Going, Going, Gone?
So, the Ducks get trounced by WSU.
Now they’ve fallen to #25 in the polls, and my question is simply this:
Who thinks they finish the season ranked now?
Here’s my calls for their remaining games:
Portland State: W
Washington: W
USC: L
Arizona: W
OSU: L (I know, this is a stupid call, but I’m looking for an upset as the Beavers try to prove a point to finish out their season).
If I’m right, the Ducks finish 8-4 (5-4 Pac 10) and make it to a bowl, but with many expecting this to be their year, is that good enough?
Discuss.
I hate to say it, but my ducks have been exposed. The season could be off the rails at this point, but there’s still 5 games left.
Anything is possible, simply because they’ve looked absolutely unstoppable at times (both sides of the ball), and they just self-collapse at other times (both sides of the ball). Oregon comes prepared to each game, and the script often does them well until mid-2nd quarter. But damn, the Ducks need to learn to adjust when the other team adjusts. This is a pattern I’ve noticed in the last few years.
I hope Dixon bounces back. And no, the Ducks aren’t going to lose to OSU. They can’t.
TK:
Exposed indeed. I agree with your observations about their lack of adjustment; it is a trend that has been evident the last few years. Although Mike Belotti has done a TON to bring the program up, I’m starting to get the feeling that he’s a great recruiting coach and a great big-vision guy but he just doesn’t have what it takes to make the calls in-game to get it done. And his coordinators often seem to suffer the same problems. Do you think it’s time to explore bringing in some fresh blood? And am I the only one that thinks Tedford should be our coach of the future?
About OSU: I hope you’re right. I believe, however, that you’re wrong…
Excellent comment sent to me personally from M.S., which I thought worthy of sharing:
“Rusty. As an old dyed-in-the-wool Washington State Cougar fan and fanatic it was very sweet indeed Saturday afternoon as Oregon ducks for cover! Couldn’t resist to comment. Go Cougs!”
Why excellent? Well, all views are welcome, good use of a “Ducks” pun, and I’m sure there are many other Cougar fans in P-Town who love hearing Ducks homers like myself eat crow.
By the way, the Washington schools have been better than I expected this year. I would’ve picked UW to beat the Ducks if their quarterback hadn’t gone down for the season. They were a bowl team for sure, which was a shock in itself. I don’t know if they can turn the corner after the recent injury, but if they do, they might surprise me (and U of O). And WSU has had strong performances in a narrow defeat at the hands of Cal and a thorough man-handling of the Ducks, neither of which were foreseen prior to the season.
I hate to do it, but my hat’s off to the Washington schools this year…
The Ducks WILL lose to both UW and OSU. Both of those teams are hitting their stride while the Ducks seem to be getting worse. There is no excuse for Snoop Heisman to come away from ANY game with only 28 yards on 11 carries. That points to an offense that is completely out of sinc and definite problems with the O-line. Pair that with their soft defense and there’s no way they win in Corvallis.