Our Next 2 Games May Determine Our Season

[SuperDuck]

I know that's a big statement, but the truth is that Penn State and Indiana may be the two best teams we play all year, unless we happen to face Ohio State in the Big-10 championship.

If we win both, we're obviously in great shape. If we lose one, we'll still be in decent shape, assuming we avoid an upset the rest of the way.

Lose both, and we'll have zero margin for error.

Honestly, I like our chances vs Penn State and wasn't worried about Indiana at all, but boy howdy, that game's got me a bit nervous now. That said, I do think that Illinois was overrated. Top-25 team, yeah. Top-10, not even close. Still, getting pounded 63-10 is a humbling loss for any team.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised to see Indiana move into the Top-10.

We need to play our best and stay focused in order to get through these next three weeks. Thank goodness we have a bye week before Indiana comes to town. I'm hoping we'll be 5-0 when that happens.

Thoughts?

[StevensTechU]

How badly do Indiana fans wish they could play Notre Dame right now.

[SuperDuck]

How badly do Indiana fans wish they could play Notre Dame right now.

Truth!

[Greenblood]

Just a reminder that Indiana will also have a bye just before meeting the Ducks. So no "advantage" in that regard.

[SuperDuck]

Just a reminder that Indiana will also have a bye just before meeting the Ducks. So no "advantage" in that regard.

I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing.

[Duck07]

I feel good about our chances in both games but even more about Indiana in Autzen since their Offensive strengths play to our Defensive strengths and our fans will want to show out after the last game being the PSU White Out. I tend to think that game will be similar to the Illinois game last year but Mendoza is the better QB between him and Altmeyer.

[OregonFan4Life]

I feel good about our chances in both games but even more about Indiana in Autzen since their Offensive strengths play to our Defensive strengths and our fans will want to show out after the last game being the PSU White Out. I tend to think that game will be similar to the Illinois game last year but Mendoza is the better QB between him and Altmeyer.

How does their offensive strength play to Oregon’s defensive strengths? I thought they had a really good OLine with a dynamic pass and run game.

[Duck07]

I feel good about our chances in both games but even more about Indiana in Autzen since their Offensive strengths play to our Defensive strengths and our fans will want to show out after the last game being the PSU White Out. I tend to think that game will be similar to the Illinois game last year but Mendoza is the better QB between him and Altmeyer.

How does their offensive strength play to Oregon’s defensive strengths? I thought they had a really good OLine with a dynamic pass and run game.

So for me, a team that plays heavy personnel and can hit play-action with a mobile QB is our toughest matchup. Teams that want to spread the field and throw the ball more are going to play into our scheme more often than not.

We beat PSU and we'll know we have a great team and will use the Bye to go 1-0. We lose at PSU and we'll have a pissed off team playing in Autzen trying to get back on track so I think either outcome means that Indiana is not going to be slept-on by the Ducks.

[AutzenMember]

IMO, we will be ready for IU regardless of the outcome this week. I have confidence in Autzen and how the team responds on the home turf.

[buckmarkduck]

How badly do Indiana fans wish they could play Notre Dame right now.

Honestly, I’ve looked at their forums, and I’m not sure they have many fans who even care about football. Doubt they care about ND or UO. They seem like UCLA fans, just happy to be here, but waiting for basketball

[Indiana Jones]

How badly do Indiana fans wish they could play Notre Dame right now.

IU fan here in Notre Dame territory. I would give my left nut to play the Irish right now.

[Indiana Jones]

How badly do Indiana fans wish they could play Notre Dame right now.

Honestly, I’ve looked at their forums, and I’m not sure they have many fans who even care about football. Doubt they care about ND or UO. They seem like UCLA fans, just happy to be here, but waiting for basketball

Diehard IU fan here. I have been following IU football since when Lee Corso was pacing the sideline in Bloomington. The pigskin fandom is alive and well not sure what forums you are viewing. I will add that the basketball season is eagerly awaited this year more so than usual due to the hiring DeVries.

[StevensTechU]

How badly do Indiana fans wish they could play Notre Dame right now.

IU fan here in Notre Dame territory. I would give my left nut to play the Irish right now.

One of my coworkers is an IU grad who lives in South Bend. He is happy that IU is having a good run but also didn't know they'd be favored against ND if they played today and is mostly consumed by basketball. Just one guy but I could imagine there's a good amount of those.

Still, I'm sure the athletic department is loving the extra dollars rolling in from getting 50k+ to each home game right now.

[OregonFan4Life]

Sorry to the Indiana fan on this forum, you seem cool..

BUT, I watched extended highlights of the Indiana at Iowa game and Iowa lost it more than Indiana won it. Maybe my eyes are fooling me but I can clearly see a talent difference between that game and Oregon at Penn State. Mendoza is really good, not deadly accurate like Moore, but he’s mature and knows the offense and trusts his receivers. This will be a test for Oregon but unless the team plays flat and doesn’t come out motivated I don’t see how Oregon can utilize the superior talent to make sure this isn’t a game by halfway through the 4th quarter.

I heard a couple people (including Hythloday) say Indiana is better than Penn State, and I’m sure their offensive scheme is better, but I don’t see a team better than Penn State. I don’t mean to sound like a cocky fan as I’m the negative one usually, but as of right now, I just see a talent difference between Indiana and Oregon.

[SuperDuck]

I heard a couple people (including Hythloday) say Indiana is better than Penn State, and I’m sure their offensive scheme is better, but I don’t see a team better than Penn State. I don’t mean to sound like a cocky fan as I’m the negative one usually, but as of right now, I just see a talent difference between Indiana and Oregon.

Honestly, I think the jury is still out on Penn State (and Oregon) at this point.

We went into a White Out environment and beat them in front of 111,000 raving fans, so that absolutely DOES mean something. They obviously played hard and so did we.

That said, neither of us have anything else significant on our resume's. We've both beaten very weak teams before playing each other.

If we beat Indiana I'll be much more confident in where the Ducks stand, but it's going to take a bit more time to determine exactly how good Penn State is. The play UCLA, Northwestern and Iowa before playing Ohio State Nov 1st and Indiana Nov 8th. It may be that long before we finally have a good gauge of where they're really at. They should rout UCLA and UN, but I can see Iowa playing them tough.

We'll find out soon enough, but as I said, the jury is still out.