It seems like every time we have played WSU the past several years it seems we same the same approach. Play soft coverage and let them march down the field by completing 80% of there passes. When they struggle against other defense, we have had no success slowing them down...even when much more talented. What I want to see more than anything is a new approach to facing this style of offense. Hope Leavitt can deliver.

Hyundai Sun Bowl

Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas
Dec. 29, 2 p.m. (CBS)

Bonagura: Virginia Tech vs. Oregon
Hale: Louisville vs. Oregon
entire article at:
http://www.espn.com/college-footbal...week-5-college-football-bowl-projections-2017

Login to view embedded media
6-0, 165, #23 CB in the country. Offers from Alabama, Louisville, Tennessee, LSU.

Only big change here as at QB. TE looks a little different too.

We have all been sort of talking about this exact thing but in talking to the players I got some candid responses about what the difference is with Herbert in vs. out. Basically the conclusion is that Herbert simply has the "live arm" that Alie does not. Those that catch balls from the two notice the difference.

While that will somewhat limit the offense, it is not a deal-breaker. The Ducks have the horses at all positions to make plays in space. They do have an OL that by-and-large has kept the quarterback safe.

What Alie (or Burmeister) cannot do is make mistakes, most namely turnovers. No interceptions. Do not stare down your receiver. Once either guy gets more reps these things become easier. They will have to learn fast if the Ducks want to go to a bowl we have heard of before.

Offensively I doubt we will see lots of shots downfield but those 12-15 yard post/seam routes will be available. Those have been money particularly if a TE is also available in a pattern.

Bottom line is if the QB can keep the INT's near zero, the Ducks have the offensive firepower to score touchdowns. And luckily this year, a defense capable of keeping them in the game.

A few notes from today's practice from our man on the scene.

• Royce is practicing full pads with the ones
• The practice order for QB: Burmeister, Alie, Burch, Irwin
• Nick Pickett is practicing. I did not see him working out yesterday
• Talked to Coach Heyward, asked about the Tyree ejection. He said "I could not ask him to do that any different." Also talked about Billy Gibson and Brady Breeze. I'll put up the video of that interview later.
• Four-star 2018 QB Tyler Slough was at practice on an unofficial today. Good time for him to visit with the QB situation as-is. Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton Rivals250 player is currently a North Carolina commit...but who knows?

Wondering if they have regrets for leaving Oregon now.

These two units were doing some 2 on 2 during our 20 minutes at practice. One thing that stood out to me was Thomas Graham's quick ID and reaction to the bubble screens.

Login to view embedded media

Take a look for yourself at the practice rotation at QB/RB they showed us yesterday. Royce Freeman did enter the practice carrying his shoulder pads and helmet but otherwise fully dressed down. That is not uncommon for guys who are practicing to do that.

But then during drills we did not see him. They have a training room right there and I don't go peaking into it, but that must have been where Royce was. But the fact he brought all his gear down to the practice area wasn't so he could practice carrying things. We only get 20 minutes of practice then we are kicked out. So who knows what happens then but here are the QB/RB drills we saw.

QB Alie, Burmeister, Burch
RB TBJ, Benoit, Felix

Login to view embedded media

Without a passing game I don't give us much of a chance so it will be very interesting to see what they implement for Allie. We have to try and keep WSU at least somewhat thinking pass as they have a good and fast defense and will be selling out to stop our run game.
Obviously, I expect to see some bubble screens and screens out of the backfield but I expect WSU expects that also. So....what do we come up with? I'm feeling Breeland may have a big role.
Any thoughts?

Did you catch this update on key prospects from the 2018 class, what they're doing under the Friday Night Lights?

Sometimes it's the kids in the middle of the class who develop into outstanding players. Jalen Jelks is a great example on this year's team.

Duck commit Miles Battle caught three touchdown passes for Cypress Creek last Friday, the last one in Oregon to win the game.

Oregon target Chase Cota caught 8 balls for 167 yards and FOUR touchdowns.

And you won't believe the show Talanoa Hufanga put on, or the entrance Willie Taggart made to watch it:

https://oregon.rivals.com/news/oregon-targets-commits-shine-under-the-friday-night-lights

I do understand the targeting rule but felt Tyree actually "led" with his shoulder, and could not possibly get his head out of the way. This photo by Tom Corno shows his shoulder making the contact and the point of his helmet right on the football. Looked like a great play real time to me.

And a follow up thoughts with Roy Williams. K is right.


http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...lue-devils-discusses-state-college-basketball

I imagine there will be some changes, soon. Bilas's idea to pay players just doesn't seem workable, and he hasn't offered any specifics as to how that would work.

Making HS grads eligible for the draft, with a 2 year minimum commitment to college makes sense, but has some of it's own problems, e.g., guys graduating HS a year early now...do we want 17 year olds in the NBA? Anyway, "the times are a changing."

Heard Alie might be out awhile on the pac 12 network

The injuries were devastating. How can a team deal with losing its three best offensive players, facing the #11 team in the country the very next week?

The odds seem impossible, even if Las Vegas thinks the Ducks have a pretty good chance to win (2.5 point favorites in some places).

Willie Taggart said after the Cal win that "this is a team that loves each other and loves to play for each other." Their effort in the 45-24 victory seemed to confirm that.

It's been a while since an Oregon team had that kind of character and focus, the resilience to push through adversity.

Even if the Ducks lose Saturday, if that fight and determination is there, it's still a great story, There are no moral victories, but the pride, the refusal to quit, the joy in the game, is the core of what will make them great in seasons to come. Improvement is success. Learning to trust each other builds success.

This will be a great season for the Oregon Ducks, and it's a tremendous story to watch unfold.

In any context in life, it's not what happens. It's how you respond to it.

Not a ton of photos of recruits this week. We have one of Penei Sewell which I'll add later. But here are some of the ones Tom got.

Drew Faoliu

The sophomore visited for the Cal game and I caught up with him to get his impressions. Though he is class of 2020, the Ducks are very smart to get ahead of the curve with him. They have a legit shot when the time comes.

Bowens talks Oregon visit

Willie Taggart just started his weekly Monday press conference. Here are notes on what he had to say

• Herbert "will be out for a while"
• Apelu out for season with broken ankle
• Everyone else is "day-to-day"
• Alie and Burmeister are nearly identical to him "Other than age they can do what we need for them to do."
• Jelks and Mondeaux have been playing "at another level" recently
• Swain is a guy who is ready to step up in the absence of Hotchkins and Apelu
• The Autzen crowd played a role in re-energizing his guys after the raft of injuries against Cal "They were rocking and rolling, swag surfing, and that helped."
• Burmeister is steady... "never gets too high or too low."
• "Absolutely" a chance Herbert will return this season. Confirmed fractured collar bone.

Here are the grades for this week. Fair?

Cal Grades: Offense

Caught up with Taji to get his notes on the trip last weekend.

2020 WR Taji Johnson details Oregon visit

I just wanted to say thank you again Scott for doing a tailgate and for having my friends and I by for drinks and food. Most of them were already pretty drunk by the time we got to you. Maybe a bit of something else too. Anyway...just wanted to say thanks again.

Saw this on the BB Front page. Has an early UO offer. Never say never.

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals...-1-point-guard-in-the-2019-class-cole-anthony

The injury rash continues.

Login to view embedded media

Eric Bossi takes a look at R.J. Barrett.

Starting Five