There are hallmarks of great teams that aren’t difficult to notice. First of all, if you ever stand next to them on the field, it’s hard not to notice how different the elite teams look physically. I remember being on the field before the College Football Playoff National Championship between Alabama and Georgia at Lucas Oil Stadium and being amazed by the players I saw on both teams. Compared to what I had seen at other games, everybody in uniform on that field (OK, everybody aside from Bryce Young ) looked like they were from a different planet.
But while body types, speed, athleticism and strength are all key components of great teams, there’s another intangible aspect that I think sometimes separates certain teams when they reach the top. There’s a ruthlessness that’s evident. There are no games off, quarters off or even plays. Some teams show up determined to grind you into dust from the opening kick to the final whistle.
It’s a ruthlessness I see in Oregon right now…