In addition to being a singer/songwriter, I am also a huge sports junkie — namely, the Oregon Ducks and the Portland Trailblazers. That said, I spend A LOT of time in the sporting forums and am continually appalled at the disrespect that the SEC fans show toward the lowly likes of this year’s Oregon team (9-0).
Well, because they refuse to believe that an Alabama/Oregon National Championship would even be competitive, I decided to write a comment that pokes a few holes in their baseless, elitist rants. May it open some eyes:
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I am an Oregon fan (and alumni) and I’d like to start by saying that I’m not delusional enough to believe that we’d walk all over Alabama, however, Alabama seems to be delusional enough to believe that they’d walk all over Oregon. My southern friends, you should check yourself on that one.
Truth #1: “Alabama’s defense is a whole different monster than Oregon’s.”
Truth #2: Oregon’s offense is a whole different monster than Alabama’s.
SEC puts pride in their D. PAC-12 puts pride in their O. TomAto (with a side of grits), tomAto (with a side of hummus).
Further, I see 3 reoccurring arguments against Oregon and they END here:
1. Oregon can’t score against an SEC defense…
If history is any guide, in the last 3 years, Oregon has faced 3 SEC opponents. We can all agree that Oregon vs Tennessee (49-13) bolsters neither side, therefore, moving on to the more legitimate contests against the SEC’s most elite, Oregon lost to Cam Newton’s Auburn (the cream of the SEC crop) by a last second field goal, assisted by a highly controversial call. A mere 3-point loss to the SEC’s (and the NATION’s) best.
A year later, Oregon lost to then #1 LSU (27-40), thus posting 27 points on a “mighty” SEC defense, which happens to be the most points LSU allowed all season, including their fellow SEC opponents. Let’s also keep in mind that Oregon lost 27-40 because D’Anthony Thomas had two major freshman fumbles in his very first game as a college athlete (after large gains, mind you). If Oregon were to face an SEC team today, Thomas would be two full seasons more experienced and you can bet he wouldn’t make that mistake again — oh, and did I mention he’s only the 2nd best running back for Oregon?
2. Oregon’s only decent win is against a 2-loss USC team…
True. However, if I’m not mistaken, LSU is now a 2-loss team … does that mean they’re not a competitive squad worth note on Alabama’s strength of schedule? I digress.
In regards to USC, both of their losses were for a combined 9 points. This is also a USC team that has the talent to have earned them a pre-season ranking of #1, they just lack the discipline to wield their tools properly. Further, this was a prideful USC team, at home, that would die before surrendering a 3rd loss. In the end, Matt Barkley (THE projected #1 NFL pick) and his phenomenal receiver duo (Marqise Lee and Robert Woods are unanimously considered the top receiving core in the nation), finally sacked up and, for once, reached their pre-season potential — it just so happens that the Ducks showed that they’re the real #1 team.
NOTE: I’d also like to mention that Oregon scores so quickly and so efficiently that opposing offenses are on the field for a disproportionate amount of time. When offenses are on the field for 7-8 extra drives, points will be scored, regardless of what kind of defense is on the field. Nobody is proud of the 51 points allowed by Oregon but it was partly a result of Oregon’s offense consistently scoring on sub-2-minute drives, verses the clock-controlling 8-minute drives that you’d see from an Alabama offense.
3. Strength of Schedule…
I’m becoming long-winded so I’ll just state that, with the exception of LSU (a 2-loss team), Alabama’s opponents are no more impressive than Oregon’s. Call it a wash.
NOTE: Oregon was slated to play Kansas State in the pre-season, however, because they decided to take the “Dallas Challenge” from the mighty LSU, the game against KSU (now #2) was cancelled. Oregon was chasing a better opponent, rather than running from one, illustrating that they’re not scared of a pre-season or post-season challenge.
Bottom line, SEC is a wonderful conference, full of steady tradition, but Oregon is a progressive and growing organism that WILL hang points on Alabama — even Nic Saban has back-handedly hinted at being afraid of facing Oregon and their fast-paced approach.
The 2012 Ducks are better than the 2 previous seasons mentioned above and would be honored to avenge their former 2 SEC losses by showing these “elite” defenses exactly what it’s like to play against a true offense. It’ll be a highly competitive dog fight; to say anything else is setting yourself up for a sore disappointment.
Go Ducks.