In the early season, rankings and expectations get ridiculous. Teams are measured not only based on performance and results but on the perception meter, this crazy standard where a team not only has to win but win by enough.
Many programs take the safe route, looking to pummel Tennessee State or Texas State in the opener and look like world beaters, puff up their ranking and get knowing nods from the alumni. "This is the year," everyone says. "We're loaded. We're unstoppable."
Oregon played a team with a pulse in Week One, a Boise State squad that had beaten them three times previously. Even so, the Ducks were supposed to win this game handily.
Instead, the Ducks overcame a 10-point second quarter deficit to win by a touchdown, which dropped them four places in the polls. LSU, which clubbed Clemson 51-10 in Baton Rouge, rose three spots to No. 8. Georgia, Notre Dame, Texas and Ohio State all crushed tomato cans opposition, preserving all of their preseason expections.
In the narrow win over the Broncos the Ducks exposed some problems and concerns:
1. Fourth down play-calling, 0-3 on fourth down. Turnovers on downs function like turnovers. They gave BSU momentum and short fields to work with. New offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer dialed up three passes behind the line of scrimmage, the receiver went sideways instead of cutting upfield and each time an alert defender shed a block and made a sure tackle in space.
It will be interesting to see if Mehringer shows more trust in the offensive line as that unit solidifies. Then again, at 6-0, 225 Jordon Davison is hard to stop when he needs a yard or two, completely capable of being his own block or making a decisive cut to save a play that is defended well.
2. A lack of commitment/execution in the running game. The Ducks had one rush for two yards in the first quarter, seven for 14 yards in the fourth. Is Jordon Davison on a pitch count? He had 12 carries for 90 yards.
3. The offensive line remains a work in progress, with heavy experimentation at the guard spots. Highly touted freshmen Tommy Tofi and Immanuel Iheanacho didn't play. Though pass protection was good, the Ducks didn't really move Boise State off the ball.
4. The defensive line was not as stifling and dominant as they were supposed to be. The Bronco offense had some success with first down runs, which kept them on schedule and ahead of the chains. Though Oregon didn't give any long runs, they didn't knock Sire Gaines, Dylan Riley and the BSU o-line back often.
Particularly disappointing was the lack of disruption inside. In the preseason Duck fans heard a lot about A'Mauri Washington, on the Feldman Freaks List with an 855-pound squat. Washington didn't look himself on Saturday, just one tackle, no hurries, pressures, batted balls or stuffs. We were expecting Derrick Harmon and got Canton Kaumatele.
Oklahoma State lost starting left tackle Jacob Sexton in the 24-10 loss to Tulsa, and they are fielding five new starters on the offensive line this year. This is a game for the Oregon defensive front to eat though Eric Morris' offensive scheme features a lot of quick and underneath throws. The Cowboys averaged just 4.2 yards per pass attempt in their opener.
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