They get the talent but right now they don't have the coaching. Sarkisian is far from being an elite level coach and I don't see them being a major factor in the conference until they get an elite coaching staff.
I agree with you and I would bet on that, having watched tons of Oregon games. There's a certain IT factor that Mariota just doesn't have that QBs like Cam Newton and Jameis Winston have. He's a great guy but he has a tendency to crumble under pressure. It happened against Stanford two years in an row and in this last game. I've seen it before, and it rubs off on the entire team. They played horrible. Just about every single one of them. None of them played up to their ability and it was really embarrassing for us. I also really hate how the program caved in to Nike and accepted their choice of uniforms for the most important game of the season. Black, white and gray? Really, are we the Raiders? Even the players didn't like them and would have preferred the school colors worn in the Rose Bowl. Part of me wonders if they might have played better based on the choice of uniform alone.I'm basing it on the fact that, in the championship game, he ran for more than 12 yds below his average, his completion % was four points lower than his average, he went 3 for 10 passing on third down (the Ducks were 2 for 12 on 3rd down overall -- 0 for 4 in the second half -- and 0-2 on 4th down, including once on 4th and goal from the one), and was stuffed at the 1 yard line on 3rd and goal. He was 7/15 in the second half with 1 TD and 1 INT. IMO, for a QB that normally puts up video game-like stats - the Heisman Trophy winner, that's struggling. And considering it was the national championship game, I'd say it was mightily. Just my opinion, though. I just think he's more a product of that system and believe it will show through at the next level. Of course, I wouldn't bet anything on that.
If a uniform choice has the ability to affect your players' mindsets going into a game, then you've already lost the game.
I agree. They have a system and will plug some new guys in and keep on rush, rush, rushing. As long as they can cheat the system and get away with it, they will continue to win. If they had to play big, physical teams every week, they would get beaten down. However, they play in the PAC, so they will plug and play on.
Considering the HUNH is only a few years old, I'd say 'long term' is an impossible measure, but Cam Newton has done pretty well.
Let's be honest, though - Cam did well in the HUNH at the Barn but he would have been good in a Pro-Set as well.
Well, Nike and Phil Knight are the reason Oregon is as popular as it is now. When someone helps as much as he does, you have to allow somethings.
One reason I think spread QBs have yet to transition to the pro game because of the offensive line. Think back to when we played Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. We were able to get pressure because of the wide splits the OL used. Not only does the spread make the DBs and LBs spread out, most spread offensives have wider splits on the line, leading to the DL spread further apart. Teams aren't doing that in the NFL yet. Therefore, the pocket isn't as big as in the college game.
Excellent point. He's a freak athlete.
