Props to Oregon

[Mace]

Okay, I've been one of those guys thinking that Alabama was the best team in the country and that their almighty defense would shut down any high powered offense they would face....until I saw what aTm accomplished against the Tide last night.

Also, I stayed up last night/early morning to watch Oregon dismantle Cal because I wanted to see first hand just how good that offense might be. I'd seen the highlights on ESPN but, until last night, had never watched a complete game. Now I have and I'm thinking that Saban wanted to lose last night just so he wouldn't have to face the Ducks and get totally humiliated in the title game. Unbelievable speed. Cal had a game plan to shut down the running game and force the Ducks to the air. They accomplished that part of the game plan but got lit up through the air for 6 TD passes. Granted, they were playing Cal, but I was extremely impressed with Oregon and think they'll make fodder of any opponent they face.

Now that I've given them my endorsement, watch them lose a game.

[War Wagon]

I stayed up last night/early morning to watch Oregon dismantle Cal because I wanted to see first hand just how good that offense might be.

I lasted until the end of the 3rd. Cal was giving them all they wanted until mid way thru that 3rd. It was 24-17 at one point and Cal was running the ball down their throats.

I'd seen the highlights on ESPN but, until last night, had never watched a complete game.

Me either, until last week when I saw them light up USC for 62.

Now I have and I'm thinking that Saban wanted to lose last night just so he wouldn't have to face the Ducks and get totally humiliated in the title game.

what? That's crazy talk. Saban would cheat against his own mother at Pinochle to win.

I was extremely impressed with Oregon and think they'll make fodder of any opponent they face.

I don't think that, not at all. Both KSU and Notre Dame would give them fits, as would several other teams not in the PAC.

[The Seer]

I don't think that, not at all. Both KSU and Notre Dame would give them fits, as would several other teams not in the PAC.

[Mace]

Now I have and I'm thinking that Saban wanted to lose last night just so he wouldn't have to face the Ducks and get totally humiliated in the title game.

what? That's crazy talk. Saban would cheat against his own mother at Pinochle to win.

I was joking, Wags.

I'm hoping for the Oregon-KSU matchup because I'd like to see Bill Snyder have his shot at a NC and because one of my old college buddies is one of his offensive coordinators. I'd like to see Snyder given the opportunity to prepare for a team like Oregon and see what Collin Klein and Co. could do. I think Oregon would be the heavy favorite to win but would be rooting for KSU and hoping that they could hang with the Ducks.

[War Wagon]

I'd like to see Snyder given the opportunity to prepare for a team like Oregon and see what Collin Klein and Co. could do.

Me as well, but Snyder and Klein get too much attention while that defense doesn't get nearly enough. They simply pummeled TCU (no slouch on offense) last night and had them shut out thru 3 qtrs. TCU scored a garbage time TD with less than a minute left.

I think Oregon would be the heavy favorite to win

Mebbe' so but while I'm not an odds maker, KSU has covered every spread this year 'cept the game at ISU.

I won't bet against them.

[Mace]

I'd like to see Snyder given the opportunity to prepare for a team like Oregon and see what Collin Klein and Co. could do.

Me as well, but Snyder and Klein get too much attention while that defense doesn't get nearly enough. They simply pummeled TCU (no slouch on offense) last night and had them shut out thru 3 qtrs. TCU scored a garbage time TD with less than a minute left.

I think Oregon would be the heavy favorite to win

Mebbe' so but while I'm not an odds maker, KSU has covered every spread this year 'cept the game at ISU.

I won't bet against them.

You're right about the KSU defense, they're very good. Their DC is a 30+ year coaching veteran and an Iowa boy too...Tom Hayes...who went to high school with Ed Podolak in Atlantic, IA...and I'm pretty sure they married sisters. Hayes will have his work cut out for him getting his team ready for Oregon....should that matchup actually happen.

[Mikey]

Teams with a decent defense can sometimes hang with Oregon for a half.

By the middle of the third quarter they're usually too spent to keep up.

SC was able to keep it relatively close because their high powered offense was working.

[Dinsdale]

Regardless how bad they are, Kal's defense is usually pretty reliable at home.

What worried me was that Maynard was out -- talk about addition by subtraction.

But I think Oregon just gave a few coaches a preview of what happens when you stack the box... you get scored on even faster.

Barner and Thomas; or Huff, Thomas, Addison? Pick your poison.

[M2]

Props to Oregon (and thank you)... you fuckers were making me nervous there for 2 and a half quarters.




The problem with Cal isn't the defense (still the best in the conference and it's not even close) just ask Oregon when was the last time they only had 24 points and a 7 point lead half-way through the 3rd quarter


It's Fatfurd doing what Fatfurd does. I could have written the script before kick-off and have probably only been off by a couple of points by games end.


Oregon only has 24 points at half-time and a 24-10 lead... then they get the opening kickoff of the second half and get stoned by the Cal defense on their first drive and have to punt. Cal get the ball and proceeds to pound and gash the Oregon defense for 9 to 12 yards a carry and scores a TD on only 7 plays or so.

The score becomes 24-17 Oregon and Cal has 182 yards rushing to Oregon's 78 yards on the ground.

Oregon gets the ball back on the next series and the Cal defense stones them once again and Oregon has to punt.

So as predictable as another MNC for Cal... what does Fatfurd do ???

He calls 3 straight passing plays with a qb in his 1st start EVER against the #1 team in the country instead of pounding the ball down Oregon's throat (which Oregon hasn't been able to stop all-night long).

Then Bridgford throws the oh so predictable INT and Oregon does what the best team in the country does and makes Cal pay for it.

No big deal, the score is only 31-17 and Cal must have learned from the mistake, right?

Hell no, we've got Fatfurd.

Who then proceeds to pass the ball every down for the next 15 minutes or so, and Cal is now down 120- 7 or something.

Of course, Isi (Cal's running back) who had 134 yards rushing in the 1st half... doesn't see the ball again til 5 minutes left in the game.


Thank god, I only have to live with Fatfurd for one more week. It's been a long 5 years of hell.

[Dinsdale]

The problem with Cal isn't the defense (still the best in the conference and it's not even close)

Well, you're half right (rare for you) -- it's not even close, that's for sure.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/s ... &sort=1124

[M2]

Just 1 more week... and even Van could coach Cal to 10 to 12 wins a year.