I played nice for a day. I pondered the reasons Boise State might win this football game on Thursday. Turns out, I probably should risk everything and put all I have on an Oregon win. It’s a lock. Here’s why.
- Revenge. I normally don’t get too hyped on the revenge angle. It has failed to matter so many times before, but this is different. From everything I’ve read this preseason (and it’s a lot), I get the sense Oregon has been locked in on Boise for a long time. They’ve been a little loose with the lips which, given Oregon’s usual reserved nature, tells me this really means something to them.
- Jeremiah Masoli. As much as Kellen Moore can be a catalyst to a Boise win, his Oregon counterpart at QB will have a bigger impact. Given Masoli’s rather well-mentioned absence from quarters 2-4 last year, he has a chance to be the biggest difference in this year’s game for the Ducks. The fact that Oregon is guaranteed to complete at least one pass in quarters 2 and 3 should help.
- The home factor for Boise isn’t that big of a deal. Oregon has played in bigger, more intimidating venues and done fine. Sure, the Ducks may not face a more rabid set of fans per person, but there’s only so much 30,000 people can do. You can’t tell me Reser Stadium in all its processed foods glory isn’t a tougher venue with a Rose Bowl on the line.
- Oregon’s Offense. This offense is really going to click this year. I know that’s saying a lot after the previous two record-setting seasons, but the talent across the board is amazing. They have a vertical passing threat in Jamere Holland and multiple playmakers that will line up all over the field whether it’s LeGarrette Blount, Ed Dickson, LaMichael James or even Kenjon Barner. I’m not in the camp that is concerned about Oregon’s offensive line. Steve Greatwood is a proven coach that will have his big uglies operating at a high level.
- Defensively capable (I think, but I probably shouldn’t have said so…I’m sure to regret this). I’m not going to say Oregon has a defense you can count on to win a game. There’s just no proof of that. However, if practice means anything, it’s possible the Ducks are bringing a defense that can get after it. It’ll be interesting to see if Boise State can tax the Oregon defense as efficiently as they did last year despite major losses at wide receiver and running back. (EDIT: Giving this some more thought, I’m not sure I trust Oregon’s defense to handle all the misdirection and motion of the Boise offense. I’m certainly not expecting Oregon’s defense to be the cause of victory. More likely, it will do just enough to let the offense take control.)
GD Star Rating
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What, no comment on the cheap shots? I am disappointed.
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I can’t believe I forgot that! You don’t come this far to completely fail. I’m shamed. Just for good measure…
6. All Oregon QBs throw the ball so the use of late hits is nullified in this game (wait, I used that same concept last week…I’m running low on material. I need this game to happen.).
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Love the blog my man! I agree, there’s no way Boise St. is ready for what we’re about to bring. I like how Chip the Skip says he likes the mindset of our players in reference to getting jazzed for the opener.
Line in Vegas is like 4 points to the Smurfs… that seems like a money maker to me.
Go Ducks!
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I don’t know man, im a certified duck crackhead and reading your points i definately agree and think that the major factor is going to be masoli of course. I see us coming out and throwing pretty much our entire first posession all the way down for a touchdown to make a statement for last year.
But im still a duck fan, and that with it comes the knowledge that something totally F*cked up is going to happen to us and i just can’t shake that feeling.
But i think its time we teach the smurfs that respect is earned, and you can’t cheat shot your way to the top.
I’ll be wearing Gargomel shirt thursday.
41-28 Ducks baby
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Matt – Great call on the Gargamel shirt, I’m all over that.
Also, I have to say I love the stormtrooper look, and am really hoping that’s what they wear. Who cares if we win or lose, I just want us to look good doing it.
Kidding of course. Who else is stoked to see LaMichael run the ball? Very interested…
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WELL, LOOKS LIKE YOU SAW A WHOLE LOTTA NOTHIN’! LOL
AND YES, SOMETHING TOTALLY F*CKED UP HAPPENED, THE BABY DUCKS COULDN’T TAKE THE HEAT AND THE ONLY CHEAT SHOT THAT WENT ON LAST NIGHT WAS A SORE LOSING DUCKY HITTING OUR SMURF. AND YOU GUYS WANT RESPECT??? HUH!
GO BSU- THE RESPECT IS ALL YOURS BABY!!!
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Not asking for anybody’s respect, really. I can’t defend anything about what I saw from the play on the field to the action after the game. That was unlike any performance I’ve ever seen from Oregon. I’m totally blown away by it all.
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I just think its time BSU gets the respect they deserve. Last night was crazy but after all the trash talking and excuses for OR loosing last year, its time BSU is recognized for being a good team and not for “cheap shots”. Not sure what happened with OR last night but either way BSU won again and that says something.
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My mouth is officially shut when it comes to the matter of Boise v. Oregon. I think there are legitimate arguments to be made about whether or not Boise should be a BCS team because of the fact that the schedule has been set up far too easy compared to what other teams have to do to get there. However, in head-to-head matchups, Boise has proven themselves twice against Oregon now and last night did so in legitimate fashion by controlling the lines. My respect is with Boise in that regard.
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Nick, I agree with all your points except #5. Now that Chip Kelly is head coach, the “bend but don’t break” era is over. Kelly will be much more involved in the defense than Mike Bellotti was, and I’m guessing the new defensive philosophy will be “3 and out” on every series. It will be interesting to see how many“3 and outs” we get this year compared to last year.
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One more point, we will “handle all the misdirection and motion” much better this year, because Chip Kelly expects the defense to play faster this year. This means our defense will be in the “right spot” before the offense comes up to the line of scrimmage and be ready to adjust when people go in motion. I also think that even though we will still concentrate on stopping the run, we will pay a little more attention to the play-action-pass and the tight end in particular.
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Hi Nick, You’re doing a stellar job with the blog if you don’t mind me saying! I do think however, that our defense, with the added wrinkles and tweaks Nick has added, will be very proactive to the point they can even put 8 or 9 in the box on certain looks. The way this defense is built seems to be as advertised this year with “9 guys who can run like hell.” So I do believe this group on the D side of the ball will to greater degree, become difference makers. 54-24 Oregon! GO DUCKS!!!
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Under Bellotti, the defense was given a mandate: Stop the run at all costs. We totally contained their running game last year, but in doing so gave up the pass. I wonder if Kelly will place the same emphasis on stopping the run, or whether he will demand a more balanced approach from the defense?
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I really don’t believe that Chip will change much on the defensive side of the ball. Bellotti has always had Aliotti’s back, and im sure it was discussed in the coaching change that Aliott’s defense scheme is all up to him.
What we can say though is we should be more prepared for the motion shifts just before the snap of the ball. And those stories about team speed on defense last week somewhat touched on that. They have personnel that they want to use to be able to combat that.
I still think the Ducks D is stop the run first. But with coach azz new d line schemes, we can hope he employs more stunts and confusion for there young o-line than what Coach Gray used to teach, just shoot upfield.
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How about the top 5 things we can’t wait to see on thursday??
1. Its gotta be LaMichael James. There has been just so much hype on this kid and we have all seen his youtube videos, in our offense, watch out.
2. If Masoli can continue the success and dominance he displayed down the stretch last year. The kids a gamer and his running ability will always be there (awesome) but hopefully the somewhat lackluster fall camp was due to a constant change at the top receiver spot
3. If Greatwood has pulled together a cohesive starting unit. The experience is light, but its there at critical spots. The zone blocking scheme and constant motion in the spread will help to mask some of the poor play. But the snaps and exchanges can completely ruin us if not consistent.
4. The D-line looks like to a rotational group rather than a true starting 4, which is ok. There is alot of range in the ability of the 4 interior lineman and Kenny Rowe could be a bad mammal coming off the edge.
5. Coach Kelly’s onfield personna. Whats he gonnna be like down 7 with 1:10 to go? Bellotti was the dahli Llama of cool, Kelly has the northeastern rabble rouser blood so it will be interesting to see him on the big stage. We probably could use some passion.
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Thanks to everyone for contributing to the blog and for the kind words (WTD, no, I don’t mind you saying
). It’s a better place with you all here.
I’m somewhat surprised at the confidence in our defense. Perhaps Chip Kelly will save Aliotti’s reputation through osmosis. I’m all for that. I liked what I read recently about the defense playing fast like the offense. I have high hopes for them, but until the first 3rd and long of the season, I’m a skeptic.
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I agree with WTD. You are doing a great job with the blog and creating alot of DUCK Fan chatter. Isn’t that what is so great about football? Is it thursday yet? I can’t sleep!
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Nick, pretty good blog dude! I tend to have a lot of the same opinion, but disagree some. Overall, good job.
Matt, hey buddy, get some analysis other than what has been written by guys who get paid for it. Oregon’s D will be entirely different. WHY DO YOU THINK AZZINARO WAS HIRED??? Why is Chip bringing in all new coaches except Greatwood (proven stud), a couple who have been in the program forever, and do we need to explain why Aliotti is still around??? Why yes we do because most of you do not get it. Aliotti is only around because of his loyal ties with Bellotti and he is not quite ready to retire. Oregon does a great job taking care of its own and transitioning properly and that includes a serious understandment that this is also a business that most people seem to forget, so do not throw the “Pflugrad” possibility at this. For the record, Aliotti’s defensive scheme has changed quite a bit under the new HCIC (that’s Head Chip in Charge). On a basic level of Aliotti’s defense changing is due to AZZ redesigning a more formidable and quicker DLINE.
Come on now, figure this stuff out. Aliotti will not be here to much longer.
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Hey take a look at the 100 plus redundant articles across the web man, everything has been written. Even exactly what you are talking about. Your just another Aliotti hater, you have no idea what he can do with a new Dline scheme and whatever else he is planning on.
And i don’t know how you can say at this point a more formidable and quicker dline. quicker possibly, but more formidable? you really are missing it if you think our dline in the past has struggled at all against the run, and we led the conference in sacks last year!
How about you just see how this year goes? aliotti knows what needs to be done and what is expected of him.
Stop hating on a Duck coach.
GO Ducks
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Especially with this Boise State game. Everything has been said so many times so many ways…they just need to place this game and get it over with already!
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boise is 3-11 vs pac-10 or so i’ve read… something like 64-2 at home though. couldnt pass up on the ducks +150 though. If boise wins i’ll tip my hat but lets face it masoli is going to be a beast, blount going to be hard to stop and boise offensive and defensive lines arent the same as last year. lets hit it. chip Kelly better have the boys ready.
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A lot can be said about the hit on Masoli last year. I thought it was clean. Oregon is not known for their defense. Offensively they scare me. I think both teams can score tonight. That being said, I’m a Bronco. If it comes to a shootout with Boise in Idaho, I’ll have to take the Broncs. Turnovers will probably decide this game. Close one I hope. Good luck to you Duck fans.
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