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Getting To Know The Enemy: 5Qs About The Oregon Ducks

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Getting To Know The Enemy: 5Qs About The Oregon Ducks


What up Spartans! It’s a short week for the football team so we will be accelerating our coverage for you. On Friday, the Green & White travels to Eugene, Oregon, to take on Big Ten newcomer, the Oregon Ducks. Obviously, this is the first time these two squads face off as conference foes, but there is history between the two programs. The Spartans and Ducks have met on the gridiron seven times previously, including three times in the past decade, most recently in an offense-starved Redbox Bowl on the last day of 2018 (Oregon won 7-6). To help us take a closer look at the current version of the Ducks, the man known simply as Badwater from Addicted To Quack joined me to answer a few questions. Let’s see what he had to say.

TOC: Welcome to the Big Ten. What were your initial thoughts when you heard the news that Oregon was moving to a new conference? How did you think the Ducks would adjust to life in the Big Ten? What were your expectations for them this year?

BW: I expected that Oregon would go to the B1G if given the opportunity. Sentiments aside, the Pac-12 was a failure as a conference – (former commissioners) Larry Scott was a failure, George Kliavkoff was a failure, and the B1G move was inevitable. Oregon athletics have been very much in the black for many years, unlike the other former Pac-12 additions to the B1G. See, it’s not just money from Phil Knight and Division Street at work – Athletic Director Rob Mullens runs a tight ship and he’s very good at what he does. Oregon does not need to come in with a full payout to 2030. What they needed, and got, was national brand exposure, and that’s what the move to the Big Ten offered.

The Ducks got what they wanted – exposure – and they will thrive in the B1G. The expectation is that they will make the playoff this year, and we’ll see what happens. No one is looking invulnerable this year, and I don’t think anyone is going to be surprised if Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Ohio State…or maybe even Oregon…wins it all this year.

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TOC: Oregon came into this season as one of the popular picks for the national championship. But the Ducks did not look like that team in their first two games, struggling against Idaho and then just getting by Boise State. What was the problem in those two games? What have they been doing better these past two games, big wins over Oregon State and UCLA?

BW: The answer to this question boils down to the offensive line. Our Addicted To Quack site editor, hythloday, has 15 years of film study that demonstrates how a successful offensive line is created, and unlike all other position players, an offensive line has to have its own development culture and, by and large, cannot be plugged in from the transfer portal. The success of the Oregon offensive line is 20+ years in the making. It continues to be a developmental project, in that the coaches actively develop OL players.

My personal take is that the OL has had some struggles with rotation and communication. Both OL and DL rotate players in and out, and where other teams may have a starting 5 that they primarily stick with, Oregon has a starting 8 or so that rotate in and out, on both lies. Injuries complicate this ideal, and some injuries have affected the Oregon lines, but more so with the offense than the defense. The struggles with the OL have been with position, performance, and communication. What we’re seeing now, as opposed to the season opener against Idaho, is better communication and coaching.

Boise State has Ashton Jeanty. No one can stop him. He’s my Heisman (so far) pick for a reason; Boise State doesn’t have an OL of NFL starters…no, he gets the yards that he gets on personal effort and talent. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an RB like Jeanty. You can’t stop him, and that’s the story of Oregon’s game against Boise State, and that will be the story of everyone who plays against Boise State this year.

Oregon’s OL is settling in, and I think that will continue against Michigan State. Idaho is a decent team. The Ducks beat them, that is all. The next two weeks will reveal all frauds, be they Oregon or anyone else.

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TOC: Bo Nix is off to the NFL. Dillon Gabriel is now the man for the Ducks in his sixth year of college football after 2 seasons at Oklahoma and 3 at Central Florida before that. What do you like about his game? What are his weaknesses? Do you think he will make it to and succeed in the NFL?

BW: I’ll say here what I’ve said before – I do not follow the NFL, and I only have a pedestrian knowledge of things/players in the NFL. I have no idea who can or will succeed in the NFL. That notwithstanding, my wife was married to a former NFL nose tackle, and I know that the Denver Broncos were very much interested in Nix all season last year, so I was not surprised that they picked him. It’s a good fit for him, and Elway is probably the best boss that a QB could be working for.

Gabriel is not quite as accurate as Nix, but I think that’s the product of mainly Gabriel being behind a line that was not as solid as Nix’s OL. Gabriel had been holding on to the ball too long, and he’s largely fixed that. But Dillon Gabriel is close to, but not as good as, Bo Nix. In reality, there are scores of football programs that wish they had the “problems” that Oregon has at the QB position.

TOC: Tell us about your defense. What is your base formation? What is the strongest level? Who is the one guy that opposing teams need to look out for?

BW: Oregon’s head coach is Dan Lanning, who was the defensive coordinator for Georgia’s championship team. What he brought with him is the Mint defense, and the ideology that it’s explosive passing that defeats an opponent, so you eliminate explosive passing…and many times it’s at expense of the (non-explosive) run. If your readers need/want further elaboration, then read hythloday’s extensive reviews or listen to his podcasts at ATQ.

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https://www.addictedtoquack.com/2024/5/8/24155018/duck-dive-big-ten-football-2024-preview-compilation

Defense has been, and will be, a strong point this season. I can’t pin one guy as the player you need to watch for, because a great defense has great players on all three levels. I will point to two players: Jordan Birch has been an edge terror and will continue to be. Anyone that watched Oregon’s last two games knows about the secondary and knows that passes have been primarily going against Nikko Reed because no one wants to pass against Jabbar Muhammed. Watch Oregon’s secondary closely and you’ll see that this will be true against the Spartans.

The defensive weakness is at linebacker, but you may not know it when we face Michigan State. Jonathan Smith knows it, however, so watch for how he tries to exploit this weakness. Smith is a very clever coach.

TOC: What is the number one thing Michigan State needs to do in order to come away with a victory in Eugene?

BW: Michigan State needs to have success offensively. It’s not enough to win the turnover battle against Oregon – they will still crush you. The Spartans need to have sustained drives that result in points.

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And mind you, Jonathan Smith knows this. He’s been very successful in Autzen, both as a player and a coach. Not all is lost for the Spartans, and even if you lose, Smith is going to make Michigan State better. Believe in that.

TOC: Bonus Question: Predict the final score.

BW: OMG I’m horrible at this. Anyone who has followed my picks on Off Tackle Empire knows that I do a decent job of picking the winner, but I’m awful at the spread. This is why I don’t gamble. Oregon 42, Michigan State 20.

TOC wishes to thank Badwater for his help with this piece. We hope you continue to be horrible at predicting scores.



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Who was the 2024 Transfer of the Year in Oregon high school football?

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Who was the 2024 Transfer of the Year in Oregon high school football?


Dozens of Oregon high school football players transferred from one school to another during the 2023-24 offseason. SBLive Oregon combed through those transfers and selected 16 of the best to highlight. Vote for your top choice in the poll at the bottom of the page.

Earlier: Is transfer culture ruining high school football? Oregon coaches weigh in

Aguilar dominated at the 4A level for Milwaukie last season, and that performance translated to the 6A Mt. Hood Conference, where Aguilar was voted to the all-conference second team.

Ayers moved north from Roseburg and led the resurgent Wolverines with 1,074 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 173 carries.

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The transfer from Springfield had a major impact on the Lancers’ Midwestern League title march, winning league defensive player of the year honors and earning second-team all-league honors as a backup tailback.

Buzzard was a two-time wrestling state champion and top linebacker for Harrisburg. He made an instant impact with the Spartans, leading them with 85 tackles and making the all-Oregon West Conference first team.

Brasfield moved across town from Corvallis and teamed with freshman quarterback Zeke Thomas as one of the most potent passing combos in the state, catching 90 passes for 1,335 yards and 19 touchdowns.

The ex-Crescent Valley standout helped lead the Titans to the 6A playoffs, earning first-team all-South Central Football Conference honors.

Craigwell came from Sunset and was a first-team all-Three Rivers League inside linebacker (34 tackles, three for loss) for the league champions.

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The University of Oregon commit was as good as advertised coming to the Willamette Valley from the Arizona desert, leading the team in tackles for loss.

Eddleman joined older brother Treyson in coming from Sherwood and shined during his first season with the Pacers, recording a team-best 62 tackles and two sacks and making the all-Three Rivers League first team.

Hoffert arrived from Central Catholic and was one of the top players on the Generals defense, making the all-PIL first team

Ingle returned to the Lions after spending his junior season at Wilsonville and fit right back in on defense, making the all-Three Rivers League first team with 40 tackles (five for loss) and a team-high three sacks. He rushed for six touchdowns.

Kurland arrived from Sunset and quickly took over the starting job, throwing for 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns with one interception and completing 67.6% of his passes (71 of 105). He led the Lakers to the No. 1 seed in the 6A Open playoffs and was voted to the all-Three Rivers League second team.

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Martin joined the program after starring at Gaston last year and has shined in all three phases (1,417 all-purpose yards, 17 touchdowns, 24 tackles, four interceptions).

Martirano was a 6A all-state selection at West Salem, and after winning Mid-Willamette Conference offensive player of the year honors (2,150 passing yards, 18 touchdowns; 417 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns), he’ll likely make the 5A all-state team this fall.

The late arrival from Riverside County in California quickly melded with his teammates, showing why he’s a rising prospect and finishing with 1,503 passing yards and 15 touchdowns.

Smith was already well-known as a standout receiver at Central Catholic, but with the Timberwolves, he became a two-way all-Three Rivers League first-team selection, catching 33 passes for 609 yards and seven touchdowns and making 22 tackles at safety.

To get live updates on your phone — as well as follow your favorite teams and top games — you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App

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High wind watch issued for Oregon for Friday

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High wind watch issued for Oregon for Friday


On Thursday at 3:35 a.m. a high wind watch was issued by the National Weather Service valid for Friday between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. for Clatsop County Coast, Tillamook County Coast and Central Coast of Oregon.

The weather service describes, “South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible for beaches and headlands.”

“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles,” explains the weather service.

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Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.



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Northwest Oregon Conference boys soccer 2024: All-league teams, coach and player of the year

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Northwest Oregon Conference boys soccer 2024: All-league teams, coach and player of the year


Northwest Oregon Conference boys soccer all-league selections and individual awards for the 2024 season, as determined by a vote of the league’s coaches 

Vance Sheffield, La Salle Prep

Jared Rojas, Canby

Al Lara, Hood River Valley

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F Vance Sheffield, La Salle Prep, senior

F Alex Aguiar, Wilsonville, senior

F Andro Mendez, Hood River Valley, senior

M Quentin Torbert, La Salle Prep, senior

M Sergio Day, Wilsonville, senior

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M Julian Lara, Hood River Valley, senior

M Ruben Velazquez, Wilsonville, senior

M Javier Martinez, Centennial, senior

D Connor Garvey, La Salle Prep, senior

D Andrew McDougal, Wilsonville, senior

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D Oscar Moline, Hood River Valley, senior

D Fabian Gonzales, Centennial, senior

GK Jared Rojas, Canby, senior

GK Adam Clem, La Salle Prep, senior

F Aran Garcia, Hood River Valley, senior

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F Francisco Sanchez, Canby, junior

F Alex Fulgencio, Centennial, sophomore

M River Nichols, La Salle Prep, junior

M Cooper Eldon, La Salle Prep, junior

M Matt Tamimi, Canby, senior

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M Christopher Marcial-Cruz, Parkrose, senior

M Daniel Aseive, Milwaukie, senior

D Declan O’Brien, La Salle Prep, junior

D Devyn Kinzie, Canby, junior

D Braxton Nava, Canby, freshman

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D Eric Gudino, Milwaukie, freshman

GK Emmanuel Galindo, Hood River Valley, junior

F Hugo Cortes Cruz, La Salle Prep, sophomore

F Geovanni Macias, Hood River Valley, junior

F Jordan Lopez, Canby, junior

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F Kevin Jimenez, Hillsboro, senior

F Noah Martin, Putnam, senior

F Jonathan Alcantar, Milwaukie, senior

M Solomon Parson, Hood River Valley, junior

M Derek Garcia, Wilsonville, senior

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M Anthony Ledesma, Canby, junior

M Natnaiel Kindie, Parkrose, junior

M Cohen Biddle, Hillsboro, sophomore

M Caleb Hillard, Putnam, senior

M Abraham Andrade Ayala, Milwaukie, senior

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M Jeffrey Boknecht, La Salle Prep, senior

D Rylan De Souza, La Salle Prep, senior

D John Olson, Hood River Valley, senior

D Javier Juarez-Pedraza, Wilsonville, senior

D Sebastion Zayago-Enciso, Wilsonville, senior

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D Matt Young, Canby, senior

D Edgar Garcia, Centennial, senior

D Maximino Flores Ramirez, Parkrose, senior

D Eddie Larson, Hillsboro, junior

D Jimmy Thielman, Putnam, senior

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D Erowyn Stovall, Milwaukie, senior

D Uriel Chacon-Alvarado, Parkrose, senior

GK Eamon Anslinger, Hood River Valley, senior

To get live updates on your phone — as well as follow your favorite teams and top games — you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App



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