With all the national and local coverage over this game, the analysis has been a tad overwhelming. We see these big games and sometimes you have one team on the come with another who has been sidestepping land mines on their way to playing for a conference title. That is NOT the case here. Both Oregon and Oregon State have just one loss since September ended. The Beavs fell at USC by a score to 42-36. OSU played them dead even, but made a couple of costly penalties and their one turnover gave the Trojans the ball inside the Beav 25 leading to a short field TD. State has won 6 of their last 7 with each victory by at least double digits save the 7 point win vs. UCLA. Sean Canfield has provided impeccable play at the quarterback position. Through the first five games of the season he was intercepted 4 times. Just two since against 12 TD throws and his efficiency has been the best in the Pac-10.
I don't see either defense shutting down the opposition. The Ducks have kicked it into high gear reeling off at least 42 points in 5 consecutive games. Even in the lone defeat, at Stanford, Oregon scored with 2 1/2 minutes to go cutting the Cardinal lead to 6 points. The onsides kick failed or they very well might have pulled out the game Down on the Farm. We saw what the Ducks did against a more experienced OSU defense last year and I think this unit may even have the edge on the 2008 version. Jeremiah Masoli is the ultimate crap shooter at QB. He never gives up on a play, loves to buy time and try to make something happen. You must admire that attitude, but with everything on the line this evening, he must value possession above everything. In particular on 1st or 2nd down, he's got to be willing to throw the ball away, or accept lesser gains rather than risk a turnover. At this point I defy any defense in America to hault the Duck assault. They are the only ones that can stop themselves. I'm not big on predictions, but I see the shootout many predict with both teams putting up at least 35 points. The over/under in this game is a sky high 62 points, but I think it gets dusted. As for laying all those 9 1/2 points. Not gonna touch it with a 10-yard set of 1st down markers.
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2 comments:
All that is good. I'm talking about tonights game. We come out with great play calling on offense and defense. Why is it that when something works we have to stop doing it. We had three straight possesions in the second quarter that were horrible. Run up the middle twice and then try a long pass. Our coaches show signs of brilliance then look like a third grader calling plays. By the way, nice prevent defense right before half. Allioti is a genius. Belloti should can all of them if they can't see there gigantic mistakes.
I agree with the comment. Our coaches should be to blame for the first half score. Our play calling or lack of it is an embarrassment.
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