Morning Quack Fix: defense, conference rankings and Jamil Wilson

by ntrebon on Oct 13, 2009 7:01 AM PDT in Morning Quack Fix

Oregon has made it to the halfway point of the season at 5-1 and sits alone atop the conference standings. Here's your bye week fix.

Nick Daschel thinks the Oregon defense is the biggest (pleasant) surprise of the season thusfar. Rounding out his top three are UW's turnaround and the league's non-conference performance.
Bob Clark has his conference rankings up, and wonders if Chip Kelly is the best bet for the Pac-10's coach of the year. At the midway point, I'd say Steve Sarkisian and the (early) turnaround at UW is probably his biggest challenger. Ted Miller also has his own conference rankings posted. The biggest difference between the two lists? Clark has Cal 3rd while Miller has them at 9th.
Jason Vondersmith has an article up about Nate Costa's performance this past weekend. Nate avoided any talk about a QB controversey -- which is a good thing because I don't think there is much of one if Jeremiah Masoli is healthy.
In basketball news, Bob Clark has a feature piece on freshman Jamil Wilson, who was the top recruit signed by Ernie Kent last year. And, it sounds like he was impressive in early workouts, with Ernie Kent calling him, "probably the best athlete we’ve had here since Fred Jones." Though, Kent appears to have learned from past mistakes and repeatedly tried to dampen unreal expectations by reminding us that he is only a freshman.
This was posted yesterday, but it in case you missed it, Kenjon Barner was named the Pac-10 special teams player of the week for his game-changing kickoff return to start the second half. As a side note, I keep reading about about how it's the second-longest in UO history because the NCAA no longer recognizes yards accrued in the endzone. I know it is probably not possible to update all the records this accounting change affected, but it seems silly to me to have a record that not only is impossible to break, but impossible to tie when, by many accounts, Barner should have at least tied the mark. I mean, in the current era of baseball, no one is going to break Cy Young's 511 wins, but it is not because MLB decided to stop counting victories after 400.
The Register-Guard has a story on the injury to South Eugene's Gabe King. Even if surgery is scheduled for this week, it sounds like they are optimistic that King could still play again this season.
Ted Miller claims this will be a weekend of desperation and separation in the Pac-10. I think Miller's classification is right on and I am definitely interested in how the Stanford-Arizona and UCLA-Cal games play out. I wish there was some sort of forum where we could all put our predictions on record...
In other conference news, Miller also posts a brief injury report for each team. Because of the bye week schedule with practices only on Wednesday and Friday, I assume we won't have any further updates on Jeremiah Masoli and T.J. Ward until then.

Go Ducks!

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Anybody else see

Oregon winning twice as many basketball games this year. I’ll be very disappointed if they don’t. I don’t think 16 wins is too much to ask for, considering the roll players on the team have had a year to gel, the freshman got stronger, etc. Are my expectations over the top? I mean I see 8 wins that should be guaranteed not in Pac-10 play. 10 if St. Mary’s and Oakland don’t show up. That means the Ducks would have to win about half of their Pac-10 games to reach the 16 win mark. Depending on how well they start, confidence instilled they could probably exceed that mark by a bit. All I’m saying is I’m excited.

"I used to play sports. Then I realized you can buy trophies. Now I'm good at everything." - Demetri Martin

by haveasoda on Oct 13, 2009 7:23 AM PDT reply actions

Honestly

we’d better win more than that. With our non-conference schedule, anything less than 10-2 during that period would be really bad, as the game at Missouri is the only one we won’t be favored in by a large margin.

And the Pac-10 should be very down this year. 8-8 is very attainable. I see anything less than 18 wins as a huge disappointment

--Dave
Addicted to Quack, SBN's Oregon Ducks blog

by David Piper on Oct 13, 2009 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Which given our weak SOS

Will probably get us nowhere near the NCAAs but the NIT is certainly achievable.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 13, 2009 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions

So Dave, you said you had a big announcement for the ATQ crew

To give out today, what is it?

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 13, 2009 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions

That was BlazersEdge Dave

you’ll have to ask him

--Dave
Addicted to Quack, SBN's Oregon Ducks blog

by David Piper on Oct 13, 2009 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Ducks should be improved in hoops. With a year’s experience, there will be a lot of young guys stepping up. Hopefully that doesn’t stop the Beavs from recording the sweep! 16 wins could be a little high as far as what to expect, however I wouldn’t be surprised. I think the Cougs backslide BIG TIME, even with Thompson, and I also don’t think that SC or the Bay Area teams will be nearly as strong as people are giving them credit for. Look for a huge ASU drop-off as well.

St. Mary’s should be down, rebuilding since Mills, the franchise, has departed. Then again, maybe they’ve found another PG to run their offense at a similar level.

by ArbyOSU on Oct 13, 2009 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions

I just hope we can beat Oakland (MI) this year

Losing to them two years in a row=not good.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 13, 2009 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions

exactly

St. Mary’s was two years in a row too, if I am correct, given, Mills is gone, but they’re still a decent team

"I used to play sports. Then I realized you can buy trophies. Now I'm good at everything." - Demetri Martin

by haveasoda on Oct 13, 2009 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions

They'll compete with the Zags for the WCC crown

The Zags themselves will be down this year, losing a few players to the NBA.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 13, 2009 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions

With as crappy a non-conference schedule as we have

And a down year in the Pac-10, this should be a much improved team, at least in record.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 13, 2009 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Kelly may be a COY candidate nationally

As good a coach as MB is/was, he never had to face a situation as bad as Kelly did and I’m not sure, especially at a similar point in his career, whether he could have done as well as we have.

This team and this coach makes me proud to be a Ducks fan, something I would have been shocked to say a month ago.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 13, 2009 9:38 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd for being able to change your mind and say so.

by DONALDUCK on Oct 13, 2009 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I could see him being a candidate but I don’t see him winning it. Sark with UW has completely changed the culture in Seattle and they will probably win at least 1-2 more games this year, possibly getting them to a bowl. That’s a huge turnaround and he would deserve it.

--Dominic, Addicted to Quack

Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.

by dvieira on Oct 13, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions

There are definitely ways Chip could win the award of Sark

I’m not stating them, but we all know outcomes that would reward Chip with this award as a first year coach in the Pac-10. Sark has a strong argument in that his program didn’t win a game last year, whereas Kelly was just expected to keep the team on track. I think Kelly has dealt with more criticism this year though, and overcoming said criticism could reward him with COY. Time will tell

"I used to play sports. Then I realized you can buy trophies. Now I'm good at everything." - Demetri Martin

by haveasoda on Oct 13, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions

WTF? *win the award OVER Sark

"I used to play sports. Then I realized you can buy trophies. Now I'm good at everything." - Demetri Martin

by haveasoda on Oct 13, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Chip Kelly might be too controversial for some to win it. If he didn’t lay a game plan for Blount, I think he would be a likely candidate.

I think of all the coaches that would win it this year, it’s probably Sark.

It's spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-H-I-M-S-E-L-F"

by JShufelt on Oct 13, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions

its going to be sark

I mean they didnt win a single game last year, and now they are 3-3 with a chance to go to a bowl. Say it out loud then tell me its not sark

Much of the credit goes to a defense that hasn’t allowed a substantial touchdown drive in nearly a month

by trumpetduck on Oct 13, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Well that’s it then. There is no more Coach of the Year. It is forever to be known as: The Award of Sark.

By the grace of Juju, we all are day-to-day.

by JConant on Oct 13, 2009 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

ok so maybe im being a bit black and white about it

but im my opinion, he is going to win it. I mean I am impressed with what he has done up there, never thought they would be close to this good, or mediocre

Much of the credit goes to a defense that hasn’t allowed a substantial touchdown drive in nearly a month

by trumpetduck on Oct 13, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions

I realize now, my comment sounded like I was disagreeing with you. Not at all the case. I thought the “award of sark” typo was funny. I agree, it’s Sark’s award to lose. Chip’s award if Sark loses it and the Ducks don’t implode. Mike Riley’s Award if the Beavs make a serious second-half run. Harbaugh’s award if Stanford can regroup and run the table against the likes of USC and Oregon. Stoop’s award if hell freezes over and monkeys fly out of Madonna’s butt.

Sorry, Trumpet. Didn’t mean to come off as SARKastic.

By the grace of Juju, we all are day-to-day.

by JConant on Oct 13, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Stoop’s award if hell freezes over and monkeys fly out of Madonna’s butt.

Would you accept Madonna’s butt freezing over and monkeys fly out of hell?

It's spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-H-I-M-S-E-L-F"

by JShufelt on Oct 13, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions

There’s no room for flexibility here. If Madonna’s butt freezes over and monkeys fly out of hell, Neuheisel wins.

By the grace of Juju, we all are day-to-day.

by JConant on Oct 13, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions

What about an ice sculpture of Madonna’s butt, and a flying monkey. Don’t pretend like you wouldn’t enjoy those gifts. You – I – He… We ALL would.

It's spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-H-I-M-S-E-L-F"

by JShufelt on Oct 13, 2009 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I think you just found the new prize for the Jersey Contest. Excuse me, the Madonna’s Ice Butt Flying Monkey Contest.

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Oct 13, 2009 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions

what happened to the hell part of the equation? or are you saying that those gifts would just be hella cool?

by ntrebon on Oct 13, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I figured that bringing home an ice sculpture of Madonna’s butt and a poo flinging flying monkey (Sooo cool) would enrage our respective significant others enough we would rather suffer the fate of hell.

It's spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-H-I-M-S-E-L-F"

by JShufelt on Oct 13, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Wait. When did poo flinging enter the picture? I’m against that.

By the grace of Juju, we all are day-to-day.

by JConant on Oct 13, 2009 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions

We can make poo flinging into a drinking game.

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Oct 13, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Where there are monkeys, poo will be flung.

It's spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-H-I-M-S-E-L-F"

by JShufelt on Oct 13, 2009 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Ya, what, did everyone think monkeys were just all fun and games?

Monkeys will be monkeys, aftterall, and you take the “right turn Clyde” style hijinx with the poo flinging.

by Bill Musgrave on Oct 13, 2009 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions

In other news, Rivals is reporting that Oregon got a verbal from 2011 commit Tyson Coleman, a RB from Lake Oswego. Scout has him as a 4*.

by ntrebon on Oct 13, 2009 12:27 PM PDT reply actions

Awesome!

always good to pick up the in-state kids when they have the talent. There are gonna be a few more big players from Oregon in 2011, so it’s good to get one of the top ones early. Next up, Colt Lyerla!

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Oct 13, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Nooooo!

I hate 4 star RBs! PANIC!

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Oct 13, 2009 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions

We seriously need an ATQ panic room. It would make things so much easier.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Oct 13, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Movie night?

Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Six-hundred and ninety-four yards of total offense.

by qrsouther on Oct 13, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Not with you, sick boy.

By the grace of Juju, we all are day-to-day.

by JConant on Oct 13, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Jeremy don’t reply to him! You’re gonna get sick!

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Oct 13, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions

But I’m wearing a mask and rubber gloves.

By the grace of Juju, we all are day-to-day.

by JConant on Oct 13, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions

You’re a superhero?!?!

It's spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-H-I-M-S-E-L-F"

by JShufelt on Oct 13, 2009 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Six-hundred and ninety-four yards of total offense.

by qrsouther on Oct 13, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs

well this picture will go to good use for the next, forever.

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Oct 13, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions

I’m pretty sure that’s rec quality right there.

It's spelled "S-H-U-F-E-L-T-H-I-M-S-E-L-F"

by JShufelt on Oct 13, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh great! Just what we need!

Another god damn talented player! Who the hell do we think we are? USC?

A much needed bye week; and two whole weeks to focus the inner hatred of UW even moreso than normal.

Locker...Welcome to my profile, You will be formally introduced by Juju at a later date, 10/23 to be more specific!

by CaDuck on Oct 13, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Random Guiltiness

I know as an Oregon fan, I am supposed to want BSU to win out to help our cause, but I can’t do it. I want Tulsa, La Tech and Idaho to beat them. It would make me so happy.
Forgive me….

Happiest days of my life
1.Birth of my kids
2. Nov 28, 2008 @ Reser Stadium

by duckalope on Oct 13, 2009 2:22 PM PDT reply actions

BSU winning won’t help us win the Pac-10. Fuck the Broncos!

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Oct 13, 2009 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I want them to lose as well. They don’t deserve to go to a BCS game merely because they beat us, even if we win the Pac-10. I really hope that TCU wins out and beats them out for a BCS bowl. I am gaining respect for the MWC, but have none whatsoever for the WAC.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Oct 13, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Boise St. + the MWC = a BCS conference.

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Oct 13, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Totally agreed. No matter how many times BSU beats us, I still can’t take them seriously until they play a real schedule

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Oct 13, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Yup

They want to know what it would take to win a national title. Play Oregon’s schedule, heck play Oregon State’s schedule. I doubt they’d go undefeated with our schedule.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 13, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Hell, they could win a national title if they played a Big East schedule. But the WAC is just absolutely terrible.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Oct 13, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions

The WAC is, and always will be pathetic!

A much needed bye week; and two whole weeks to focus the inner hatred of UW even moreso than normal.

Locker...Welcome to my profile, You will be formally introduced by Juju at a later date, 10/23 to be more specific!

by CaDuck on Oct 13, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions

We'll pass them if we both win out

At least in the computers since our SOS is MUCH higher. Even as of now we have the 17th hardest schedule to this point of any team while Boise State is already down to 62nd most difficult. Ours will go up, theirs will not.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 13, 2009 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions