It's been a strange season for the Oregon Ducks, as one of the best programs in the country during the 21st century has stumbled to a 3-7 record thus far, ensuring they'll end up with their first losing season since 1991.
On Saturday, they'll be looking to play the role of spoiler when they face a 12th-ranked Utah Utes team that certainly has the Rose Bowl in its sight, and even a slight glimmer of hope at a shot in the College Football Playoff.
In advance of the matchup, the Deseret News caught up with Steve Mims, who covers Oregon athletics for The Register-Guard, to discuss how fans are feeling about the Ducks' poor season, the team's play on both sides of the ball and the job security of head coach Mark Helfrich.
DN: What's the vibe among Oregon fans now that it's assured the Ducks will have a losing season?
SM: The fans are obviously not happy. Oregon got a bit spoiled when it went to four straight BCS bowl games under Chip Kelly and then the College Football Playoff two years ago under Mark Helfrich. Oregon reached the national title game twice in five years, so the bar was raised. It just became assumed that Oregon would make a bowl game every year, so not making a bowl is a major disappointment to the fan base. The Ducks will not play in a bowl for the first time since 2004. Expectations at Oregon have gone sky high to the point where last year's 9-4 seasons was considered a disappointment. Now to drop off to 3-7 has brought the coaching staff under immense criticism from the fan base.
DN: What's the team's approach to this week now that going to a bowl game is unlikely?
SM: It doesn't seem much different than most. Quite frankly, Oregon probably realized about a month ago that getting to six wins to make a bowl game would be unlikely, so I don't know that this week is any different than the past few. Even with their bowl hopes on the line, Oregon was pretty lifeless in the last two losses against USC and Stanford, so it seems unlikely there will be any more motivation this week. Oregon has not only struggled on the field, but had two players arrested in the past three weeks and dismissed from the team, so it does not seem like a team doing all it can to save its coach.
DN: What's been the assessment of Justin Herbert's play since he became the starting quarterback? What's the scouting report on the freshman?
SM: Herbert was seen as a savior of sorts for the program when he tied school records with six touchdown passes against Cal and 489 yards against Arizona State. However, facing tougher defenses the last two weeks against USC and Stanford, he has come down to earth a bit. Herbert gives the fans hope for the future that Oregon has finally found a replacement for Marcus Mariota, but it could be a tough week against Utah because their defense is much more like the teams that slowed him down than those that he was able to exploit. Herbert was an underrated local recruit who surprised many when he was named the backup to senior transfer Dakota Prukop, and then he took over when Prukop struggled as Oregon started to look to the future. He is a tall dual-threat quarterback who can run and has made some pinpoint passes, but last week he had three turnovers. He is definitely the quarterback of the future for the Ducks, but he may have a tough time against the Utes.
DN: Is there a nutshell version as to why the Ducks' defense has been so poor?
SM: The defense gave up more points than any season in school history last year, and that was with conference defensive player of the year DeForest Buckner. Take him away and there is no surprise it is even worse. Add in the fact Oregon brought in Brady Hoke as a new defensive coordinator and he switched to a 4-3 set and all the changes have been a challenge for the defense. Oregon does not have an impact player on defense and its two top playmakers are true freshmen, safety Brenden Schooler and linebacker Troy Dye.
DN: Do you have a read on Mark Helfrich's job security at this point?
SM: I think his job is in jeopardy but I doubt a decision has been made yet. Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens seems like the type who will see how the season plays out before making a decision. The season is heading south after a blowout loss at home to Stanford, and another lopsided loss to Utah would put another dent in Helfrich's chances of returning. If Oregon loses to Oregon State to end the season, that would probably seal his fate. If the Ducks could pull off an upset of Utah or at least look more competitive and then beat Oregon State, it would give Helfrich a chance to show improvement as the Ducks head into the offseason and possibly give him another year to try and get the program turned around.
Ryan McDonald is a sports reporter at DeseretNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanwmcdonald.