It's plausible to think Oregon fell victim to a USC hangover, struggling to find their identity early in the game versus the hated Huskies. But you have to give Washington some credit too. They came out fired up and gave Oregon official notice that as the # 1 ranked team, the Ducks will get everybody's best shot the rest of the way.
A career first start in raucous for Keith Price in place of the injured Jake Locker allowed many to think this game would be a blow-out from the start.
Lost in that assumption is the fact that more teams are recruiting quarterbacks like Keith Price - who can operate an offense and be a threat both running and passing.
The day of the dominant pro style quarterback is over. Oregon recruited Price and what they saw on Saturday is that he is going to be a pretty good quarterback. Oregon put a lot of pressure on him and Keith's answer was to return to middle school, lunch time football game tactics. Scramble, wriggle, reverse field, and generally give the pass rushers a nightmare of a day. Though ineffective on 3rd downs, going 2-16, the Huskies didn't turn the ball over either by fumble or interception, denying Oregon the opportunity for easy points.
And the Ducks were in a particularly generous mood with a flurry of 10 penalties for 107 yards that nullified a boatload of yardage and opportunity. They also fumbled four times - losing two - the most damaging being Thomas' fumble at the 13:28 mark of the 3rd quarter leading to a one play 18-yard touchdown pass by Price that pulled Washington within five, 18-13.
At that point the game began to look a lot like Oregon's version of Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone" - that perfect scenario where top teams succumb in a trap game and ruin dreams of the Rose Bowls and more.
It was a short stay in that alternate realm. Josh Huff ripped through the middle of the Husky coverage for a 79-yard return to the Husky 6, then Jeffrey Maehl completed the one play drive with a catch in the end zone, starting the Ducks on their way to their 53-16 triumph.
Oregon's next drive stalls at the Husky nine when the most significant play of the day takes place on the field goal attempt. The snap squirts through Nate Costa's hands and in the ensuing scramble, he tumbles out of bounds holding his right knee. As he is helped off the field, he takes a few steps with assistance and then removes all weight from the right leg.
As all Oregon fans are aware, Nate has been a great player for Oregon, though limited by his previous 3 major knee surgeries. Injuries have hampered his opportunities but not his leadership and team spirit.
After losing the starting job to Darron Thomas in fall camp, the fifth year senior provided a valuable, trusted backup quarterback for the long season ahead.
Early blowouts gave Costa the opportunity to stay game sharp and it paid off when Thomas was injured at Washington State. The Ducks didn't miss a beat as Costa completed 13 of his 15 pass attempts, one of the misfires a Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half.
With Costa's career ended, Oregon has an interesting dilemma about who will be the back-up now. Do they go to Daryle Hawkins, who started the season as a quarterback but has most recently used as a wideout and running back? Or does Oregon turn to true freshman Bryan Bennett, and burn what they hoped would be a redshirt this year?
Kelly quickly indicated it would be Bennett - but only if Thomas is injured. Playing impressively in practice this fall, and coming from a high school offense that is very similar to the Duck's spread, the freshman allows Oregon to keep more of the playbook intact.
With the Ducks three wins removed from their first National Championship appearance it would be throwing the kid into the really deep end of the pool no question but Oregon does have a bye week after the Cal game. If Thomas can stay out of harms way this week the coaching staff will have 3 weeks to give Bennett reps.
As the Huskies defense showed, teams are now stacking the box against the run and are admitting, "we are not going to let LaMichael James beat us". That's the reason Darron Thomas has been so effective running the ball against Washington, USC, and especially Stanford. But that's a risk the Ducks may want to limit over the next three games.
Will the Ducks start to use a two running back set? Oregon has been successful using this attack and maybe we see Remene Alston and Josh Huff sharing the dive portion of the triple option with James and Kenjon Barner sharing the pitch man. This would help limit Thomas exposure to contact in the running game. I expect Oregon to use more short passes, including the bubble screens and outs to limit his exposure to pass protection breakdowns.
If Oregon does go to the two back set, it opens up the tight end for more short passes. On the initial fake to the dive back, the linebackers have to stay home and protect against the run. Once they determine the dive back hasn't received the ball, they must be prepared to help on the pitch back. This gives the tight end the opportunity to get that extra step and be open for the quick hook, good for 5-7 yards at a clip. Oregon can also incorporate two tight ends in this set for additional blocking for the run and a second option for the short pass.
If there's anything we can be sure of, it's that Chip Kelly and his staff will be creative.
Oregon @ California
Though the Ducks have had some tough times in Strawberry Canyon, this is not a good Cal team and they are breaking in a new quarterback after Kevin Riley's injury.
The Ducks take advantage of Cal's weaknesses and come back to Eugene 10-0 for the first time ever. It's Ducks 48, Bears 13. | 
