At 2-1, What is our Ceiling?

[bigsugarduck]

I made this thread last week and we pretty much concluded that we knew nothing yet.

Now, with another win I feel that we learned a few things about the team, but still don;t know what our ceiling is. Run game looks like its getting better week by week as the Oline get more reps. The defense probably wont be a dominant unit this year, but it will be a very good, fast, hard hitting bunch that creates a lot of turnovers. I also feel that the special teams play has been very good and should be the case most of the season. My concerns, are the lack of a passing game thus far. But there is no reason to think the passing game will not improve.

I feel like I have seen enough out of this team to say a big season is still possible but need to see how the Cal game plays out. Don't forget that while the last few games have been tough at times to watch, they have faced a lot of adversity and have come out with a couple of W's. I expect the ducks to pull out the close games the rest of the season. If this team does start hitting on all cylinders, look out.

I really like our chances against Cal for a few reasons. The playbook should be opened up, more motion, more deception, more points. Cal had a most unfortunate thing happen to them up in Seattle when USC lost, making them the odds on favorite for the pac-10 title. The last time Cal became the favorite they responded with a shocking loss to OSU in Memorial stadium. I think Cal plays much better in the contender role. Bering the favorite is tough, just ask USC. Kevin Riely is an Oregon boy. By all accounts he has played well this season, but Autzen is a different animal. More often than not, a player going back home to play under-performs. The whole family will probably be there and he'll be getting calls from old buddies in high school who are going to be in the crowd. He could shine, but most don't who are in his position. I think, but maybe hope is a better word, that our linebackers are quick enough and good enough tacklers to hold Best to a modest effort by his standards (22 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD). Autzen will be rocking, and if the game is close, I like the pressure the noise has on an opposing team at the end of a game. Lastly, This team is HUNGRY for a victory against Cal! They should play very tough in my estimation.

Beat Cal, and I like our chances in every remaining game. Lose to Cal, and I think 2-3 more losses are in order. Should be an interesting Week.

What do you think?

[woundedknees]

If the Ducks find a consistent passing game, the sky is the limit.

I any of the improvements we have witnessed so far drop off significantly, who knows.

I have been wondering to myself if the fact the offense is struggling so mightily could be contributing to a tougher, more hardnosed and determined mindset on the part of the defense. It's a lot harder to win when your team is not one of the fastest scoring offensive machines in the country.

[EncinitasDuck]

I think most of Masoli's problem is he has no confidence in the Oline and he's skittish, hearing footsteps. As long as the O-line keeps progressing this week maybe he will settle the feet down a bit, feel comfortable squaring up before release and the passing game will improve. If the Oline starts giving him more time, Kelly needs to get in his ear and tell him to trust that he has time and doesn't have to hurry every throw or throw off his back foot. Last year he knew he had time and was a lot more poised.

Even if we lose this weekend to CAL but continued improvement is there 8-4, maybe even 9-3 is still possible.

[Tray Dub]

I think we could win out. I think there's a miniscule chance of that, but technically, ceiling means the best we can do. We've got the potential to beat SC, Cal, and not slip up against anyone else. More realistically though, I think we'll lose three more games. The big if is still Masoli. If he improves back to what he was at the end of last year, we could probably lose only one more game. But that's a hell of an if at this point.

[OreDucks01284]

I am thinking it could be repeat of last season, 8-3 Loss to Cal, USC and Boise State. I think we have better chance beating USC than we do against Cal.

[monster]

I am thinking it could be repeat of last season, 8-3 Loss to Cal, USC and Boise State. I think we have better chance beating USC than we do against Cal.

This sounds about right to me. At best, I think we're in for 2 more losses - though I'd say one of them comes to a surprise opponent like Arizona, UCLA or OSU.

[OreDucks01284]

I am thinking it could be repeat of last season, 8-3 Loss to Cal, USC and Boise State. I think we have better chance beating USC than we do against Cal.

This sounds about right to me. At best, I think we're in for 2 more losses - though I'd say one of them comes to a surprise opponent like Arizona, UCLA or OSU.

true, it is possible to have suprise loss against Arizona, Ucla or OSU. I would not count out Stanford either.

[GoDucksIn09]

A few weeks ago when had to reevaluate our chances this season I said 7-5 and we have since played one of the teams I thought we would lose to so to do it again I will now say 8-4 with losses to Cal this weekend.. and USC on Halloween and then one loss on the road to either UCLA or heaven forbid.. the Huskies or Stanford. The huskies are playing a lot better than they have in past like it or not.. they will not be a cakewalk. I would love to see us beat Cal.. but I do not see it happening.. of course I was wrong about the Utah game.. so who knows. I see Cal being 5x better though than Utah and they will challenge us the most we been challenged so far this year.. more so than Boise State. We need our defense to continue playing well...continue tackling and our special teams to keep playing well.. and Masoli to get in rhythm.. something I know he can do despite all the whiners here thinking he deserves to be thrown under the bus.

[freedjr]

Ceiling: Win out, Rose Bowl with a great game against Penn St. We have the talent and just need to start putting together all around good games.

What I think: Lose two or three more games.