I wanted to get this party started with the prediction for the Auburn score. I think that the duck offense is going to click better this year. With Herbert at the helm and experienced deep and smart offensive line that is very well-coached, I think that is the basis for everything else.

Defensively I really like what the Ducks have going on but they're going to need to prove it on the field.

All that said I'm going to go to the score of Oregon 28 - Auburn 23

Says Whipple is hearing from UO and other P12 schools.


https://www.oregonlive.com/recruiti...-could-be-oregons-2021-breakout-prospect.html

Remember the quarterback from Southern California that we were so high on that went to Alabama? Poor guy spent one season at Bama, then went to Arizona State for one season, and now he’s in his second season at the University of South Florida who is really crappy…tough route.

Based on my predict a score question, I wanted to go ahead and just ask this binary question. Lots of folks seem to be doubting but I want to get an idea the magnitude.

According to a couple of posters on another
Oregon website, Adrian Jackson is out with a severe foot injury. He has had to have screws put in his foot. If true, this is bad news for Adrian and the team.

I was reading through their comments about Herbert and the consensus at least among the vocal fans was that he would be about the fifth best QB in the SEC and they do not understand why people think he is elite. They are basing it on statistics alone, which as we know, can be shown to support any case. Still though, I'm a little surprised at the lack of respect. But again, that is their fans, not their team.

This one doesn't have numbers or much of anything, eg, recruiting star rankings. Maybe someone knows of a better one with 2 deep AND player numbers...and maybe star ratings?

https://www.al.com/sports/g66l-2019...-depth-chart-for-season-opener-vs-oregon.html


Rivals Aubs has one but it's premium content.

https://auburn.forums.rivals.com/threads/the-current-depth-chart-—-in-pdf-form.949339/

Chip already down 10-0 in the first...and his QB overthrew the TE wide open for a TD.

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Tony Brooks-James breaks loose for 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in Atlanta's last preseason tuneup. Awesome to see. In Jacksonville, not that far from home.

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Justin Hollins with a sack and two pass deflections for Denver in a 20-7 win over Arizona.

Oh, and ScoDuck Johnny Wilson had a pair of touchdowns for Calabasas tonight.

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The website sportsreference.com says Calvin Throckmorton is questionable with an ankle injury.

USAToday also lists him as Questionable.

Ducks would likely go with Brady Aiello at RT and Warmack at guard if Throck can't go.

I am not sure how hard Oregon is recruiting Morton, but he lists them as a new school on his list.

link: MORTON UPDATE

Any DSAers getting together in Dallas?

For a reminder that Duck football is bigger than one game, and the Oregon squad members are more than just football players, please enjoy this story. It's an exceptional read:

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/08/29/k...mmqb&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social

The Ducks are running a little bit counter to the trend in college football scheduling-wise. Most programs, Stanford and USC being notable exceptions, schedule to protect their record and give themselves the maximum chance for the playoffs or a big bowl, the most glaring example being the SEC schools booking a home game against Samford, The Citadel or Southern Idaho in November.

The formula for many teams seems to be play 8 conference games and 7 to 8 home games, never leave your home region and build in as many breathers and cupcakes as possible.

That's safe, but it's not how you get better.

What the Ducks have done instead is to test themselves head-on against the most storied programs in the sport, traveling to Arlington this week to face Auburn, slating a home-and-home with Ohio State and a future trip to Atlanta to meet Georgia in the Kickoff Classic (2022).

The Ducks will find out right away and annually how real their progress is, whether they've closed the gap with the best competition.

They had some trouble on the road last year. This outstanding group of freshmen are getting a crash course in hostile environments and big games. No reporter can reasonably ask them in the future, "How do you prepare for Team X? Is there any special pressure in facing a powerhouse, nationally-ranked opponent in Week 1?"

From this point forward, the Ducks can know "we've done it before." And they'll quickly find out what the standards are, how ready you have to be to face a team with elite speed and physicality.

Then their next challenge will be taking the lessons of this game, whatever they are, whatever the outcome, accepting them, and facing forward to the next game and the next.

Losing or winning in Arlington the goals and challenges are the same. Either outcome is a beginning, not an end.

IF he can hold onto the ball, and I bet he can, then he should have a big season. "Enough is enough."

https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest...ts-wide-receiver-acrobat-johnny-johnsons-time

Apparently, they really spiked with him calling plays vs Purdue. I like Gus, but hated his predecessor.

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This preview popped up too.
Watched it and it's worth a look, but not great news. Makes the point that the WR injuries are changing his outlook from last Spring.
Auburn is faster and more physical than anyone else we will see this year, Nix is not your "average" FR QB, by far, besides, we might actually see both QB's play, especially since they can both run....yada, yada....



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On the coach's show tonight Mario Cristobal noted the Ducks had a team G.P.A. of 2.99. He said he believes the academic discipline carries over to the football field.

Today Alabama just lost their starting middle linebacker Dylan Moses, torn ACL, out for the year.

After Tua he's the heart of their team.

Win or lose in Arlington, the Ducks need Justin Herbert to leave the Lone Star State healthy.

Auburn has a great defensive line, physical up to and beyond the rules.

I posted this clip before, but I'm including it here because I think it shows that Derrick Brown, in addition to being a great player with an NFL first round future, plays in a way that includes a willingness to endanger the safety of other players.

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It's an impressive physical feat that illustrates his dominance and strength, but he's driving the Purdue halfback into the ground at the head and neck.

The much-hyped Oregon offensive line can't allow Brown, Nick Coe, Marlon Davidson and Big Kat Bryant to get multiple shots at Herbert. They can't let him get beat up. They have to give him a chance to keep the Ducks in the football game.

Hasn't even practiced...for how long? Article says he has practiced, but when?

https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/20...las-will-be-game-time-decision-vs-auburn.html

Coach really though they practiced well today. Not sure coaches talking about great practices ever has correlate with wins but maybe this time

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