I look at 2013 as a learning year. Helfrich learned that he can't be just a popular coach but he has to be a disciplinarian too. Frost hopefully learned to put DAT "if he comes back" into a real tazr position and get him the ball in space next year. Hopefully the whole Duck program will be a bit more honest on injuries when a guy like Marcus has a partially torn MCL, not to play it down and kill his Heisman campaign but rather play into it and make him look like a warrior out there week in an out.
Our defense didn't underperform, they were put into the wrong defensive packages to be successful for the talent they had or for that matter the inexperience they showed. Clearly MSU showed us the way last night against Stanford and for that matter so did USC and even Utah. Stack the box and "NO" bringing up a LB on the line isn't stacking the box. Bringing in two lineman who play D LINE is, and using our vastly skilled secondary man on man would have put us in the national championship in my opinion. It was a coaching issue and thankfully that will now be corrected!
I would also say that 2013 may have lit the fire needed for the Ducks to win it all next year! They know now that just showing up wont do it! Marcus and Grasu being back will be huge!. We have a monster recruiting class being developed and Tyner is about to take over. Some of our younger players like Prevot and the Robinsons will be ready to go next year along with a slew of redshirted freshman who will be chomping at the bit for playing time.
The next few months will be interesting, the new DC hire will say a lot about where this program is headed, and finishing strong with recruiting is paramount!
I'd give this year a solid B+, with losing a coach like Chip, to avoiding an ass kicking NCAA sanction, playing five games with a QB and DAT who couldn't run, to losing Colt for drugs and finishing up with a bowl win in a recruiting rich state like Texas, all major hurdles!
Next year I think the Ducks will be super focused and they'll have to be right out of the gates with MSU coming to town.
Go Ducks!