No, way. This was classified as the deepest threat in college football, seemingly invincible of relinquishing from the BCS picture. The Oregon Ducks were considered the most dangerous team in the nation aiming closer to a berth for a major bowl game, until the Quack Attack failed in persisting wondrous preeminence.
Although, the masses never pictured the Ducks owning the erratic polls, absorbing regards fairly was applaud, coming off a fascinating week when they smeared USC’s national title and Rose Bowl hopes in an entertaining romp. Only deed remaining was to transcend beyond, persuading the nation to merit roses or a national title in the state of Oregon.
What mattered was the Ducks, a compelling program earning top-notch regard when they shockingly pummeled the Trojans, who seems to be curse in the state of Oregon, with hidden ghost staging nightmarish misfortunes for the Trojan Man.
This miracle wasn’t supposed to happen inside a conference where a premier school, arguably in the country was impeccable, led by a true freshman Matt Berkley, a calm, cool and collective quarterback. Following the horrific on-field brawl, involving prolific running back LeGarrette Blount in Oregon’s season-opener, they weren’t supposed to overpower and raise eyebrows with an astonishing joyride.
Instead, however, the unthinkable joyride rattled analyst and football whizzes. Unexpectedly, that is, the Ducks emerged as bowl contenders, and generated an unbreakable bond and gelled as a cohesive core. Each week, doubting Oregon’s triumphant commodities was a misunderstanding when coach Chip Kelly provided inspirational leadership.
Each week, the Ducks performance enhanced at a high level in consistency, considering injuries had hampered a shorthanded defense. Thus, it has been an improbable year for Oregon, who were least expected to prevail and eclipse programs of high-regard. But emphasizing and defining a sleeper were the Ducks, before encountering a disastrous meltdown at Stanford.
Bad timing to collapse, when the chaotic BCS system leaves us guessing on which team deserves national rights. It’s bad timing surrendering to an unranked school when all victories matter in a laborious task to qualify for a BCS bowl game.
So, were the Ducks a mirage? Were the Ducks tangible? And can the Ducks continue quacking and still qualify for a bowl game?
That’s hard to tell in a period where disgruntled populace, including President Obama has appealed for a playoff system. As difficult as it remains to tell which school is worthy, seventh-ranked Oregon may have blown national title faith on Saturday at Stanford Stadium.
Wonder what happened to the fierce BCS killers, the potent offense that seemed unstoppable, practically upsetting and maneuvered into contention? Against Stanford the Ducks clearly disappeared and was too relax. They were still in a hangover, overconfident following last week’s immeasurable victory, which is worth bragging rights.
But clearly, overconfidence and inattentiveness presumably cost a grand appearance on the biggest stage including rose’s, maybe? For weeks now, Oregon repeatedly answered continuous questions about letdowns, a dilemma they have handled well to manage and remain atop the Pac-10 conference.
What we’ve witnessed in the Oregon-Stanford game was a letdown and a stunning upset. This wasn’t supposed to happen, but theoretically it was supposed to happen. The Ducks were supposed to be the underdogs, but should have won in a year they were considered unthinkable sleepers and were in position to upset in the unpredictable polls. And now this, an uninspiring, 51-42 loss against Stanford coming off their most awe-inspiring victory imploding a feasible moment deriving in Eugene, Oregon.
The Ducks haven’t lost since the embarrassing and shameful finish against Boise State. This obviously was the hottest program in the country, overlooked because of the Pac-10 conference, which doesn’t earn much recognition. Mostly the conference is considered an inferior one and one-sided, with the thought-to-be dominant USC.
But every season is different, depending upon a team’s sudden arrival and Oregon had arrived emerging quickly with jaw-dropping defeats and inspiring toughness. An eye-opening run of seven consecutive victories, or a margin of victories resulting in 22.7 points a game weren’t a fluke.
The high-powered offense is a functional nucleus through versatile quarterback Jeremiah Masoil, who held his head down in distraught at the postgame conference, and true freshman tailback LeMichael James had the ability to rush for 125 yards and scored on a 60-yard touchdown against the Cardinal.
Needing a dramatic comeback severely hurt the Ducks in the fourth quarter, as Stanford controlled momentum mainly in the final quarter of regulation by holding 15-minute margin in time of possession. It didn’t leave plenty of time for the Ducks to effectuate their high-powered weapons. Otherwise, we could have classified them as the comeback kids, a comparison to Iowa’s trait rallying to a late come-from-behind victory.
As it turned out, the Cardinal salvaged bowl eligibility in desperation upset. Their scoreboard read 51-points, in a contest were Oregon hadn’t surrendered that many points all season. Mentality and physically prepared for a big contest were the Cardinal, which is why coach Jim Harbaugh has an excellent track record against ranked opponents. Known for his upsetting defeats, the Ducks were victims of a formidable upset, an empathic downfall in what USC suffered in 2007 against a 4-8 Stanford.
As Oregon failed to slow down the Cardinal, they were fortunate in an effective running game. Gifted tailback Toby Gerhart rushed for 223 yards on 38 carries with three touchdowns, destroying the Ducks defense and sprinted like a “warrior”, a way Harbaugh likes describing his irresistible and finesse superstar.
We might have spoken too soon about the Ducks, especially after slaughtering the mighty Trojan Man. Just in an instant, the Ducks earned recognition for knocking off the most potent program in the Pac-10 in recent years.
Keeping a close eye on the Quack Attack was normal, and anointing all their deeds were understandable clearly overcoming turbulence at the beginning of the season. There wasn’t a better coach in the country who handled on-field troubles better than Kelly, who assembled this program and inspired his team to come together as a cohesive team.
So, the Ducks were good and still are good.
They might be good, but just how great?
