Maybe this will give the duck a better understanding..

And give me a break on Florida right now

Gators are a unknown like the 2011 Ducks !

We shall see once the season starts and how the Ducks re-feather

 

Some of the Ducks have posted a bit talking about Oregons rushing defense. As a Duck I don't think most people realize how well Oregon plays the run. Alliotti's defenses have always been "stop the run first" defenses. Here's some stats and comments for you.

2010:
Oregon: Rush defense ranked #11 (yd/game)
LSU: Rush defense ranked #15
Oregon: Yards per carry: 3.5
LSU: Yards per carry: 3.7

2009:
Oregon: Rush defense ranked #42
LSU: Rush defense ranked #46
Oregon: yards per carry: 3.4
LSU:yards per carry: 3.5

2008:
Oregon: Rush defense ranked #23
LSU: Rush defense ranked #17
Oregon: Yards per carry: 3.1
LSU: Yards per carry: 3.4

2007:
Oregon: Rushing defense ranked #38
LSU: Rushing defense ranked #12
Oregon: Yards per carry: 3.6
LSU: Yards per carry: 3.2

Point is, and I've said it before, Oregon will force LSU to beat them in the air and not on the ground. For those that think they will grind out the clock on Oregon with a ground game, it ain't happening. You'll need to complete passes to sustain long drives.

So that's why you will see Oregon fans talking about JJ having a great passing game against the Ducks to win. It could happen, especially if the LSU O-line gives JJ enough time to pick apart the Oregon secondary. And that is the key to this game...

If you go to the Auburn game, you will notice that the big play in each of Auburn's scoring drives was a pass (30, 35, 39 and 40 yards).

On there longest sustained drive (mostly rushing) they didn't score. With second and goal at the Oregon 2 they ran the ball twice and threw once and still couldn't get in the end zone.

There I've said it, JJ needs to complete passes for LSU to win.

 

Jefferson will have to throw the ball to move it downfield, particularly in the first half. But a strong rushing game will eventually wear down even the best defenses. There's that ball control thing again.

 

He most certainly does. I think that is a no brainer, I think in order for LSU to beat the Ducks, they have to be a dual threat offense. In order for the Ducks to beat LSU, they have to be a dual threat offense as well.

I think that on both teams, the QB is going to determine the outcome of this game, although you guys have a top 3 RB in James.

If we are going to base Jefferson on last years performance, then I am going to base Jefferson on his very last performance and that was in Cowboy Stadium against Texas A&M where he passed for 160 yards, 3 touchdowns, ran for another 60 and 1 touchdown. - Im fine with that.

We also forced 4 turnovers and we had 2 seperate running backs rush for 100 yards each.

Against a Texas A&M team who beat Oklahoma & Nebraska holding those 2 teams to a combined 25 points. - All 3 of of those teams (Texas A&M, Oklahoma, & Nebraska, - ALL Pre-season top 10 teams)

I dont think that JJ will have a problem throwing for 150 - 175 yards. Which will be enough for a few 30 yard pass plays, I think that with the speed and running ability of some of our WR & RB's we could easily see short passes become big gains.

 

Tyrannasaurus will be a beast and will play havoc in the duck's backfield on the blitz.

 

Like I said, I give LSU props for that record!

 

I hate them but …..More Stats:

I will admit that the Oregon Defense did a MUCH better job than LSU did containing the Auburn Rushing attack.

LSU knows quite a bit about playing/beating teams with stingy run defenses, LSU faced 6 teams with top 30 rushing defenses last season, and put up more yards on the ground that that teams season average:

#2 West Virginia
#9 Auburn
#10 Alabama
#15 Mississippi St
#22 North Carolina
#30 Texas A&M

And we faced 4 teams with top 20 pass defenses as well:

#11 West Virginia
#12 Florida
#13 Alabama
#20 Arkansas

We also beat 3 teams that finished in the top 10 in total defense:
#3 West Virginia
#5 Alabama
#9 Florida


We finished #10 on Pass Defense

Oregon finished #56 in pass defense last year, I think JJ can pull it off

 

I agree that JJ passing will be the key. The turnover margin stat goes both ways. One reason Oregon had a very nice year last year was because they ranked #7 in turnover margin. (LSU was #22). I'm quite comfortable with DT throwing the ball for the Ducks. Question for the Ducks is at receiver, they have some good receivers, but the best talent is in the young guys with little or no game time exposure. Hopefully they'll be ready to go by game time.

Gotta head to the golf course. Back tomorrow.

 

Oregon also had a lot more time and film but even still, we held Auburn to 24 vs. the Ducks' 22. Only team to hold them to less was Miss St.

These were the points they scored against their opponents.

vs. Arkansas State 52
at Mississippi State 17
vs. Clemson 27(OT)
vs. South Carolina 35
vs. Louisiana-Monroe 52
at Kentucky 37
vs. Arkansas 65
vs. LSU 24
at Mississippi 51
vs. Chattanooga 62
vs. Georgia 49
at Alabama 28
vs. South Carolina (SEC Championship) 56

 

This is why I hate stats. The Ducks lost 3 down linemen (2 were 2nd team all-Pac10), LB, Casey Matthews (1st team all-Pac10, #1 team tackler with 79), LB Spencer Paysinger at 76 tackles) Kiko Alonzo who was billed to replace Matthews at middle LB, was suspended indefinitely. Promising LB Tyson Coleman who had a great spring was suspended for the 1st game at least. Then over a month ago consensus all-America, as punt returner specialist and supposed, best returning defensive player (leading team in interceptions at 6), Cliff Harris was suspended and bites the proverbial bullet, at least for the first game.

The more you read, the more you quickly realize this defensive team you speak of, that did so well against the barn and down through the last few years, literally, doesn't exist, except on film. I know you love offense, but the best I can tell, when it comes to D, you are telling the football world, we have Alliotti, therefore we are. Even JJ has to be looking forward to this one.