Its pretty simple really. Oregon has better players than ASU and most teams in this league. Every team has good players though so if one team is ready to play and the other isn't , this is what happens. They still could have won if not for Herbert's poor play, but it was obvious it was going to be a tough game as it unfolded. Th emotion part is especially important on defense. The defense didn't play with their hair on fire as they usually do
Its impossible for a team to be emotionally ready to play every game in the course of a season. Its not a blatant disregard for the opponent. The coaches and players say and do all the right things, but on a partly subconscious level, they did not fear ASU. They were over-confident. You could tell during the game that the Ducks were not "up" for this game and that ASU was . Oregon got into it in the final quarter, but it was too late
Its hard to not get a little over-confident. I don't even really blame the coaches as this happens to ALL teams. Sometimes the better team still wins a close game, but they are at risk when the other team is more emotionally ready to play. The question now is what happens next week? OSU is VERY dangerous and if the Ducks are not at their very best, they can lose this game. My guess is that ASU was their " emotional vacation" week, and they will bounce back. No matter what, they will be playing Utah for the Pac 12 title and can still go to the Rosebowl. They have plenty to play for.
Its impossible for a team to be emotionally ready to play every game in the course of a season. Its not a blatant disregard for the opponent. The coaches and players say and do all the right things, but on a partly subconscious level, they did not fear ASU. They were over-confident. You could tell during the game that the Ducks were not "up" for this game and that ASU was . Oregon got into it in the final quarter, but it was too late
Its hard to not get a little over-confident. I don't even really blame the coaches as this happens to ALL teams. Sometimes the better team still wins a close game, but they are at risk when the other team is more emotionally ready to play. The question now is what happens next week? OSU is VERY dangerous and if the Ducks are not at their very best, they can lose this game. My guess is that ASU was their " emotional vacation" week, and they will bounce back. No matter what, they will be playing Utah for the Pac 12 title and can still go to the Rosebowl. They have plenty to play for.
