I was really impressed with Griffin's command and fundamentals. There was a play near the end of the game when he looked for a couple reads downfield, found nothing, then looked to his outlet to the right and could clearly see an Oregon defender closing in on him. He stepped into his throw to the outlet, and in doing so took a big shot in the ribs, but he completed the pass to keep the late drive alive. It was a little thing, but even after 3 years I'm sure DTR would have retreated from the onrushing defender and maybe he misses the easy dump off.
I was really worried about our lack of depth at QB but Griffin looks like a very acceptable backup and a guy who can develop into a really effective QB, eso if he gets reliable play from a greatly improved OL in front of him. Kudos to the big guys for a great rushing day and allowing a rookie QB time to make some plays.
Now about those turnovers. I wouldn't give the offense such high grades because ball security is part of the job, and those TOs were the difference between the close L and what should have been a really dominating win. Damn, we absolutely should be 3-0.
Thanks for the nice article, and I'd like to add a little different perspective.
First, "moral victories" are for teams who have sucked. We have sucked, and therefore, I view the obvious improvement as a nice moral victory which gives us some hope for the future.
Second, I believe Griffin has more upside. He is obviously a baller and can stretch a defense vertically and horizontally. DTR can only stretch a defense horizontally. DTR is great at running the ball, makes good reads in the option game, and can throw a decent short pass to the flats, for swing passes, or for screens. However, he can't hit a receiver downfield who isn't wide open. Any time a receiver is even half covered downfield we all cringe - and for good reason; even Wayne Cook admitted there were another four to six passes by DTR in the first two games that could have been picked!!! Four to six on top of the turnovers he already committed! I'm no expert, but it seems obvious Griffin gives us the better chance to win long-term.
Honestly? Yeah probably. I've been of the opinion that Oregon isn't as good as national media would like you to believe, since they have more guys sitting out than others (and also because Mario Cristobal isn't a very good coach).
That said, the biggest difference between this week and last week is that UCLA had a boatload of turnovers while Oregon State had none. And when you're pulling an upset, you usually need great turnover luck. Oregon State ended this game +3 in the turnover margin, and even recovered a fumble. When Oregon has better rate stats in general in this game (better YPP and YPC especially), the whole thing comes off as general college football rivalry game shenanigans.
Stop trying to make me feel better about this team! Sarcasm aside, UCLA could have beat Oregon and didn't. These are exactly the kind of games they need to be considered a 'good' team. I enjoyed you analytical approach, it did seem unbiased and just looked at the evidence so thank you for that.
Great article.
I agree with your assessment of the QB situation. However, if DTR struggles in the first half I’d like to see Griffin get a couple drives.
I was really impressed with Griffin's command and fundamentals. There was a play near the end of the game when he looked for a couple reads downfield, found nothing, then looked to his outlet to the right and could clearly see an Oregon defender closing in on him. He stepped into his throw to the outlet, and in doing so took a big shot in the ribs, but he completed the pass to keep the late drive alive. It was a little thing, but even after 3 years I'm sure DTR would have retreated from the onrushing defender and maybe he misses the easy dump off.
I was really worried about our lack of depth at QB but Griffin looks like a very acceptable backup and a guy who can develop into a really effective QB, eso if he gets reliable play from a greatly improved OL in front of him. Kudos to the big guys for a great rushing day and allowing a rookie QB time to make some plays.
Now about those turnovers. I wouldn't give the offense such high grades because ball security is part of the job, and those TOs were the difference between the close L and what should have been a really dominating win. Damn, we absolutely should be 3-0.
Nice work as always, DD.
Thanks for the nice article, and I'd like to add a little different perspective.
First, "moral victories" are for teams who have sucked. We have sucked, and therefore, I view the obvious improvement as a nice moral victory which gives us some hope for the future.
Second, I believe Griffin has more upside. He is obviously a baller and can stretch a defense vertically and horizontally. DTR can only stretch a defense horizontally. DTR is great at running the ball, makes good reads in the option game, and can throw a decent short pass to the flats, for swing passes, or for screens. However, he can't hit a receiver downfield who isn't wide open. Any time a receiver is even half covered downfield we all cringe - and for good reason; even Wayne Cook admitted there were another four to six passes by DTR in the first two games that could have been picked!!! Four to six on top of the turnovers he already committed! I'm no expert, but it seems obvious Griffin gives us the better chance to win long-term.
Good football teams don't have a turnover differential of -7, so no UCLA is not becoming a good football team. They're mediocre at best this season.
Does this assessment still hold after seeing Oregon State beat Oregon? Maybe Oregon wasn’t as good as we thought...
Honestly? Yeah probably. I've been of the opinion that Oregon isn't as good as national media would like you to believe, since they have more guys sitting out than others (and also because Mario Cristobal isn't a very good coach).
That said, the biggest difference between this week and last week is that UCLA had a boatload of turnovers while Oregon State had none. And when you're pulling an upset, you usually need great turnover luck. Oregon State ended this game +3 in the turnover margin, and even recovered a fumble. When Oregon has better rate stats in general in this game (better YPP and YPC especially), the whole thing comes off as general college football rivalry game shenanigans.
Stop trying to make me feel better about this team! Sarcasm aside, UCLA could have beat Oregon and didn't. These are exactly the kind of games they need to be considered a 'good' team. I enjoyed you analytical approach, it did seem unbiased and just looked at the evidence so thank you for that.
Dimitri really does a nails job putting together this intelligent, unbiased, and evidence based piece every week.
I trust that he melts into an irrational myopic homer like myself at all other times.