Oregon v Arizona, Boise v Nevada Open Thread

Don't know if I've ever seen anyone more wide open than Criner was on that play.

Oregon has generally been a very, very strong second half team, but they better get it in gear. No way they end up a one-loss team and make it to the MNC.

If Oregon wins but does not finish strong I wonder if Auburn will be #1 come Sunday

Thomas finally ran the ball and was able to score with ease.  Oregon's offense has been boring without Thomas rushing.

If #44 on Arizona played for Michigan and we were on the road against the #1 offense in the country, had just held them to a missed FG, but #44 jumped offsides to keep the drive going, I guarantee he would become a pariah in Ann Arbor.

I mean I have no stake in who wins this game, and even I wanted to Lewanize a donkey after watching that boneheaded display right there.

Geez, I bet Arizona wishes there was a reset button right about now. Gotta love Chip Kelly; when Oregon is down going into the half, his halftime interviews can basically be summed up with the statement "Bitch, I got this. We ain't panickin'!"

After watching 2nd quarter to the end of Ala-Auburn, and am still watching Oregon Arizona, several observations:

1. A fast spread offense can work in a variety of situation and weather.

2. Both Oregon and Auburn had that other player who could also break a big play. The QB is the key but they both had another player who was a real running threat.

3. Auburn's victory (helped by injuries to Alabama) was in large part due to their defense shutting down Alabama in the second half - so yes, great offense, but even better defensive performance.

4. Oregon's offense gets plays off quickly - they don't seem to be looking to the sideline as long - if they are getting signaled in, it is faster than what we've seen with the Wolverines.

5. Both Auburn and Oregon defenses are far more aggressive - lot more blitzes, lot more pressures (even when not blitzing - trying to overload one edge). These two defenses looked like they were built along different lines - Oregon looks smaller but speedier. Auburn looks more conventional. Both however really tried to put pressure on the QB.

If everyone on the team continues to mature and develop and if we get a bit healthier on defense and more consistent at lead RB, 2011 might be a really good year. Go Blue!

looked real impressive so far.  They pretty much shut down Nevada's vaunted running attack and does not give Kaepernick and Taua any room to run.  Winston Venable is a boss.  He would be a perfect bandit for Michigan defense.

I assume we're keeping it so vanilla because of the youth, but do you think that GERG has something to do with it?

I can literally count on my fingers how many times we've blitzed this season -- that's usually not a good thing.

I kind of hope we go balls to the wall in Columbus -- blitzes everywhere, onside kicks, going for it on 4th downs, a couple trick plays, etc.

NEVADA!

That didnt take long for Boise to respond. One play, 79-yard TD.

Overtime.

Mhm.  Interesting.

Go Wolf Pack!

young catches bomb with 1 sec left, HOOOOLYYYYY SHITTTTTT

think the clock should have ticked to zero?!

What in the fucking holy name of the football gods was Nevada's safeties doing? The history of your whole fucking program hinges on this one play, and you completely blew it.

After Nevada scores, they give up a 79 yard TD play.

Then they score again to tie it at 31 and give up a 54 yard pass play, to their own 9 with 0:01 remaining.