My QB Has Moxie

Well I couldn’t NOT comment on it.

Boise State 19, Oregon 8.  I don’t think John Canzano is joing the the LeGarrette Blount Fan Club any time soon.

Aside from LaGarrette Blount’s classy actions following the game, I have some thoughts and possible ramifications.

First, ew boy…what an ugly game.  Particularly in the second half.  I was only able to watch the second half but I listened to the first half on the radio.  I know, what is this, 1948?  At any rate, to recap, the second half went: turnover, turnover, turnover on downs, turnover, turnover.  Or something to that effect.  Neither team looked particularly impressive but Oregon just looked downright bad on offense.  They only managed to string one strong drive together.  The play calling was bad.  The play was bad.  It was just ugly.

Chip Kelly certainly didn’t do much to assuage any fears that he can’t run a prolific offense and be an effective head coach.  I know, it’s early and we can’t yet judge but I have to question having a downhill runner (Blount) running sideways when you need a) out of your own endzone and b) a first down on a 4th and 1.  Seriously, maybe every once in a while get Jeremiah Masoli behind center and just run straight down hill with your big back.

Speaking of Masoli, he certainly didn’t look at all like the sleeper Heisman candidate he has been hyped to be in some circles.  He wasn’t accurate and often made poor decisions.  He also had two big turnovers.  Credit can and should be given to Boise State defensive coordinator (and former UO Duck) Justin Wilcox’s scheme but Masoli was unable to get anything going except in the Ducks’ lone scoring drive.  I think Bob Davies said it well, when Oregon has to pass the ball, they are just another team.  They aren’t built for it.  Masoli doesn’t have the accuracy to consistently strike his receivers downfield when the defense knows it’s coming.  His saving grace is his terrific ability to scramble and buy time.  It enabled him to hit receivers downfield a few times but the truth is he can’t make a living out doing that.  And for God’s sake, it wouldn’t kill you to run out of bounds instead of right at two defenders.

Lastly on Oregon and back at criticizing Kelly, why in the hell did Oregon keep feeding the ball to Blount?  Even in the first half, the Oregon radio crew suggested that Kelly go with backup LaMichael James.  James seemed to fit more with what Oregon was trying to do, specifically in the second half.  He is a back that can run the option with Masoli, split out wide, and do a little running inside.  The truth is Blount has been sold as an every down back and I just don’t buy it.  He is a change of pace power running back.  Kelly just failed to change the pace enough and go with James more.  I guess he will have plenty of chances to feed James the ball over the next 1 to 3 games.

And Oregon Duck fans, time to start worrying about your offensive line.  Well, maybe about a month ago was time but now you have it confirmed.

The one thing that angers me a little about this game is that now Boise State will certainly go undefeated with their weak-ass remaining schedule.  Come the end of the season some (cough*The Big Lead*cough) will be touting them for a BCS bowl game which they certainly don’t deserve.  They didn’t look all that impressive tonight against the one opponent they needed to look impressive against.  And no, I don’t buy the “a win is a win” theory.  Especially when BSU had home field advantage against a team that, at least for the moment, looks pretty disappointing.