I didn't read all the posts since the game and the ones that I did read I mostly just scanned through them. I remember reading some discussions about the off-side penalty near the end of the game but I don't remember where those posts are now, so I am sorry to start a new thread on this topic.
I recall some discussions about whether Coach Chesney should have declined the penalty to maximize the time to run off the clock. I think someone also thought that the offside may have been a ploy by Dan Lanning to save the clock. During his question and answer session with the media after the game, Dan Lanning specifically addressed the situation. He wanted his players to do something trying to get our linemen to move. If unsuccessful, he wanted the offside penalty to deny us an extra play.
If you recall the situation, it was immediately after the 2-minute warning and Oregon had 2 timeouts left. We were facing 2nd-and-1 at our 44 yard line. We should be able to get the first down fairly easily. If we declined the penalty, we would have at least 4 plays to run the clock and then punt. Assuming we took the full 40 seconds on the two non-timeout plays and a conservative 5 seconds to run each play, that would let us run at least 105 seconds(1:45) off the clock. Oregon would have no more than 15 seconds remaining when they get the ball back on their end of the field. It would be nearly impossible for them to win the game under that scenario.
In the actual game, Dan Lanning's scheme saved them an extra 40 seconds. They got the ball back with 0:48 left which gave them a decent shot at getting to the field goal range. Whether you like Dan Lanning or not, you have to respect his mind.