OT: Oregon Play Signs

Submitted by exmtroj on

So, with the big exposure of the Oregon play-calling cards both during the game,and later on Sportscenter, I did a little searching to see if I could find anything that explained the Oregon play signs and found the following:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2010/04/oregon_football_ducks_signal_n.html

Seems like this is a big reason why the Ducks are averaging around 15 seconds in between the end of a play and the next snap.  I wonder if this will catch on more over the years. The great part is, it's all a big inside joke type of deal, and there doesn't seem to be any way to decipher it if you're an opposing coach; tonight Oregon used the same signal boards multiple times and ran different plays each time.  I know Chip Kelly learned this offense from Coach Rod, but it seems so much more different and creative; I would love to see us hit this type of tempo, it's other-worldly.

cjpops

October 22nd, 2010 at 1:30 AM ^

Certainly seems different than Michigan's right now.  A few things I noticed:

  1. Oregon's tempo seems faster than UM's.  Not sure if it is, but, it sure seems that way.
  2. Seems like Oregon fakes the ball to the RB on just about every play.  Reminds me of Illinois and Juice Williams.
  3. Oregon has a truly dynamic RB.

I don't think that Oregon necessarily has a better offense, but, that RB fake hand off thing has to be honored on just about every play.  I like it.

The real exciting thing is that I think that UM is going to look just like Oregon in 2012.  Great offense.  Decent defense.  Capable kicker and special teams.  A factor in the Big 10 and possibly beyond.

GOBLUE4EVR

October 22nd, 2010 at 7:26 AM ^

correct with your statement... in this O if you don't have a QB and RB that the D has to respect running wise you're basically screwed... carlos brown should have been perfect for this offense but he went down way to easily, and shaw is sort of turning out to be the same type of runner... the best part about oregon is they have been able to do it with big backs and little backs so it doesn't have to be a big time speed guy you  just have to be able to execute the "hand off" part of the spread to get that DE to bite... michigans D has always had problems with running QB's so what dixon was able to do that day in 2007 should have been no surprise to anyone... but it wouldn't have been so bad if michigans D would have just stayed home more often instead of over committing on pretty much every play...

profitgoblue

October 22nd, 2010 at 9:20 AM ^

Are you saying that an opponent can simply ignore the fake because Smith/Shaw/Hopkins are not great RBs?  That doesn't make sense to me - even a below average running back can run through gashes in the line.  The defense has to stay home and defend against both options.  Otherwise, Rodriguez will pick up on the lack of respect and simply run the RB.  Its not like the RBs are peg-legged . . .

Maizeforlife

October 22nd, 2010 at 8:49 AM ^

exactly.  This is what I kept telling my wife last night.  Oregon runs the same, if not a very simmilar scheme as Michigan.  Only they've had a few more years in the system.  This is what Michigan will become on offense.  The key difference right now is that the Oregon D is playing lights out on just about every team they face. 

EGD

October 22nd, 2010 at 2:22 AM ^

Here are some signs the MIchigan coaching staff can hold up:

1) Yes we know the defense is bad we are working on it

2) If you can kick field goals call (734) KIK-4-MICH

3) If you can read this you don't go to MSU

4) We're going to get +3 RPS for this next one...

5) Will work for 5-star DB recruit

EGD

October 22nd, 2010 at 10:45 AM ^

Glad you liked it.  Though, I was thinking it's too bad nobody came up with this idea 15 or 20 years ago.  Then we could've had a sign where on the front it says "Pam Ward is HOT" and then you turn it around and on the back it says "Not!"  Of course that joke isn't funny anymore.

mgoblue52

October 22nd, 2010 at 2:25 AM ^

I used to be a hater of Oregon because they represented the antithesis of Michigan - constantly changing uniforms, what I thought was a "gimmick" offense, and no sense of fundamental tradition.

After they came to the Big House in 2007, I couldn't help but just admit my hatred was admiration.  As Dennis Dixon tore apart our senior-laden team and they ran circles around our slow "Big Ten" linebackers, I realized that we were living in a Big Ten time capsule.  Former LB coach Jay Hopson topped it off when he referred to the spread as "Communist Football."  It was then that I realized the game had passed our school; I wanted our offense to be like Oregon's.

That's why I was so excited for the Rodriguez hire, and I have been encouraged with the signs I have seen on offense.  If we can get our offense up to the tempo that Oregon has its, I would love to see a slowass Wisconsin, MSU, or Iowa LB try to keep up.

profitgoblue

October 22nd, 2010 at 9:29 AM ^

Did you forget about the Corey Blount sledge hammering on the Michigan turf after their victory in 2007?  My neighbor played right tackle on the O-Line for that 2007 team and said coming into the Big House and hammering Michigan is the highlight of his college career.  He had a good laugh about that one and there wasn't much I could say - the guy is 6'5" 330lbs.  I still hate Oregon (but totally respect their offense).

Super J

October 22nd, 2010 at 2:55 AM ^

I still hate Oregon.

I hated Mike the Molester (No he never touched me) he was a douche when he was their coach.  I hate the fans out here the have this sense of entitlement without ever doing anything.  One thing I have to remind Duck Fans all the time is Michigan has more national titles than Oregon has 2000 yard passers.  They have 7 guys do it for 10 times and we all know we have 11 championships.

PS Chip is not as bad

EGD

October 22nd, 2010 at 9:41 AM ^

Oregon fans are more sophisticated d-bags than Ohio State fans.  I think the mentality of an Oregon fan is, basically, "we are the best at everything by a wide margin, but because we are in Eugene, OR, we are often overlooked by the rest of the country, which consists of nothing but ignorant proles."  With tUOS you get more of the meathead/buffoon element where it's like "Ohio State is awesome and if anybodys says different I'll kick their ass." 

Either way I was pretty disappointed when a crater did not open in the middle of Pasadena last January and swallow large swaths of each team's fanbase into the Earth. 

Blue_n_Aww

October 22nd, 2010 at 3:31 AM ^

Can you imagine the media backlash if Rodreguez held up some of those signs? "Dennis Rodman was on the sign board. Blerg Blerg. Family values. Blerg Blerg."

willywill9

October 22nd, 2010 at 4:24 AM ^

I found those signs hilarious. If we had one i'd assume itd go something like:

1. Donald duck
2. Road runner or Denard heisman pose
3. Untied Shoes
4. Prohibited sign over Freep
5. Lloyd Brady
6. Dominoes pizza
7. Moar Practice
8. GERG with his beautiful hair
9. Mustache logo
10. MGoBlog homepage screenshot

Ok, so maybe most of these are memes. What would you think the team would have though?

mgobleu

October 22nd, 2010 at 7:03 AM ^

Seemed to me like against UConn, ND and IU, there was more deception and misdirection, and it made defenses look silly. Thru MSU and Iowa, it seems like in that kind of adversity they pull back on that stuff and run a more basic package. Minimizing mistakes? Maybe. But when's the last time we saw that little stutter-step run fake to pull the LB's down and leave the slot wide open? That stuff is money, and I hope we see it next week against a weakened defense.

Magnus

October 22nd, 2010 at 7:51 AM ^

If you re-watch the past couple games, I think you'll find that play you're looking for...

...it's just that Iowa and MSU haven't been dumb enough to a) take the bait and b) play much Cover zero.

You do realize that the play is a run-pass option, right?  If Roundtree (or whatever slot receiver) doesn't pop open, Robinson's just supposed to keep running. 

blueinwestlansing

October 22nd, 2010 at 6:58 AM ^

We do have stuff like what Oregon has deep in our playbook. We don't use because the coaches doesn't think young players are ready for that yet. Ever here coaches say they have about 60% of the offense down? This is what they mean. Oregon on the other hand can run a very high tempo & open the playbook up, because they have the offense down.

MechEng97

October 22nd, 2010 at 7:44 AM ^

I hear you that Oregon seems a lot faster - that was ridiculous what they did to UCLA.  The tempo and explosiveness if better than M.  I couldn't help but wonder why they seem another level from M.  Kelly hasn't been there any longer than RichRod.

I haven't had a chance to look at their depth chart yet to see how experienced Oregon is, but man they looked good.  

Magnus

October 22nd, 2010 at 8:12 AM ^

I don't think anyone can sit here and say that they don't envy Oregon at least a little bit for their on-field success over the past few years.  And I think we all would love to have a running back like LaMichael James.  Even when Denard Robinson was shredding defenses earlier in the year, you could tell that Oregon's offense was operating at a higher level - they just didn't have one guy accounting for 80% of their yardage.

profitgoblue

October 22nd, 2010 at 9:34 AM ^

I completely agree.  Oregon's defense does look like its operating at a higher level, which is probably to be expected.  That said, their defense is also much more servicable and that spells doom for opponents.  The offense puts so much pressure on opposing defenses that, if Michigan's defense was even just a little better, the offense would put up some serious points (a la Oregon).  The offense just doesn't get enough opportunities - yet.

those.who.stay.

October 22nd, 2010 at 10:22 AM ^

looked like a bunch of tall-lanky speedsters at every position. They didn't over power UCLA's offensive line, they just penetrated exceedingly well and broke to the ball incredibly well. With that offense, all you need to do on defense is get a stop every once in a while. But damn that was a fun game to watch.

NateVolk

October 22nd, 2010 at 9:20 AM ^

I love what Oregon does and it is had to imagine them losing any games in that league.  Look out for USC in 8 days in LA.  They played lights out against Cal and that very talented but young defense looked like it is coming together.  They can win matchups on the line and maybe slow them down enough.

On offense they can push around Oregon up front and play keep away. The Ohio State formula from the Rose Bowl last year.

In other words, Oregon by 2 or 3 touchdowns.

Hannibal.

October 22nd, 2010 at 9:53 AM ^

I'd find those signs a lot less annoying if they didn't have an ESPN personality in the upper left of all of them.  The last thing that all of those egotistical self-serving dickheads need is more worship from idiotic fanboys.

Ziff72

October 22nd, 2010 at 10:08 AM ^

I like how everyone is riding the Chip Kelly bandwagon right now.   I'll go back and do a search to see where you were all at last September when they put up like 100yds of offense and got dismantled by Boise St and Chip Kelly was a national joke that was being compared to a prison warden for all of Oregon's troubles on and off the field.   Amazingly he was given time and now he's a genius once again.  Could we allow our team to actually have an upperclassmen at QB on the roster before we decide what we need to change on offense. 

The Harbaughnger

October 22nd, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^

Not sure why this hasn't already been posted in the thread, but for those who haven't seen the play cards:

 

 

(Even the Ref is like, "What the...?  That sign says 'TREE'!")

 

 

I don't think this is just a super slick way to make sure players know the call- it's genius marketing too.  All the chatter/buzz about Oregon that's generated will be another notch in their brand belt of recruit-attraction/uniqueness.  Not only that, the people/things they picture will certainly draw even more attention...Caddyshack, Scott Van Pelt, Lee Corso, etc.  It's acknowledging the hype machine while also giving it extra momentum.  It's a win, win, win in my book.

Steve in PA

October 22nd, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^

Two more years until we're the envy of the spread team world.  Next year we get an awesome offense full of Jrs and Srs and a competent defense.  The year after we get a kick ass defense to go with an overpowering offense.

I'm giddy with excitement and I get to enjoy watching the current Michigan team until then.

Zone Left

October 22nd, 2010 at 1:15 PM ^

I feel the same way.  2011 and 2012 offenses could be sick.  Oregon is in a special place right now, but Michigan is averaging over 500 yards this season.

The real issue is a competent defense.  If Michigan can start stopping people, they'll get a shorter field and keep defenses on the field longer.  That's what will translate into serious points going forward.

jmblue

October 22nd, 2010 at 3:30 PM ^

It's not just an inside joke.  They believe that OSU deciphered their signals before the Rose Bowl and came up with this as a way to prevent that from happening again. 

Bb011

October 22nd, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^

I love it. I don't want us to adopt this though....

 

I would, however,  like us to create something creative and unique to us  though to get the plays out there faster.