Oregon Ducks Coaching Staff Needs a Briefer in Decision Making

The Oregon Ducks, 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Pac-10, will most likely fall out of the Top 25 once the votes are counted. In the two losses Oregon has suffered this season, a common denominator has revealed itself: Poor decision making by the coaching staff. For example, in the first few drives in the Boise State loss, Oregon's defense was not giving up any field position to the Broncos. Then, out of nowhere, defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti decided to switch to a prevent defense. This proved disastrous for the Ducks, as it soon led to many Bronco scoring drives. Of course, not all of that loss can be blamed on Aliotti himself. On the defensive side of the ball, Oregon's secondary did not live up to its set expectations, as players were getting sucked into the backfield on play-action fakes, making mediocre receivers look like All-Americans. On the offensive side of the ball, Oregon did not fare much better. When starting QB Jeremiah Masoli took a blatant late hit, he was knocked out of ... (link)