Ducks and Trojans - This Should Be Fun!

Hello sports fans!

Today I was reflecting on this upcoming matchup between the high powered offense of the Oregon Ducks versus the supposed high powered offense of the USC Trojans. Has anyone actually looked at the comparisons?

Total Offense National Ranks:

Rank Team Total Yards Yds Per Gm Pass Yds Pass Per Gm Rush Yds Rush Per Gm Total Pts Pts Per Gm

2

Oregon

3984

569.1

1843

263.3

2159

308.4

386

55.1

14

USC

3458

494.0

2019

288.4

1491

213.0

262

37.4

So those are the actual statistics of how they stack up. Oregon #2 in the country versus USC #14. Hmm and which defense has only given up a total of 23 points in the 2nd half all season? Of yah, that would be the Ducks as well.

As a coach who is constantly looking at stats and analyzing them, these certainly are huge numbers on paper in favor of another fright night for the Trojans, or if you prefer, another Trojan masacre by the Ducks. But, that is why they play the games.

I still think that the Ducks will prevail but here are a couple of things that I think must happen for the Ducks to win and win convincingly on Saturday in the Coliseum.

1) The Ducks must win the turnover battle. If the Ducks don't turn it over and can get 1 or more turnovers from the Trojans, which I believe they will, then our Quackers will blow out these Trojans. The Duck steamroller of an offense can't be stopped if they don't stop themselves.

2) The old mantra by the Trojans was "There is NO hole in our defense" - This year it is not so true! The "mighty" Trojans rank 60th in FBS this season while the Ducks rank 12th in points against defense. To say that the #1 offense in the country will have problems with the #60 defense is absolutely absurd. It just won't happen if the Ducks maintain ball possession.

3) Defense, just do what you do! If the defense does what it has done all year and that's tease opposing offenses that they are getting somewhere just to slam the door in their face once they near the goal line, especially in the 2nd half, then again, all points towards a big Duck victory. The defense is not getting much praise because of how amazing this offense is, but this defense is ranked 12th in points and has helped the Ducks to be top 5 in the nation in turnover margin. Again, Duck D, do what you do and you will allow your offense to win this game.

Well Duck fans, I know where I will be on Saturday evening, how about you? Should be a fun ride no matter what as our Ducks play another tough Pac-10 team on their way to the National Championship Game!

Go DUCKS!

What is it about the fall?

Hello sports fans, wherever you may be. Love that old line from the Schonz! Every October I start getting that itch and I'm sure glad that I have the ointment to make it go away...lol ;0)

It's late october again and the weather has turned to remind us all it truly is fall. If the Ducks, Beavers and High School Football wasn't enough of a reminder already. But now the time is drawing near to open up another NBA and college basketball season. I absolutely love this time of year. There is just so much great excitement around the Blazers and the possibilities of this season and what could be. What are your thoughts on the matter?

Personally, I feel that the Blazers are poised to have a breakout year. One that this old Coach has waited for, for many many years. Is that an NBA Championship year? NO! I don't think so this year. But, I do think this is the year that the Blazers prove they are an elite team in this league are ready to start dominating teams and win a couple playoff series. This is the year they realize who they are and who we all have believed that they are as well. The Blazers have a nucleus that has grown, matured and is primed to make a big splash.

Here are my 5 Keys to Success This Season:

1) Brandon Roy - B Roy is a proven All-Star now and needs to become a vocal leader to spur the rest of this team to new heights. His leadership on the floor has to be more than just taking the big shot. It has to be getting all of these guys around him to trust him, rely upon him, and look to him as the stabilizing force when they face adversity night in and night out along this marathon that is the NBA regular season.

2) The coaching staff - moves in the off-season brought in true basketball minds with enormous amounts of experience and expertise on how to make a young group win. Coach Bickerstaff alone has more playoff experience than the Blazers entire roster. I think they have to work on discovering a consistent offense and one that has much more movement in it. How do you beat teams like Miami and LA that have stacked rosters? Make them play defense every possession and make them uncomfortable on the offensive end with your unrelenting pressure defense.

3) LaMarcus Aldridge - No longer just a young, talented player, LaMarcus must now become a dominate force inside and out on the floor. With his overall skills, I ask myself: Where is the passion, toughness, tenacity to become an elite player in this league? If he can add that to his game this year and go after rebounds, take the ball strong to the hole, impose his will on players, he will be an All-Star this year. (Big plus having players like Amare move to the Eastern conference as well as Carlos Boozer)

4) POINT GUARD - The Blazers must find a true point guard to add to this mix. I know a lot of people are saying that Greg and Joel being hurt are the Blazers biggest limiting factor, but I don't believe that is true. No offense to Andre Miller, but he is NOT the PG of the future for this franchise. He is a band-aide PG. We need a point guard like the guy in New Orleans to come to Portland. If we get a PG of that caliber on the roster I believe that this team is easily a 50-win team and can easily make the Western Conference Finals this year.

5) The Fans! - A winning team to go along with the best fans in all of sports. Blazer fans, now is your turn to celebrate, get excited and continue to support your team in only the way that YOU CAN! As President Obama said in his campaign two years ago..."YES WE CAN!" We can be the best team in the league and the best fans in the league. Together we get better and together we will exceed all expectations.

GO BLAZERS!