The Ducks have won 10 or more games in six consecutive seasons, so Oregon players and coaches have come to expect greatness. Running back De’Anthony Thomas and wide receiver Josh Huff both said this season that the national championship was their ultimate goal, and after practice on Saturday, running back Byron Marshall said his team must try to be perfect.
“I mean, 10 wins by any means is not a bad season at all but we needed those extra two wins just to get to where we wanted to go,” Marshall said.
Tight ends and special teams coach Tom Osborne looks at the situation slightly differently. He’s baffled that fans are disappointed with Oregon’s 10-2 record and an Alamo Bowl appearance (Oregon’s first non-BCS bowl since 2008).
“The expectation of perfection is completely way out of control,” Osborne said. “It’s just mind-boggling to me.”
Osborne remembers when fans got excited for eight-win seasons. In this elite era of Oregon football, even Oregon’s 2012 season – a 12-1 record, a BCS bowl win and a No. 2 final national ranking – are viewed by some as falling short.
“I’ve got people telling me, ‘That’s too bad, maybe next year,’” Osborne said. “And I’m like, ‘What? We just won 12 games. We lost one game in overtime by a field goal. That’s it.’”
Osborne said striving for perfection isn’t a bad thing, and he and other coaches constantly try to obtain it. But he said that goal is too lofty.
“I want my kids to get straight A’s and 100 percent on every test,” Osborne said. “I don’t know if anyone’s ever done that before.”
When asked if Ducks fans have been spoiled by the recent dominance, Osborne said, “You kidding me? No question.”
Right now, Osborne is solely focused on winning the last game of this season. He said losing the national championship in 2010 stung the program for a long time, so tasting victory to end 2013 is crucial going into the next season.
“It doesn’t matter what year or what game,” Osborne said. “When you win the last game, when you win the bowl game, everybody in the program feels better about themselves. That kind of springboards us into the offseason.
Head coach Mark Helfrich also stressed the importance of beating Texas to finish the season strong. 10-2 might not be exactly what the Ducks wanted, but their fate has already been sealed. They’re in the Alamo Bowl, facing what Helfrich said is a tough Texas team.
“They’re a huge challenge and there’s certainly not a lack of talent,” Helfrich said.
Talent is especially plentiful on defense for the Longhorns, according to Helfrich.
“They’re incredibly talented, especially up front,” Helfrich said. “They’re long, they’re fast and physical. They’ve always been.”
The Ducks will likely be heading into hostile territory, as well. San Antonio is only about 45 minutes away from Austin, where the University of Texas is located. Helfrich said Ducks fans travel well, but they can’t overcome the geographical advantage Texas fans have.
“Naturally, it will be a partisan crowd,” Helfrich said.
One reporter asked Helfrich after Saturday’s practice if he has any concerns about his team being motivated for a non-BCS bowl game. It’s been five years since they’ve been in such a game, after all. But Helfrich said there are plenty of reasons why the Ducks should be thrilled to play Texas on Dec. 30.
“There are so many things to play for,” Helfrich said. “You get to play another game. This will be the last game of a bunch of guys’ careers. It’s the last game of this team’s existence. Ending with a win always makes for a much better off-season.”
Follow Victor Flores on Twitter @vflores415