Some thoughts from an opponent fan....

[OregonFan4Life]

First, Sewell is arguably the most talented LB in Oregon history.

Second DT didn’t lose us that Natty, Chip did by trying to prove everyone that he was the smartest and going against all analysis and running it straight into Auburn’s strength. Whenever Chip passed DT was very successful, but Chip was persistent on running it and Fairley loved it.

Exactly! I remember him just play after play after play running right into the teeth of Auburn's defense, and that was a damn good defense, and I wanted to throw stuff at the TV.

Obviously Chip is the most successful coach in Oregon history, but his stubbornness was his biggest downfall. You could argue we might have 3 natties if he wasn’t so stubborn, his stubbornness was on display against Auburn in 2011, USC in 2011, and Stanford in 2012. It was his ultimate downfall in the NFL too as he was far too controlling with personnel. I don’t think that’s something we’ll have with Lanning, but Lanning may not also bring us the same success. We all love Chip but sometimes forget he cost us some big games.

[duck023]

First, Sewell is arguably the most talented LB in Oregon history.

Second DT didn’t lose us that Natty, Chip did by trying to prove everyone that he was the smartest and going against all analysis and running it straight into Auburn’s strength. Whenever Chip passed DT was very successful, but Chip was persistent on running it and Fairley loved it.

Oregon was a running team and their best weapon was running Lamichael James up the middle. It did work against every other team including a 1 loss Stanford team that was also big up front. All of Darron Thomas' throws come from play action passing. Auburn was smart by keying in on Lamichael James but other teams have keyed in on Lamichael and still gave up 200 yards to him. Oregon didn't have a choice in that game because you can't just sideline your best player because Nick Fairly is destroying your line. I felt like they kept Auburn guessing enough that Darron Thomas was able to throw for 300 yards and have his best game but he isn't a run and shoot qb that can throw 50 times a game.

ESPN didn't know Oregon very well thought that year and thought they were a finesse team that threw the ball a lot. However, us Oregon fans should know that Lamichael James liked running the ball up the middle and even him getting tackled by Nick Fairly for a 5-yard loss is better than giving up on him. Lamichael James was extremely fast, but he wasn't exactly Marshall Faulk when it came to catching the ball and he wasn't Maurice Morris when it came to outside pitches. If Lamichael (THE BEST PLAYER BY FAR) didn't run up the middle a few times he likely wouldn't have touched the ball at all in that game.

[duck023]

First, Sewell is arguably the most talented LB in Oregon history.

Second DT didn’t lose us that Natty, Chip did by trying to prove everyone that he was the smartest and going against all analysis and running it straight into Auburn’s strength. Whenever Chip passed DT was very successful, but Chip was persistent on running it and Fairley loved it.

Exactly! I remember him just play after play after play running right into the teeth of Auburn's defense, and that was a damn good defense, and I wanted to throw stuff at the TV.

Obviously Chip is the most successful coach in Oregon history, but his stubbornness was his biggest downfall. You could argue we might have 3 natties if he wasn’t so stubborn, his stubbornness was on display against Auburn in 2011, USC in 2011, and Stanford in 2012. It was his ultimate downfall in the NFL too as he was far too controlling with personnel. I don’t think that’s something we’ll have with Lanning, but Lanning may not also bring us the same success. We all love Chip but sometimes forget he cost us some big games.

I had more of an issue with Chip during that 2012 Stanford game which was the only loss of the season. I'm also a Rams fan and the Rams always get made fun of for not giving the ball to Marshall Faulk during the 2002 Super Bowl. If Oregon didn't give the ball to their Heisman candidate Chip would have taken even more heat.

[duck023]

Sorry for sort of getting off topic. I have a lot of respect for Georgia and their fans. I was rooting for them against Alabama.