The Oregon Ducks at 2-3 on the season have been outplayed on both sides of the ball in the Pac-12.
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Experience can only go so far without experience to back it up. I woke up this morning to a very gloomy sky and rain. It’s a good metaphor for what the Oregon Ducks Football team is going through right now. There are days where nothing goes right. We all have them. Sometimes the best medicine is to just trudge forward with a positive outlook and the clouds will eventually break. Mark Helfrich has been in this scenario for the last three weeks. There has to be light at the end of the tunnel and the hope is, it is sooner rather than later for the 2016 Ducks.
There are days where nothing goes right. We all have them. Sometimes the best medicine is to just trudge forward with a positive outlook and the clouds will eventually break. Mark Helfrich has been in this scenario for the last three weeks. There has to be light at the end of the tunnel and the hope is, it is sooner rather than later for the 2016 Ducks.
Recruits have come to Eugene raving about how the Oregon Ducks have the feel of a family. Family sticks together through thick and thin and fans need to come to this realization. Sure, as a fan you can diagnose all of the Oregon problems on the field, but it comes down to one simple fact. The talent around the Pac-12 has caught up with the Oregon Ducks. Years of domination and transitioning into being dominated. It’s part of the vicious circle that College Football sees every year, but not to Oregon – until now.
Oregon has the talent to compete with anyone, anywhere, but not in 2016. Talent takes time to shape at the College Level. Right now, it is clear that on Defense, it is a work in progress, but a work in progress will not be fixed in a week or a month. It takes a season and time to build. With the new Defensive scheme installed by Brady Hoke, the nuances of where he wants this team to be likely won’t be seen until next season.
When an ‘Air Raid’ Offense gashes you for six touchdowns ON THE GROUND, not a good sign.
There is no quick fix. Sure, Fire Helfrich and the entire staff. That is NOT a fix. It is a setback and a big one. If you fire the Coaching Staff, the sense of family is gone, recruits will scurry faster than if they were scared by a demon clown in the woods, and whoever Oregon hires will reset everything from philosophy and personnel setting this program back several years. Mark Helfrich deserves time to fix this.
If that is a season, then that is what he needs. If it is a five game stretch, then give it to him. He is dealing with a lot of youth on both sides of the ball and these are College Students after all. They’re kids. The hope is a bowl game for Oregon right now, but the reality is they may be looking at four straight losses next Saturday night.
A month of experience on the field needs to translate into a few big plays this week for someone. The Identity of this team has been in question. The journey of 2016 continues into a week that means more to most of the players than anything. Hate Week has arrived.
Washington is coming to Eugene. The best Huskies team in many years. Not only can a Statement be made and a player be transformed into a household name overnight, but a win could set this team straight for the rest of the season.
Next: Washington State Runs Past Oregon
Oregon and Washington kickoff on Saturday at 4:30pm Pacific Time on FOX.