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| Field Goal good. Stanford wins. |
Go ahead, Duck fans. Press play on the video, scroll through the pics and join us in letting it all out. . .
Shocked. Stunned. Saddened. This wasn't supposed to happen.
Oregon crushed Stanford at Palo Alto last year, and that was WITH Andrew Luck. They weren't supposed to be that much of a threat this year -- definitely not at Autzen.
The previous night at a dinner gathering, a person asked me if Oregon could win the big games, citing Ohio State and Auburn as evidence that they they struggled against big physical teams. I reminded him of Oregon's win over meat-and-potatoes Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. And then I assured him that Coach Kelly had solved that problem through better recruiting and play calling. I should note when I said this it was early in the dinner party, so I had only barely begun libating.
Was it more wishful thinking than fact? Stanford had their own answer to that question, didn't they?. Play Stanford again and Oregon could win in typical fashion, I believe. They could have moved the pocket around by design so Mariota can maintain control. And for goodness sake PLEASE give DeAnthony Thomas the rock.
Not counting kickoffs and punt returns, DAT touched the ball exactly 10 times. Seven rushes, three passes. Was he guarded on pass plays? UNGUARD HIM. Do whatever you have to do to get him the ball in open space. As good as Stanford's defense is, they ultimately have NO answer for DAT. But Oregon didn't do enough to force the issue.
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| Adding to the misery, the Ducks wasted a particularly good looking uni-combo on this loss. |
Losing is a disappointment to be sure. But facing it gives you new strength. Dealing with it helps you cope. If the primary goal is no longer obtainable, other goals may still be achievable if not more so. If you approach it right, often times you can come out better and wiser in the end despite the initial set back.
Oregon's chances of going to the Natty are slim to none as of right now. But then 'Bama's or Notre Dame's chances were slim to none a couple of days ago. Things could change, but they are beyond Oregon's control. The Rose Bowl is the primary hope now, just like last year.
A more troublesome reality is Oregon might not even get a chance to defend it's triple Pac-10/12 Champion streak. Of all teams to lose to, Stanford was the worst, because they now sit in the driver's seat to represent the North in the Pac-12 Championship.
It works like this. Next week, Oregon plays Oregon State and Stanford is at UCLA. Oregon wins and Stanford wins, Stanford goes to the Pac-12 Championship. Oregon wins and Stanford loses, Oregon goes. Both Oregon and Stanford lose, Stanford still goes.
Hard to believe that winning the Pac-12 was the least of Oregon fans' worries just a couple of days ago.
But they must only focus on one thing now, the Civil War at Oregon State. And given this loss, and OSU's 62-14 win over Cal, the Ducks would be wise to approach this game from just one perspective. . . .
UNDERDOGS
One Coach Chip Kelly-ism is, "If you're nervous, you're not prepared." Well given Saturday night's game I pose the question, "Might you also be unprepared if you are overconfident?"
Was Oregon overconfident against Stanford? The coaches at Oregon will tell you that they were prepared for Stanford's defense. But they obviously were not prepared for Stanford's overwhelming success.
And in the cruel world of only being as good as your last game, the Ducks cannot assume that they will be completly prepared for the Beavers. Oregon will lose if they don't play better than they did against Stanford.
There's no reason to think the Beavers will be an easier foe than the Cardinal. The Ducks must prepare for grittier competition. A tougher game. No more lopsided 30-minute victories.
The Riley-on-the-bubble talk before the season began popped a long time ago. He will have his Beavs ready to ruin the Ducks season.
BACK TO WORK
OK Oregon fans. Shut off Roy and wipe the blubber off your faces. We've got more days to win.
FAST-HARD-FINISH
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