The "showed them we didn't think we could compete" narrative is total nonsense. The problem is that it didn't work, period. Oregon ran a fake against Maryland? in the 1st half last year because the game was tied or close and Husky fans were all over them for having to run a fake to beat the Terps.
They did it again this year against Oregon State in the first half of a close game. If it hadn't worked was Lanning sending a message to his team that he didn't think they could win? I get that the Beev is not Buck but this is armchair echo chamber nonsense. Do you seriously think the players would demotivate because the coach faked a FG? If that's the case TSIO and Fisch should be door ass out.
Hell, Lanning did that semi onside kick thing against, checks notes, OHIO STATE last year because he KNEW they needed to win the possession battle. It worked and they won by 1 point. When it works it's "BIG BALLS LFG". When it doesn't work it's "He's sending the wrong message!". Come on. You're making shit up because you're unhappy with the result.
I'm not upset at the outcome … this was always the "likely" outcome
I'm not saying that Jedd was signaling to his team and his team quit … not saying that at all.
What I'm saying is that if you're on the Ohio State sideline you're taking that play as an indication that they don't think they can compete with you. It must have just been coincidence that they took that play and translated it into their 1st score of the game and then scored coming right out of halftime. When you're an underdog don't give the favorite any reason to wake up. That play woke them up.
Also, Ohio State knows that most teams are going to try to find a way to steal something whether it be the onside kick you noted from Oregon last year to the fake FG that we ran. They are going to be alert for that.
As for Oregon routinely doing that stuff, it's part of their DNA and what they do. How anybody isn't prepared for them doing stuff like that blows my mind.