Control the LOS, control the tempo. Rhythm to the duckettes is everything. Nothing easy, nothing quick. When they drive, make them go the long, hard, and most of all, slow way. No matter how well the D plays, turnovers will get you beat against the big boys. Again, nothing easy. In all big games with things being equal, there are always a hand full of plays, think Alabama, that must be executed. If LSU plays to these strengths they will be the masters of their domain.
This is a interesting thread, I think you all are making good points, hope you don't mind me adding my 2 cents. I think we agree that the lines are the biggest factors, if we can't stop your run were toast, if our runners are picking up 1st downs you're in trouble. As TigerCliff said, a huge key is, can the Tigers get the Ducks off the field with 3 and outs. First downs are critical, seems strange, but completing first downs will help Oregon's cause nearly as much as scoring. The Duck's hyper tempo is vital to our attack, it helps in a myriad of ways. If we can control drives where we get 4, 5, 6, first downs, I think you're doomed. Becoming tired the defense will find that it's difficult to be prepared before the next play starts, hurrying, the line will be prone to jumping offside. Barely ready, your D won't notice the subtle difference in what seems like the same play, run 4 times in a row, TD Ducks. I know you guys have extra good DEs, but the Ducks will rip off big plays if our offense is allowed to sweep to the sidelines. Oregon gets a lot of TD's on these plays, downfield blocking by the receivers is a forte of Chip's. You're going to have to keep DT and LMJ contained inside. LSUDad said "headhunters with speed", yep that could kill the Ducks A big mobile quarterback who can throw on the run, seems to give Oregon the most trouble. Rwilliams wrote, "On offense, pound the floppin rock. Ware, ford and blue taking turns hammering that arse. Make the ducks pay for tackling these beast. Smash the shizt out of them straight up the gut. Make every play a floppin trainwreck. Pain, suffering and misery up front for the ducks." I would think this is the Tiger's key to the game. Oregon is physical, I suspect, more physical than you think. The line is a definite advantage for LSU though, the Duck's must be able to stop the Tigers on 3rd down. Last year's Ducks were different than most think. Except for New Mexico, Portland St., and UCLA, Oregon got off to poor starts in their games last year. A half dozen times, it was a bad dream start for the Ducks. Often we fell behind. Oregon would regain it's composure, shore up some things, then blow out the other team. Stanford for example was ahead of us 3-21, then we clobbered them, 52-31. Same sort of scenario against USC, Arizona, ASU, Washington, WSU, and Tennessee. A few other things. Ducks are young, with experiance. Only 13 seniors, 43 freshmen/redshirt freshmen. Assuming that LMJ goes to the NFL and DT doesn't, the Ducks will be much better next year. Watch out for trick plays on punts and especially 2 point conversions, (the student section has christened Kelly as "big balls Chip", and chant this way to often). Ducks play for touchdowns not field goals, and are very aggressive. Kelly will go for it on 4th down and short inside the 50 almost everytime. Darren Thomas, this year changed his number from #1 to his high school #5 Go Ducks
Before your imagination runs too wild, once again I must ask . . . In what universe does LSU get tired from a fast pace and Oregon does not? :huh: Conversely if speedy LSU linebackers and backs take away the sweep, Oregon is handicapped. I'll tell you a secret, the key is to stop LSU on first down. At least it was with Crowton, Kragwarwa may be different. If Oregon falls behind, you are going to see a three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-turf, power-run and ball-control passing drives taking up 8 minutes. As is LSU, only 16 seniors and 11 juniors. Watch for touchdowns that start off as field goal attempts. Les has gone for as many as five 4th downs in a game, including TD runs inside the one.
I'm sure it's already been stated but I say we need to win the TOP battle, which I believe we will. We need to have long, time consuming scoring drives. Hopefully we can get the rushing game going on early, ease up the pressure on the passing game and be successful there as well. Cause a turnover, or two... bada bing bada bam
It's not just fatigue, the pace also causes the defense to be unprepared. Leading to mistakes, which the Ducks look for, and take advantage of. Plus we know what we're up to, and the D doesn't. Fatigue just helps us, it causes more mistakes, offsides, 12 men on the field, being out of position, etc. The Duck's tempo during practice is much, much faster than the game pace. Oregon players say the actual games seem slow, easier than practices. Chip Kelly's men are used to it, it's our tempo. We want you to play at this speed.
Yes sir I agree that long scoring drives are important. To add to that , these long scoring drives must end with touchdowns and not field goals. We don't have a senior kicker this year that will break records with four or five field goals a game. We will not beat the ducks with field goals.
I see, well LSU just lines up and runs power football at you and not terribly slowly. Our defense has seen it all in the SEC, they are far from unconditioned, and they have had a half year to prepare for Oregon's pace.
We have been preparing your "up tempo" for a month now and will continue to up until 9-3-11, there is no doubt we will be prepared.
And here we are, understanding each other's position, but still waiting for the damn game. ...... :wink: Side-note: Red, what did you mean yesterday when you said Brette pays for this website?
