ducks. The first one is from Mike Ostrom in Dallas, Texas, and we are grateful for his time and expertise. Fourth Quarter Play Calling Not True …
Oregon vs. Auburn: Before, During and After the Game Thoughts?
(The Featured Photo at the top is of the fateful play in the 2010 championship when the running back decided to take it inside on 4th down …) My friends, we began a new tradition last year of having an article on Saturdays that served as a “GameDay Thread,” so we could post our thoughts before, during and after the …
How to Enhance the Autzen Stadium Experience in 2019
When caught up in the moment, it’s easy to exaggerate and embellish the facts. That’s not the case with the Autzen Stadium experience. There’s truly nothing like watching a football game in one of the most raucous, breathtaking and spectacular stadiums in the country. Whether you’re an Autzen regular or a first timer, I can promise that the experience will …
Get ON With It — Eight Questions for Oregon Football in 2019
Oregon fans are breathless with excitement and anticipation for football season and the opener against the SEC’s Auburn Tigers. Some have the Ducks as the favorite, others the Tigers, but this game will be won by the team whose quarterback plays the best and whose team has the best play calling. That would seem to favor Oregon at quarterback, as …
2036: A College Football Scheduling Odyssey
“I know I’ve made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I’ve still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you.” – HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey (although it could be any guy pleading with his wife …
2019 Oregon Football: The Year of NO EXCUSES
I have never been so torn going into my annual “prediction” article, and now I know how some football recruits must feel on the day they decide; do they follow their head or their heart? I’ve explained my lack of confidence in the offensive staff, yet coaches do improve as players do … and at this time of year hope springs …












