With USC off this weekend, let’s take stock of the Pac-12. Oregon, like USC, will get a crack at Deion Sanders and Colorado in the month of September. Where are the Ducks in their overall evolution as a team this season?
Oregon scored 81 points in its season opener against Portland State of the FCS. Then the Ducks fell behind Texas Tech before rallying to win 38-30 this past Saturday in Lubbock.
On one hand, Oregon didn’t look great against Texas Tech. On the other hand, the Ducks picked themselves off the mat and rallied to win on a night when they easily could have faltered in the fourth quarter.
We asked our Pac-12 expert panel: Is Oregon’s 2-0 record more of a commentary on Texas Tech or the Ducks?
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Don Smalley, Ducks Wire: The Ducks have some concerns after the Texas Tech game. Getting pressure on the QB, penalties and the running game all need improvement.
Zachary Neel, Ducks Wire: Teams make the biggest improvement jumps from Week 1 to Week 2. Because of Oregon’s glorified scrimmage in Week 1 vs. PSU, I think they will make the biggest jump from Week 2 to Week 3. I’m not worried about the Ducks.
Matt Wadleigh, Trojans and Buffaloes Wire: No, absolutely not. Texas Tech was more motivated after a Weel 1 loss to Wyoming and played in Lubbock. The Ducks are still one of the top teams in the entire country.
Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire: Not really. Winning in Lubbock against a motivated Big 12 team in early September is a really good win even if you accept the claim that Texas Tech isn’t especially good. This is a survival business, and September is the true survival season when teams are finding their footing.
Check out our Pac-12 football predictions roundtable for the 2023 season.