There was a blended response for Oregon Duck followers when former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix introduced that he was packing his luggage for Eugene and becoming a member of the Geese through the switch portal on December 19 of final 12 months.

The reactions have been comprehensible and justified, in fact. I imply…this was Bo Nix, the identical quarterback who briefly derailed Oregon’s 2019 season as a freshman by upsetting Justin Herbert and the Geese within the opener. After that, the Auburn prodigy’s profession confronted a whole lot of ups and downs. He briefly confirmed flashes of brilliance, bringing again reminiscences of that SEC Freshman of the 12 months season. Extra typically, although, he cobbled collectively anti-highlights, making it straightforward for nicknames like “Bo Pix” or “Dangerous Bo” to be thrust upon him.

That’s what was coming to Eugene? That’s what Oregon followers needed to stay up for after gritting their tooth by way of a 12 months of Anthony Brown trying to run Mario Cristobal’s vanilla offense? Have been the Geese actually buying and selling a boring previous journey down the lazy river for seats on a curler coaster the place the security belt may be malfunctioning?

It’s a deal that Oregon followers weren’t too thrilled about on the time, however now, after 4 video games, I’m positive many are fast to neglect about their hesitations. There’s no different method to say it — Bo Nix has been a implausible participant for the Geese up to now this 12 months.

The Bo Nix expertise was on full show for the Geese towards Washington State. It featured among the best video games of his profession — 428 yards and three TD on 33-of-44 (75%) passing. It additionally featured one of many worst throws he’s ever made — a telegraphed pick-six that went 98-yards in the wrong way for the Cougars.

“Bo did an excellent job,” head coach Dan Lanning mentioned after the sport, a 44-41 win. “He can’t get a lot worse than throwing pick-six as a quarterback, and to reply the way in which he responded and our group responds to Bo the way in which they responded, I believe that exhibits the last word confidence that this group has in Bo.”

Apart from the offensive struggles within the pink zone, and naturally the egregious decide, Nix was nothing wanting nice on Saturday. His stat line was spectacular irrespective of who you play, not to mention towards a protection that ranks contained in the top-20 in most classes.

If you wish to harp on his interception, I cannot cease you. It was a telegraphed go on a nasty play name that can go on the educating tape for younger quarterbacks to study what to not do within the pink zone. These are the kind of performs we knew got here with the Bo Nix package deal, although, and to be trustworthy, we’ve seen fewer by way of 4 video games than I might have anticipated. He could have an errant go occasionally, or attempt to drive a ball into protection, however these are issues that any faculty QB goes to present you. You’re taking these issues.

It’s the opposite issues that Nix brings to the desk that I wasn’t conscious have been ever a chance.

After 4 weeks, I believe it’s time we begin having a brand new dialog concerning the Oregon QB. He’s earned that, on the very least.

Put apart the “unhealthy Bo remains to be lurking” discuss and have a look at issues objectively for a second. Working underneath offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, it seems Nix is snug and assured, and he’s keen to push the ball down the sphere when the protection provides it to him. Can he proceed to enhance? After all. Each QB has quite a few throws per sport that they need again. The ceiling that we’ve seen from No. 10 by way of these first 4 video games although has been exceptional, and fully sudden if I’m being trustworthy.

When Nix got here to Oregon, everybody was conscious of the draw back that got here with him. Duck followers knew that turnovers may very well be plentiful, and a part of the frustration on the signing was the truth that his upside didn’t do a lot to thrill you. They thought they have been in for an additional mediocre 12 months with irritating quarterback play.

That’s the place everybody was fallacious, although. As a result of whereas turnovers are nonetheless lurking at instances, the ceiling that Nix has proven this season has been exceptional. By means of 4 video games he has 1,100 yards, 10 TDs, and three INTs on a completion proportion of 71.9%. On high of that, he’s rushed for 120 yards and three TD as nicely.

I’m undecided what your expectations have been going into the season, however that’s far and past what I had in thoughts.

Save your Heisman Trophy discuss or predictions that Nix will likely be a first-round draft decide. I’m not arguing for both of these issues simply but. I merely need Oregon followers to take a second and reassess their ideas on the quarterback.

Ask your self a query actually shortly. If Ty Thompson had this group at 3-1 with the identical stats as Nix, and had simply led a comeback victory with over 400 yard and three TD, what would you be saying? Would you be saying he’s the following nice Oregon QB, or would you continue to be hesitant to present him his flowers?

We — and I’m together with myself as a reporter too — have been fairly robust on No. 10 when he got here to Eugene. He was given a brief leash, and at any signal of hassle, was requested to be benched in change for the unproven backup. Regardless of that stress to succeed, Nix has gone above and past what was requested of him, and because of this, the Geese are 3-1 with a boatload of momentum behind them.

I’m not saying he’s the following Marcus Mariota or Justin Herbert. However he rattling positive deserves extra credit score than he’s been getting up and so far.