In the early weeks of the 2024 NFL season, Kirk Herbstreit has noted a decline in quality of play, attributing it partly to starters not participating in preseason games, resulting in a lack of rhythm and execution during regular season games. He compared this situation to baseball, where pitchers are often more prepared than hitters at the start of the season. Meanwhile, the Oregon Ducks, currently 2-0, have struggled to secure victories against weaker opponents, prompting criticism from Herbstreit about their lack of fight compared to last season. He emphasized that the Ducks should not be distracted by preseason hype and must focus on improving their gameplay ahead of tougher competition. Herbstreit specifically mentioned the impact of last year's quarterback Bo Nix and the need for current players to step up. As the Ducks prepare for their upcoming rivalry game, they face pressure to elevate their performance to be considered serious playoff contenders.