What We Learned: Oregon vs. Arizona

Saturday, October 04, 2014

Jeffrey Martin, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Photo credit: Wikimedia commons

Marcus Mariota probably won't win the Heisman, yet his value has never been more pronounced.

Some local radio personality wondered last week what the Ducks' record would be without Mariota, the best quarterback in the country.

10-2? 9-3? 6-6?

One thing is certain - with him, UO isn't going undefeated - and it's hardly his fault. Injuries have ravaged the roster - yep, you've heard that before - and the protection has once again left him vulnerable. Offensive coordinator Scott Frost admitted to reporters following the game that Mariota, who coughed a couple of fumbles for his first turnovers of the season, was not 100 percent because of the beating he suffered in a seven-sack meltdown at Washington State...

A week and a half ago.

If the protection doesn't get better, there's no chance Mariota holds up for the duration of the season.

Even in defeat, he was still the best player on the field, although throughout the second half, it felt too often as if the weight of the game, the expectations of delivering when it mattered, was squarely on Mariota's back.

He needs help, and for some, that falls on coaching.

But the truth is..

There is SOMETHING missing.

No, this isn't an indictment of Mark Helfrich - the Internet is filled with plenty of that nonsense. The problem was explained in this space weeks ago - basically, he's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. Even when he wins, he can't win.

No, he's not Chip Kelly. News flash - there aren't many of those guys around, which is why the NFL was always pursuing him, with the Eagles finally landing him.

Kelly was smart as hell and just as cocky and/or confident, traits that might have made him difficult for sportswriters but irresistible for his players. Some call it "swagger," some swear by "juice," but there's an aura that emanates from coaches such as Kelly and permeates the team.

Look at what he's done with the Eagles.

But lacking that quality doesn't mean you can't be a great coach.

The program rose to prominence in recent years by following a very clear blueprint - deviating from a method that has paid clear dividends for the sake of placing one's unique stamp on a situation is foolish.

If Helfrich needed any proof of this, he need look no further than his counterpart last night, who failed spectacularly at Michigan.

But now, a few years later...

Rich Rodriguez has built - or worse, is building - a monster in Tucson.

There were times last night when it seemed as if a role reversal was occurring - wasn't it the visiting Wildcats who took what they wanted, who played as if there was nothing to lose? The big plays, the simple calls that kept coming until the defense proved it could provide resistance - that's what the Ducks used to do.

Go figure - Rodriguez has admitted what Oregon has done made him believe Arizona could be special in much the same way.

It's a dangerous team, seemingly playing with an edge. The Wildcats don't care about how things were in the Pac-12 - all that matters is the now.

Remember, Anu Solomon is a freshman. But it wouldn't matter - RichRod plugs and plays quarterbacks as well as anyone.

The question will be how long he sticks around the desert.

Banner Photo Credit: rayterrill via Compfight cc