Fighton247 Board

Not a problem - seeing a rational Duck is a refreshing sight indeed

But we'll have to agree to disagree. Oregon and USC emphasize different talents in quarterbacks. Mariota is better at throwing on the run, but Bennet is a better pocket passer from what I saw (even though his pocket collapsed over and over).

And for Mariota, he did not face a good defense that day, IMHO.

His passes consisted of three types:
1) Long passes to receivers who outran their coverage (not impressive for QBs; it IS impressive for WRs)
2) Short passes to receivers standing still in the flats (not impressive for QBs; YAC yardage shouldn't be attributed to the QB)
3) Passes to WRs standing still in broken zone coverages (not impressive for QBs; shows inexperience in UO's secondary)

Yes Mariota did make some good throws on the run, but I repeat that the Dark teams defense did not pressure Mariota at all - which is exactly why he was calm and throwing well. Mariota could have had a picnic in the pocket.

Most importantly of all - Bennet has game time experience, which is why he should start. You can't expect a true freshman QB to perform well under pressure - that's one of the sacred tenets of football

Like I said, he has tons of talent and potential. Oregon has a flat out embarrasing schedule up until they face USC. I expect Oregon will be throttled because the new starters won't have experience against a good team. HOWEVER, I expect USC and Oregon will meet again in the PAC-12 championship game and IMO Oregon will be much, much better than the first match.

All this is JMHO

I would flip flop this (and it's not very close IMO) otherwise I agree with much of what you said. Mariotta would not have gone 80 yards in a real game on that play as the safety let up.

We should be in good hands either way, but as you guys mention lack of experience will be a big factor. Especially when one enters the Coliseum without having faced a team half as good as you guys yet. Will be a reality check.

Our OL is the weakness of the team? Hrm.

Ok. I'll tell you the POTENTIAL weakness of the ducks. It's not like Kiffin and co. don't already know. There are three of them. 2 aren't as big of causes of concern; 1 I believe is.

1.) Unproven WRs. Last year our WRs were lackluster to put it gently. Tuinei showed up for the rose bowl. Cool. Better late than never. This year we apparently have talent and speed out the wazoo, but no proven go-to guys except huff, who is looking at a suspension over a dui.

2.) QB. This one's obvious.

3.) The main Achilles heel of our team? I hate to say it. It's running back. It pains me to say it. Oregon has been like Running Back U the last few years. This year we have 1 and 1/2. Barner is one. Deanthony thomas (you all know him, right? [sorry couldn't resist]) is 1/2, as he's a weird hybrid position that isn't quite RB, not quite WR. Chip calls the position TAZR. Anyway, DeT isn't taking 15 hard hits a game. And who after that? A guys named Byron Marshall who isn't even on campus yet. He's still in high school. If Barner gets injured, which I'm thinking is more likely than not, we don't have a proven horse. Our running game goes away...and, well, I don't recognize THAT oregon team.

So there you go.

Now our OL? Not a weakness. I mean, they're kind of unproven, but we have solid leadership coming back in guys like Carson York. What they're not saying, is the guys who are taking off their red shirts for next year (Andre Yruretagoyena, Tyler Johnstone, et al) are bigger and more athletic than any OL group we've ever had. Every one of them was a 4 star recruit last year(because everyone knows the number of stars next to your name is the only thing that matters). Also, we have a guy from michigan, Jake Fisher, who started last year as a true freshman and held his own. He's huge. We have our center returning who was lights out last year, and we also signed the top OL JUCO prospect last year in Kyle Long. He comes from a long NFL stock.

...so I guess, of all the concerns we MAY have, OL is NOT one of them. I'm telling you. Watch RB. You think USC is thin, woof.

Thanks, guys, for the informed, civil discussion. In fact, now that I think about it, this has been more civil than a lot of conversations I have with duck fans. Half of them hate me over there because I call out the arrogant f'ing pricks. Anyway. You helped pass my grueling day at work.

Oh, prediction time: Oregon beats USC by the thinnest of margins at the coliseum. I think it will be a balanced attack on both sides, but surprisingly low scoring. Playing a cupcake schedule(btw, you can thank kansas st for backing out, wussies) will favor the ducks and their inexperienced WR/QB. I'll be there, and you couple of trojans are invited to my sick ass tailgate. I'll have a keg of Stone ruination and a keg of Rogue Hazelnut brown. Word.

Then oregon has an easier time at home the in the CG rematch(despite the maxim that good teams are hard to beat twice). Cheers!

Better get to the QB in a hurry.

Last thing I do is a bend but don't break defense. I overload blitz, I show heat from one side and bring it from another. Zone blitz, etc.. Hope I get sacks and takeaways, as I know I am going to give up some big plays as well.

OL for the ducks is definitely a weakness. Look at the pressure we got against them last year.

Fisher only started as a freshman because there was no one better. It's not like he beat anyone of substance to get that job.

And most are banking on a JUCO OL to start from day 1 at tackle spot. That's not a good thing.

I suppose it is better...until you figure out what Float(er)s are.

Hroniss Grasu, a totally badass center.

And saying USC loses only if they play poorly is pretty disingenuous. I made an honest effort to break the ducks down.

Citadel can beat LSU if they play really well.

The Citadel could play a perfect game and it would still require LSU to fudge it up big time for The Citadel to win that game. We're talking THE CITADEL.

Ducks float in the water - derpity derpy derp!

I do agree with you here. Proving it in a game is a whole lot different than a scrimmage against a mostly B team defense. Not even comparable to playing a good team in a hostile environment.

As a fan I despise our non conference schedule, but it may be a blessing in disguise this year.

The Bennett thing is 100% pure fan speculation, a what if scenario...

You've got a bit of an edge to you, brother.