From a fans perspective this game feels like potentially a tipping point for both programs. For UCLA a win would go a long way to validate the Kelly hire. And ironically a Duck win feels like it could go a long way to extinguish the nostalgia that many have had for Kelly era.
UCLA has yet to be tested on the road. A very big TBD. Oregon hasn't really faced anyone since the Georgia game. We'll learn a lot more about both teams Saturday.
Chip Kelly is going to come in to Autzen and beat the ducks in the house he built. Duck fans,put on your number 8 jerseys, pray to your disciples: Marcus,Mark,Willie and Mario. Kelly is going to give Uncle Phil his 85th Birthday parting gift.
I think we can agree this is Chip's best UCLA team - and as others have said, they don't have a 'signature' win yet (UW and UTAH at home are nice but tell only so much). Oregon doesn't have have a signature win either. Somebody gonna get one on Saturday. Go Ducks.
Both QBs have a history of looking fantastic ... but then occasionally really falling flat.
We've seen it many times from DTR, and there's a reason people down South would say "will we get good Bo or bad Bo today?"
If both play as well as they've been playing of late, this should be a phenomenal game, right down deep into the 4th quarter.
Something I'm keeping an eye on: any hint of penalty resurgence from Oregon, particularly in a big home spot like this where the players are likely to be amped. They've been cruising against lesser teams of late ... different cut of steak on Saturday
I couldn't agree with you more, John. This meeting of these teams and these coaches in this stadium with the same College Gameday that Chip lured to Eugene so many times in his tenure. I will always love the guy and be eternally grateful for being fortunate enough to be a Ducks fan while he changed the landscape of football in so many ways.
Now, Go Ducks. I would love nothing more than to see Dan Lanning and company beat his considerable brains out while the Autzen faithful roar in deafening approval and SHOUT rings in his ears from a different time.
Fun to read the comments. Thank you John for having this format for us fans. As I don’t care what team wins I will just sit back and watch the zebra team and replay booth at command center work their magic. I hope it infuriates both sides.
I loved the job Chip Kelly did when he coached Oregon football. It was a perfect storm, Kelly was in the right place at the right time, and his innovations changed the game. Kelly has UCLA clicking on all cylinders, but I think Oregon’s team is more talented over all and has yet to play their best game. Lanning has coached his team to improvement every game this season, and I appreciate how he and his staff have made Oregon football fun again. I also think the rainy weather, the Autzen crowd, and shaky Pac 12 officiating will effect the outcome of the game. I think Oregon is going to find a way to win this game.
I hope the Ducks destroy UCLA, as in devastation and annihilation level destruction. Just to be clear, I want the Ducks to win.
What a great story! Yes, nothing like watching the Ducks and UCLA play and makes us all forget the ugly stuff in the world. Thanks for a spirit boost!
From a fans perspective this game feels like potentially a tipping point for both programs. For UCLA a win would go a long way to validate the Kelly hire. And ironically a Duck win feels like it could go a long way to extinguish the nostalgia that many have had for Kelly era.
Chip was the best coach Oregon has had in the last 25 years
UCLA has yet to be tested on the road. A very big TBD. Oregon hasn't really faced anyone since the Georgia game. We'll learn a lot more about both teams Saturday.
Chip Kelly is going to come in to Autzen and beat the ducks in the house he built. Duck fans,put on your number 8 jerseys, pray to your disciples: Marcus,Mark,Willie and Mario. Kelly is going to give Uncle Phil his 85th Birthday parting gift.
I think we can agree this is Chip's best UCLA team - and as others have said, they don't have a 'signature' win yet (UW and UTAH at home are nice but tell only so much). Oregon doesn't have have a signature win either. Somebody gonna get one on Saturday. Go Ducks.
This game fascinates me
Both QBs have a history of looking fantastic ... but then occasionally really falling flat.
We've seen it many times from DTR, and there's a reason people down South would say "will we get good Bo or bad Bo today?"
If both play as well as they've been playing of late, this should be a phenomenal game, right down deep into the 4th quarter.
Something I'm keeping an eye on: any hint of penalty resurgence from Oregon, particularly in a big home spot like this where the players are likely to be amped. They've been cruising against lesser teams of late ... different cut of steak on Saturday
Great story! Kelly brought the most exciting times of Oregon Ducks football.
I really hope this game isn't ruined by the P12 refs
They are far too involved in most every P12 game I watch
Too ticky-tack, overly verbose, too soft on judgment calls, too long on replays
I just want to see, think about and hear from the referees a lot less than we always do in the P12
I think that this game is going to be too much for UCLA...
On the Road, Game Day, Autzen Craziness and the Rain forecast.
45-17 Ducks
I couldn't agree with you more, John. This meeting of these teams and these coaches in this stadium with the same College Gameday that Chip lured to Eugene so many times in his tenure. I will always love the guy and be eternally grateful for being fortunate enough to be a Ducks fan while he changed the landscape of football in so many ways.
Now, Go Ducks. I would love nothing more than to see Dan Lanning and company beat his considerable brains out while the Autzen faithful roar in deafening approval and SHOUT rings in his ears from a different time.
Great take Jon, thank you.
BTW: Kelly, while at Manchester, NH high school was a member of the highest scoring hockey line ln the school's history.
Win the day. Go, Ducks!
Fun to read the comments. Thank you John for having this format for us fans. As I don’t care what team wins I will just sit back and watch the zebra team and replay booth at command center work their magic. I hope it infuriates both sides.
I loved the job Chip Kelly did when he coached Oregon football. It was a perfect storm, Kelly was in the right place at the right time, and his innovations changed the game. Kelly has UCLA clicking on all cylinders, but I think Oregon’s team is more talented over all and has yet to play their best game. Lanning has coached his team to improvement every game this season, and I appreciate how he and his staff have made Oregon football fun again. I also think the rainy weather, the Autzen crowd, and shaky Pac 12 officiating will effect the outcome of the game. I think Oregon is going to find a way to win this game.