I feel better writing about this game after having a few days to think about it.

The loss doesn't bother me that much since the Ducks are the better team.

What bothers me is that Riley had a much improved team this year and lost by almost the same margin. The gap hasn't closed at all. With better defenders and/or defenders a year older, Mark Banker made no progress in slowing down the Ducks. It's the same ol' where they can scheme pro style offenses or mediocre option offenses. The quotes in the paper leading up to the game bothered me, too. Does Georgia Tech's coach imply they have to play a perfect game to beat Georgia? Did Mike Leach say the Cougars had to be perfect to beat Washington? Does Oklahoma State feel so inferior when playing Oklahoma? That's what bugs me–the inferiority complex. The confidence this year was all a sham that was exposed on Saturday (and via the quotes leading up to Saturday).

Read this Langsdorf quote:

"We've had to hang in there and win a lot of games late," Langsdorf said. "We want to keep this game right where we want it and win it in the fourth quarter."

Why even put that thought in a team's head? Why not win it the game in the first quarter?

And Riley:

"You have to be perfect on (defensive) assignments all the time, but especially against Oregon. Then, fundamentally, you have to do some of those simple things that are hard to do: tackle in space, and make sure you have responsibility in the gap and responsibility in the option."

Perfect? That's giving the Ducks too much respect, don't you think? Quotes like that turn respect into palpable fear. Players sense these things. Beavs played slow, indecisive, etc. Their mindset is all wrong in these big games. That's what bothers me the most.

Game thread.

Go Beavs

If the Beavers, like Stanford, zone in on the RB and force Mariotta (rather than Barner) to run I think they can win this game. Just go after Barner/Thomas on every option. Mariotta is a beanpole–he will start to fear the contact.

The formula to win this game is straightforward and the same as past years: time consuming drives, open-field tackling, winning the turnover battle, touchdowns instead of field goals, converting 3rd downs, and getting stops on 3rd (and 4th) downs.

Beavs run defense was bad last week (gave up ~200 yard to Cal). Mannion got away with INTs. I know they scored 62, but if they play the same game vs Oregon they'll lose.

I've liked Oregon all year and feel they should play Alabama for the national title. My eyes tell me those are the two best teams. However, Beavs just have to be better for 3 hours on Saturday. If I'm a Beaver player, I'm confident, focused, loving practice this week, and Saturday couldn't come soon enough. Beavs have senior leadership, feisty underclassmen, and the home crowd. I think this all translates into something good; though, I can never take Riley over Kelly. I'll just say Beavs +10 is a juicy line.

(If Reuben Robinson plays significant minutes and/or rushing downs forget everything I wrote–Beavs will get creamed. Can't get away 11 vs 10 this week).

Two words, and they're not "win cap": Richie Harrington (aka Best QB on the Roster)! Richie was slinging it like back in the old days on YouTube.

Sorry Duckies. I believe in German they call this "schadenfreude". No worries, with Chip & Riley at their respective helms you'll always get the last laugh.