Washington Blinked.

It was the staring contests of old - a hundred and nine years to be exact and the Ducks did not blink.  Not only did they not blink, but it looked like they'd all had a gallon of Jolt before the game. 


I wasn't sure if they'd blink before getting back to the U.


Two games in a row, the Ducks D stared down an opponent's offense within the 5 yard line and both times, the Ducks D held.  I don't even think the "vaunted" SEC can match that for D.  And speaking of that "vaunted" SEC, I watched every SEC game that was on TV yesterday and I came away with a very distinct feeling that Oregon, USC, and maybe even Arizona would pretty much have their way with the top three, which is currently Florida, 'Bama, and LSU.


I specifically watched how the SEC defenses would potentially stack up with Oregon's offense and I felt really good.  Incidentally, I also compared what Oregon's defense might do to any of the top three's offense and again I felt really good.  At this point in the year, the only team in the top 10 that I felt might give the Ducks a close game was Texas - but that is right at this moment in time, end of year at this pace and I think the Ducks could look at playing the St. Louis Rams and beating them.


Let's look at that a moment, the pace that the Ducks are moving from first game to next.


Much as I'd like to forget the BSU game, I can't revise history.  Yes, the Ducks looked like they needed another two months of practice before getting on the smurf turf.  However, the Coach Kelly took the reins more firmly in his hand and away they went.  Remember, this was also CK's first game as a head coach, so growing pains were to be expected.  I just didn't expect the growing pains to be completed within three games.


Oregon kinda, maybe, sorta struggled against both Purdue and Utah, but then all that preparation, all those wise words spoken by CK, all the time, all the everything caught up and suddenly the Ducks were starting to look like they were at the end of last season.  California graciously allowed for the Ducks to simply kick that waddle into high gear and the Ducks haven't looked back since.


That is the mantra of CK, what's past is past and the only thing ahead is the very next game.


Sure the half hearted thought the season was over when Nate Costa became the starter for the UCLA game, but what happened?  We stayed with them through the first half and blew them out the second.


That seemed to me to be most of the problems yesterday, was that a vast majority of the teams that I watched play did a poor job of adjusting at half time or they seemed to have no motivation.  One of the things I have told others is that while it's nice to get off to a fast start, Oregon seems to be a 2nd and 3rd quarter team.  I think Oregon would be a 4th quarter team as well, except the Ducks are generally so far ahead that it's time for the 2's to get in.


The break down is as follows:

Oregon Ducks	0	0	8	0	8
Boise State	0	13	6	0	19
Purdue Boilermakers	7	10	7	12	36
Oregon	10	7	14	7	38
Utah	7	0	17	0	24
Oregon	14	7	7	3	31
California	3	0	0	0	3
Oregon	3	22	14	3	42
Washington St.	0	6	0	0	6
Oregon	21	21	3	7	52
Oregon	0	0	21	3	24
UCLA	0	3	7	0	10
Oregon	0	15	21	7	43
Washington	3	3	0	13	19
Oregon	48	72	88	30	238
Opponents	20	32	37	25	117

As you can see, the Ducks "tend" to start off slower, then, not unlike a steam locomotive, they get faster and faster until they can coast in the 4th.  In the bracket quarters (2nd and 3rd quarters bracket half time), Oregon out scores their opponents by a margin of 160 to 69 or nearly 100 points! If one were to literally throw out Oregon's points for the 1st and 4th quarters, Oregon would still have a margin of 160 to 117.


What does all this mean Verne?


It means, that the Ducks are now, where they were at the end of last year or at least close to it and that means trouble for everyone else in the Pac-10.  


For example consider LaMichael James.


LaMichael James is 4th among Pac-10 RB's (behind Gerhart, Rodgers, & Best) but his average yards per carry is better, (5.1, 5.47, 6.8 & 6.87 respectively).  James numbers per game are, 22, 56, 152, 118, 82, 152, 154 for a total of 735 yards with five games to go.  Notice how, like the Oregon offense, he got better as he got the touches?


Jeremiah Masoli is truly the General of Oregon's offense, perhaps we can start calling him General Masoli or "The GM" for short?  The GM showed on the 24th of October, to anyone willing to watch, why the rest of the Pac-10 is in trouble.  Easily, Locker had more throwing yards because he had more completions than The GM had attempts.  While I am sure that Locker is a very good QB, The GM is amazing.


Where do I start on Oregon's D? 


Note:  Warning to all other teams, don't get down inside Oregon's five yard line - you won't score.


Having said my caveat warning, CK mentioned before the season started that he thought Oregon's defense was actually better then the offense.  I can't tell if the D is better than the O, but I can tell you that between the two of them, they appear to be unstoppable.


Let me say now that Chip Kelly should be Coach of the Year and I will do all that I can to help ensure that.  I was ashamedly hovering over the Idaho coach and ours, but after Nevada whipped Idaho 70-0, well . . .


Now that the Huskies have been reduced to whimpering puppies, it's time to concentrate on USC and CK has already stated that come Monday morning at 6:45, it's game on!


Till next time, May The Quack Be With You.