Welcome to the third installment of X’s vs. O’s. In this series, we will analyze how Oregon utilizes different schemes and techniques to attack and defend the opposition. Today, we will discuss how the Cover 5 defense matches up against the 4 Verticals (so called because it involves four vertical receivers) passing concept. These common enemies clashed in a third-and-long …
Oregon Can Get Defensive Help from an Unlikely Source
Oregon’s biggest problem, as all Duck fans know, lies with the defense. The unit is ranked in the bottom 10 in the country, for a variety of reasons. I have faith that Jim Leavitt can get things fixed, but he is going to need help if the Ducks are going to return to double-digit wins. I believe a strong offense can be a great …
Why Ducks Fans Should Root for Thomas Tyner As a Beaver
“Once a Duck, always a Duck.” And, “It’s not like he went to the Huskies.” Those are the first two things that came to mind when I heard Thomas Tyner was going to graduate, transfer to Oregon State and resume his football career for a year. The former all-everything back at Aloha High School and former Duck says he’ll be …
Is Chris Miller The Most Influential Player in Oregon History?
Dan Fouts is the hall of famer. Marcus Mariota is the Heisman Trophy winner. Joey Harrington is the state of Oregon’s favorite son. And Chris Miller? Well, he’s just the one who started it all. “Started what?” you’re asking. Started the winning. As we hit the thirty-year mark of Miller being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the 13th overall pick in …
Time for Pac-12 Football to Have the Best Bowl Schedule
With new state of the art NFL stadiums coming to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, it’s time for the “Conference of Champions” to be the champions of the college football bowl season. The Pac-12 and its less than stellar bowl tie-ins, long the ire of Pac-12 fans, especially when compared to the SEC and B1G, finally has an opportunity to vastly improve …
Kenny Wooten Brings Size, Athleticism, and Heart To Oregon Basketball
FishDuck Note: Oregon received the verbal commitment of Kenny Wooten yesterday, and it is expected he will sign a National Letter of Intent today with Oregon. He is an impact player, and we are fortunate to have Bob Rickert report on him immediately for all us basketball fans of our beloved Ducks. Charles Fischer Kenny Wooten brings a level of …
Secret Ingredients: What Made the Oregon Basketball Team Special
While the Oregon men’s basketball team fell just short of the pinnacle of college basketball this year, there is still a lot to be said of what this destined group did. I seemed to be the only person I knew who had them winning it all in my bracket, and I thought for sure that they would shock the world (and I would …
10 Reasons Why Oregon Spring Football is Better Than Sex
Spring is in the air, and you know what that means. It means it’s time for us to take our main squeeze by the hand, stroll on down to the park, lay out a blanket, and engage in our favorite pastime. Alright, alright, get your head out of the gutter, we’re talking about Oregon Ducks Spring Football! And here are …
Oregon Ducks Basketball Even Better Next Year? Maybe.
Processing what just happened in Arizona may take a little while, but Oregon’s coaches are undoubtedly ready to turn the page and get on with continuing to build the program. With a little luck like they had last year, the 2017-18 Ducks could have even more depth, experience and talent. It’s incredible but true. We’ll take the stance that everyone …
Oregon’s Final Four Loss to North Carolina in a Nutshell
Oregon didn’t lose to North Carolina because they didn’t block out at the end. They didn’t lose because they didn’t have Chris Boucher. Oregon lost because Oregon didn’t play as smart as they normally do. Bad shots and more bad shots Carolina goaded them into shooting not just 3’s, but deep 3’s. Very deep 3’s. Look at this shot chart. …
The Bizarro Reality of Life Without Matthew Knight Arena
Make no mistake about it. Without Matthew Knight Arena, the Ducks wouldn’t have Dana Altman, they wouldn’t have the talent, and they wouldn’t be in the final four. Or would they? Because in a disturbing alternate reality where MKA is still a piece of land with an old bakery on it, the Ducks would still be celebrating 2017 in the …
Final Four Keys To Victory for Oregon
Here we are, Duck fans. This is the stage on which we have all dreamed for years to see our beloved Ducks (78 years for those of you who have been around that long). With four games down and four teams left, here are four keys to Oregon taking home that National Championship trophy. 1. Balanced Scoring Effort While Tyler Dorsey …