Head coach Chip Kelly went on the Dan Patrick Show Monday morning to talk about the team’s win over Cal last Saturday, and one thing that stood out in the call was that Kelly wasn’t surprised about how well the Ducks did. He said in the five-minute interview that Oregon’s week of preparation leading up to the game was so outstanding, the 42-3 explosion was the expected outcome.
If that’s the case, then expect the Ducks to put up some big numbers this week as well. Oregon has looked sharp all week in practice, and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli looked almost perfect in practice on Wednesday, completing 90 percent of his passes. Kelly attributed part of this to practicing in the Moshofsky Center, where the indoor atmosphere makes it easier for the team to pump up the volume.
“This is a good environment for us,” Kelly said. “Some reason when we come inside we jack it up noise wise and it’s pretty positive for us… It’s all about creating the best environment to practice in and if that’s the case we’ll stay in here.”
As for the improvement of the team, Kelly singled out the wide receivers on Wednesday as the group he’s been the most impressed with. A week earlier, the media had been talking about the stagnant passing game, but after Masoli and the air attack performed more like last year’s team, Kelly says that he’s happy with the tone the group of guys has set.
 
The defining play for the group came in the first half of the Cal game when LaMichael James fumbled after getting hit. A Golden Bear picked up the ball and started to make his way up field, only to be hit by Jeff Maehl and D.J. Davis, which forced another fumble. Lavasier Tuinei then scrambled on his hands and knees and recovered the loose ball.
“They’re working extremely hard,” Kelly said. “Maehl has done a great job and has really taken to being an outside receiver for us. And Tuinei, I’ve been really impressed with everything he’s done. When you get those three guys on the field, they’ve improved the most than any three receivers we’ve had in a long time.”
 
But don’t mention anything about the Washington State game being a “trap game” for Oregon. As bad as the Cougars have been in recent years, they played an inspired game last week against USC in Los Angeles.
“They’re a spread team, they throw the football and if the quarterback gets hot or we give up big plays, the whole world can change for us in one game,” secondary coach John Neal said. “So I expect them to throw the football, run play action and boots and we’ll see if we’re up to the challenge again.”
 
Neal said that the team has had their own problems in consistency, and although they’re 3-0 since losing to Boise State a month ago, there are still a lot of areas where the team could improve.
 
“We don’t overlook anyone because I don’t know how good we are,” Neal said. “We’ve played poorly, we’ve played good, we’ve played average. The development of consistency is key for any team. We have to get better.”
 
But perhaps the biggest factor for Saturday isn’t even the teams. It could be the fact that it’s supposed to rain and there’s a chance of scattered thunderstorms. With the wet weather, the Ducks might have tone down the newly found passing game in exchange for more rushes on the ground.
“The weather is always a concern,” Kelly said. “No matter who you are. You could be Texas Tech and if it’s raining it will affect your passing game. When teams struggle passing, a lot of the time it’s because it’s raining. But both teams have to play in it.”
 
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