OldMacManaic wrote:

it's good to see so many people back on the Oregon/Lanning/Stein/Nix bandwagon after a thorough thumping of the Utes. the effusive praise coming from all quarters is enough to make one blush. a rising tide lifts all boats, I guess. 

good outside perspective here from the SLC Tribune.
https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2023/10/29/domination-lines-missed-tackles/

Ducks dominated both LoS yesterday against a team renowned for its physicality. that was some serious B1G Football on a cold and windy almost-Nov day in a hostile venue. very similar to last year's pad-popping affair in Autzen--the difference being a healthy Nix and the additions Lanning and staff made during the off-season through the portal and recruiting.

Duck fans should be writing thank you notes today to Mario Cristobal and Big Joe Salave'a. Brandon, Popo, Keyon Ware-Hudson, Mase Funa, JPJ, Steve Jones, Marcus Harper, Patrick Herbert. and credit to Lanning and his staff for Connerly, Cornelius (Utes's star edge-rusher didn't show in the stat-sheet), Burch, Matayo Uggs, Taki Taimani, and the others.

this team can play w anyone in the country right now. three of the next four at home in sold-out Autzen. and then who knows. stay healthy, get a little lucky. play Oregon Football.

This quote from Whittingham sticks out:“Just a mystery, as good as we played last week and as many plays we made last week, to not be able to get much of anything going this week,” he said. “And again, a lot of that is Oregon. I don’t want to diminish what they did today at all, because the score wasn’t indicative. The game was a mismatch.”
The Ducks defense has improved every game, and Jacobs being healthy and rounding into shape is huge.
There were several true freshman getting big minutes and vets making huge plays. I questioned our D earlier this year, but it's solid now.
I agree, Ducks can play with anybody. I expect theem to be #7 when the CFP rankings come out. With Bo and the rest of the team being healthy, I'm saying there's a chance!

 

OldMacManaic wrote:

@org

this team does not have a weak spot right now. nobody noticed, but our punter averaged 50 yards on 5 kicks, one inside the 20, Ute returns totaled 13 yds. I would not wager a sizable portion of my 401(k) on Cam making the game-winning FG, but he'll find his stroke again.

last year's secondary came under a lot of criticism; raw stats were not pretty. some of that was the quality of QBs we faced, some of it was UO taking away the opposition run game, and most of it was lack of consistent pass rush off the edges.

Lanning, Tosh, and Coach Meat have plugged in Tyree, Tysheem, & Evan Williams. Jahlil and Trikweze have improved their play. Nikko Reed is turning into another nice get from the portal. pass rush is fearsome this year. they are moving Brandon around; saw some wild & unfamiliar stuff along the D-line v Wazzu last week.

I would like to see some of our other WRs step up more. yeah, if I were Bo I'd look for Troy every time. Tez is very effective from the flanker or h-back spot on that little drag across the middle, and he's reliable as a possession receiver when you want to move the chains. there's some real talent in that room--players who can RAC and take it house. 

Stein had himself a good day yesterday. five trips to the red zone, five TDs, scored by five different players, three rushing, two passing. that's the kind of efficiency and variation we needed last year; cost us a couple of games.

already texting re the tailgate feast next Saturday. great times to be a Duck.

I do feel like Bo locks in on Tez and Troy, and while you can't blame him, often others are wide open, so hoping we see Holden and Bryant getting some more attention. Scary how many weapons Bo has now. 
Yep, our punting was solid. I too think Cam will come up big for us if needed. 
Lanning and staff did a great job in the portal, and recruiting preps has been xlnt as well: lots of true freshmen making major contributions. 
I see this team improving every game. Onward!!!
 

Great game!! Ducks look like contenders!
I'm confused on one item...Nix threw three touchdown passes, to Franklin, James and Holden. Why do all news sources say he threw only 2? Is it because the touchdown to Holden was thrown backwards and behind the line of scrimmage? So is it a rushing touchdown?