[GK3]

If we want to get better we have to get better at defense first.  Give up 9 of 11 4th down tries to Oregon says a lot about the defense.  In contrast we went something like 4 for 13.  Last year we gave up more points over 12 games than any year going back to Walt's last year.  As good as our offense might be, we absolutely have to play better defense, or the QB  has to have the game of his life every game and the offensive play calling has to improve markedly.  I agree that out play calling could be better but if you give up nearly 35 points a game you are going to lose a lot more than you win.  We also had the ball something like 4 minutes more than Oregon.  Defense is what wins games, plain and simple.

Yes, that's of course true.  But you need to recruit better/more highly ranked players than you are - and you need to cover the position groups well.  Shaw has not been doing that well, completely aside from "coaching them up."  But on O, he has the horses (and unfortunately, he has the Denny's Menu, too).  And that's why I (and perhaps others) focus on the failings of the offense - even while recognizing that the D needs to be shored up more than the O.  Plus, the D is not a week-to-week fix; it's more structural.  The O should not be the problem it is under Shaw.

I agree the offense was part of the problem against Oregon, but without Mills playing the whole game we will not know how important his absence was.  It is clear that the defense is the biggest problem.  You can't have the ball for 4 more minutes than the other team and give up more yards overall, more yards per play, and 9 of 11 1st down tries and expect to win.  The fact we could not kick a field goal, ran stupid plays at the goal line etc does have an impact, but going forward we cannot win if we play defense as badly as we are playing it.
Personally I think this whole season is a stupid idea.  After one game we already have injuries we can ill afford.  Some may mean the players hurt will never return to their original level. Exactly what is the benefit of  a 6 game season with no one the stadiums?

[GK3]

If we want to get better we have to get better at defense first.  Give up 9 of 11 4th down tries to Oregon says a lot about the defense.  In contrast we went something like 4 for 13.  Last year we gave up more points over 12 games than any year going back to Walt's last year.  As good as our offense might be, we absolutely have to play better defense, or the QB  has to have the game of his life every game and the offensive play calling has to improve markedly.  I agree that out play calling could be better but if you give up nearly 35 points a game you are going to lose a lot more than you win.  We also had the ball something like 4 minutes more than Oregon.  Defense is what wins games, plain and simple.

Yes, that's of course true.  But you need to recruit better/more highly ranked players than you are - and you need to cover the position groups well.  Shaw has not been doing that well, completely aside from "coaching them up."  But on O, he has the horses (and unfortunately, he has the Denny's Menu, too).  And that's why I (and perhaps others) focus on the failings of the offense - even while recognizing that the D needs to be shored up more than the O.  Plus, the D is not a week-to-week fix; it's more structural.  The O should not be the problem it is under Shaw.

I agree the offense was part of the problem against Oregon, but without Mills playing the whole game we will not know how important his absence was.  It is clear that the defense is the biggest problem.  You can't have the ball for 4 more minutes than the other team and give up more yards overall, more yards per play, and 9 of 11 1st down tries and expect to win.  The fact we could not kick a field goal, ran stupid plays at the goal line etc does have an impact, but going forward we cannot win if we play defense as badly as we are playing it.
Personally I think this whole season is a stupid idea.  After one game we already have injuries we can ill afford.  Some may mean the players hurt will never return to their original level. Exactly what is the benefit of  a 6 game season with no one the stadiums?