Oregon midseason report: It’s ugly, but it’s not over

By Marc Hudgens  |   Monday, October 20, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Oregon Ducks
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OK, so it’s really just past the midway point of the Oregon Ducks’ season. But the bye week, which came after seven games instead of six, is the best time for a review.

With the quarterback carousel, injuries and poor pass defense, things haven't been pretty in Eugene. Somehow, though, Oregon (5-2 overall, 3-1 in the Pac-10) has weaseled its way to third place in its conference standings (behind Arizona and USC).

Things will only get tougher during the final five games of the season. After all, Mike Bellotti-led Oregon faces always pesky Cal, not to mention hot Arizona and Oregon State squads. Floundering Arizona State, next up on Oregon’s docket, will be the Ducks’ easiest opponent. Quarterback Rudy Carpenter has a hurt ankle, which won't help the cause of a terrible ASU offense.

That will be the Ducks' best chance for a win the rest of the season. Even Stanford isn’t looking too shabby these days, so there will be work to put in before Saturday night in Tempe.

If the past two years are any indication, USC will drop one more game by season’s end. Sure, the Trojans looked grand in blowing out pitiful Washington State, 69-0, in a cupcake conference win, but today’s USC is game-to-game.

In order to have a shot at a conference title, Oregon must run the table and have USC lose at least another game.

The Ducks have done wonderfully in light of their troubles -- a sign of a well-coached team. They’re not world-beaters by any means this year, but their perseverance through this trying time has paid off. Now it’s just a matter of persevering for five more games.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He...
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