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Very good points. I guess for a guy raising a family he must look at everything included. Guaranteed salary, resources, recruiting capabilities, how much freedom to build and retain staff. One of the reasons I didn't put Oklahoma State on this list is due to many of those issues. Luke Fickell had it made at Cincy, he was able to use his Ohio roots to bring in kids. He is on the hot seat at Wisconsin because he has been trying to be what Wisconsin wants him to be. It's just not a fit imo. Same thing with Scott Frost at Nebraska. He said he felt pressured to go there and tried to please everyone. Mark Helfrich tried to do things and match what Chip Kelly did. The pressure to keep Oregon at that level ultimately was too much. There are places you can win National Titles at. If you have a coach that you know can't do that , it's obvious he's not going to succeed. At Kentucky you can win right games and be great, that gets you fired at Florida. Lane Kiffin knows the ceiling is higher at Florida than Ole Miss. The leash is also much shorter, but he wants the prestige. What is the happy medium at Arkansas? Houston Nutt had some fun teams. Bobby Petrino got them to a Sugar Bowl. Can you win a title at Arkansas?

Depends on the outcome, the environment doesn’t seem as tough when you win. Hard to quantify what makes something tough, but we have no shortage of appearances in some of the toughest venues. That being said of the most cited top-10 toughest places to play (which includes Beaver stadium) we’ve actually only played at Ohio Stadium and Autzen to date. So Beaver stadium should be in the running. Two not listed in most lists that are very tough when the teams are good IMO are Martin and Husky stadium.

Fusky Stadium isnt exactly friendly to the Ducks.

This week, OBD will face a harrowing task going into white out conditions at Beaver Stadium for a prime time, Top 5 battle with Penn St. This venue should not be underestimated in a way that Ohio St. appeared to have underestimated Autzen last year. The question I have is whether this Saturday will be the toughest road environment the Ducks have ever played in? I think it could be. There is bound to be some recency bias, but here are some potential previous candidates and reasons why I don't think they reach the level of this Saturday: 1) Anything prior to the 1990's - were the Ducks ever good enough to command the attention of a frothing fanbase like a Top 5 battle warrants? Did fans froth prior to 1990's like they do today? (Just kidding - I know they did). Also, I'm looking for good Duck teams where it was clear the venue affected their play and they weren't just overmatched. 2) Any Pac-8/10/12 venue. I have to be careful here, because if I discount Pac-12 venues, it throws some shade on Autzen as well. We all know smaller stadiums can still affect games in significant ways. There have been some wildly difficult conference road games like Washington (2023), Arizona (2009, 2013), Utah (every night game), Arizona St. (every night game), Cal or USC in early 2000's, or Washington St. (2018). But do any of them rise to the level of Beaver Stadium this Saturday? 3) Michigan (2007, 2024) and Tennessee (2010) - these are two of the largest venues the Ducks have played in, but the games ended up being uncompetitive and it turned out the teams were going in different directions. 4) Nebraska (2016), Michigan St. (2015), Boise St. (2009), Oklahoma (2004) - All tough road losses. 5) "Neutral" Site Games - Auburn in the natty (2010-2011), LSU (2011), Auburn (2019), Ohio St. in the natty (2014-2015), Georgia (2022) all proved to be virtual road environments, but not quite at the level of playing in Death Valley or Athens. 6) Ohio St. (2021) - We all have to admit that Ohio St. fans were not quite awake for this game. We came in under the RADAR, took the crowd out early and earned an awesome road win. Are there any other candidates for the toughest Duck road environment ever?

Top 25 Week 5 Games - USC has played and defeated Michigan State - No. 21 USC at No. 23 Illinois - Saturday 9 AM Fox - ESPN.comAP Week 4 poll reaction: What's next for each Top 25 teamA look at the new Top 25 after Week 4.

OBD under Lanning tends to play to the opponent's level. I am sure they will step up in the next 2 games. The bye after PSU is perfect before taking on IU. Go Ducks!

An Epic Week 5 is Coming! Unfortunately, Indiana at Iowa, 12:30 PM, gets the Bird. 🤔 ESPN.comWhat's changed since preseason for Texas, Clemson and the...Four weeks in, there's no real favorite to win it all or take home the Heisman. Here's what we think we know.

We know that different teams would want Stein to be their HC. What we don't know is what Stein wants. Before DL came to Oregon, he definitely wanted to be a HC. He even had his notebook of hot young coaches that he wanted to recruit to join him. One of the things that he said when he got here is that he didn't want to take just any head coaching job. He wanted to go someplace where he could win a national championship. He didn't want a stepping stone. He wanted a destination. He wanted a place where he could settle down and raise his family. He didn't want to be moving them around every few years. His actions over the last 3+ years have proven that this was his intent. DL stated that he was willing to stay at Georgia until this type of job opened up for him. Then the Oregon job came open. I wouldn't be surprised if DL called up Oregon and told them he wanted to apply for the job. Dillingham wanted to eventually be the HC at ASU. That is why he left after only one year at Oregon. If it wasn't for the fact that ASU came calling three years ago, Dillingham might still be a Duck. Back to Stein. What does he want? Does he want to take just any P4 job? or does he want to go where there is enough support, or at least the possibility of drumming up enough support, for competing at the highest level? What I'm saying is that Stein might want to stay at Oregon until the right job opens up, not just any job. He has a pretty good job now. Maybe he wants to slip on a championship ring before he leaves. That would get him some really good job offers... and it might not be a very long wait. So, I am not going to worry or even think about Stein leaving until it happens. Rumors will always fly. I don't need to get caught up in them. When/If Stein leaves, I trust DL will find an adequate replacement, hopefully someone who will also be as successful leading the QB room.

An ESPN Week 4 Top 25 - How the QBs are playing heading into Week 5 - OBD is ranked No. 3 No team in Week 4 was hosed over more than Auburn. The OK fumble returned by the Tigers for a TD should not have been overturned. As the SEC HQ admitted, the 'hideout TD' with a player pretending to leave the field, staying in bounds and participating in the TD play, should have been overturned for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. A 14-point swing in a game Oklahoma won 24-17. This week, Auburn gets to play closer to home at Texas A&M! 🤬 Somebody has to win the Red River Rivalry, right?😧Archie's over-the-top celebration of a TD against Sam Houston State was uncalled for. Not ranked, but Cal and Sag sagged on the road at San Diego State. SDS 34 - Tarnished Bears 0. ESPN.comPower Rankings: How has each Top 25 team's quarterback lo...After a month of college football in the books, how is each team's quarterback situation looking?

You can probably go back three years and find the same criticism I make of the Ducks in the early season all those years... lack of consistency in running the ball and being a bit too pass happy. We might end up seeing the rotation settle down a bit because of the need of consistency but at the same time I don't know how that would even look. Who do you take carries away from? Limar is coming along nicely but he's not there yet. Hughes has loads of potential but isn't there yet. Harris has shown flashes. And there is no way that the freshman duo of Hill and Davidson can be denied the field both are electric in their roles. Now add Whittington coming back at some point soon. And I know I left a name or two off this list.

Arkansas footbal has been a graveyard for head coaches the last 25 years.

Indiana is probably pretty good, but I take this as more of a statement about Illinois. Illinois was supposedly good last year and they left zero impression against us as we did our standard 35-3 at the half handling of inferior teams. No legitimate team should get boat raced by a fringe playoff team like they just did.

One tough assignment for Will Stein is feeding the running backs. Many good backs with the threat of who stays and who leaves. I think that is why we are seeing so much rotation but can it continue for the Penn State game?

The title says it all. We are making the trek east and will be in State College Friday-Sunday. Anyone know if any Oregon gatherings or tailgates?

I wouldn't go to VA Tech right now. They simply don't have the resources to compete in a portal/NIL world. Arkansas does and I seriously doubt any SEC school would other than UK would neglect football for basketball. That could be a great landing place if he does leave UO. Hopefully one more year before that happens, but I think when you hire great assistants, especially offensive and defensive coordinators, you have to be ready to lose them to head coaching jobs. There are certainly a number of great young OCs out there who would love to be at Oregon next year.

Interesting points Landon Tengwall is making to take notice to when talking about Oregon. Two key matchups Oregon must solve to win the White Out game against Penn State Autzen ZooTwo key matchups Oregon must solve to win the White Out g...Football is a game of matchups.

Oregon breeds great play callers. Dillingham and Stein are just two of the recent great ones. Like Dillingham, there is a great chance Stein gets a P4 job this off-season. The openings thus far are UCLA and Virginia Tech. There will be more, possibly Arkansas, Florida, and Kentucky. As Oregon fans, which opening concerns you or makes the most sense for him? I think UCLA and Virginia Tech have major internal issues. Kentucky is allocating about 70 percent of their budget to basketball. Virginia Tech is bottom six in ACC NIL right now. UCLA has an apathetic fanbases in LA where there are about a hundred other things the people care about before they think about UCLA. That leaves Arkansas and Florida. I would prefer Stein over Lane Kiffin, but there's a high chance Kiffin gets the job. He's got an explosive offense and we love offense at Florida. We love big personality and brashness. Kiffin has the second, I think he's a jerk without any of the likeable assets Spurrier had. Which leads us to Arkansas. I really don't have an opinion about them. I know they began investing in basketball, so my question is can they support both sports?

David good article, thank you! Many components will go into and towards a victory against PSU and patience on offense is one of them. Deep throws are a must to stretch the defense so as to open up the playbook for the offense. However, Dante could make it easier by completing those wide open potential TD passes. A little air under a couple of those passes and a number of Duck receivers are dancing in the end zone. Consider this as an uneducated thoight from an ancient gray beard: All of the Ducks skilled position 1's and 2's have Sunday football potential. Does PSU have enough talent to defend against that? We will find out..... Composure will be important! Minimize mistakes, execute the game plan and take the crowd out of it. tOSU and Michigan have gone into the Nittany Lions den and been victorious. This may be the most talented and deep Duck team ever. This Saturday they will get there chance! Go Ducks........

DSC Inside Read: 3-2-1 Look back at OSU and ahead to Penn State Duck Sports CentralDSC Inside Read: 3-2-1 Look back at OSU and ahead to Penn...Oregon Ducks football, Dan Lanning, Oregon recruiting, college football, NIL, Big Ten, Pac-12, Scott Reed, Duck Sports Central, recruiting news

ESPN's FPI for the rest of the season. Ducks chances from 48.1 to 48.9 at PSU, drop from 82.4 to 68.2 vs Indiana. ESPN FPI increases Oregon Ducks' win probability vs. Penn State Ducks not worried about Penn St's extra prep. "Coach Lanning's gonna make sure we get the amount of preparation that we need for this game." Oregon not concerned about Penn State's extra prep for key matchup

Dan Lanning could land No. 1 DL Jalen Brewster in stunning 2027 class recruiting move The Oregon Ducks are already working ahead on the 2027 recruiting cycle, and head coach Dan Lanning may be closing in on a major piece. Five-star defensive lineman Jalen Brewster, one of the most coveted prospects in the class, has locked in Oct. 4 as his commitment date. According to the On3, Brewster holds the No. 8 overall spot nationally, is rated as the top defensive lineman, and sits at No. 3 among players from Texas. His final list of schools includes Oregon, Ohio State, Texas Tech, Indiana, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and LSU. Dan Lanning could land No. 1 DL Jalen Brewster in stunnin...Five-star DL Jalen Brewster sets Oct. 4 commitment date. Can Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks beat out Big Ten powers to land the No. 1 defensive lineman?

Great take David. Another thought provoking article. We are now a third of the way through the season and even with a BIG game under the belt, it's felt more like a series of fun but low intensity Spring Games. It seems to me that the coaching staff has been more managing the games and just getting through them than attempting to dominate them and make statements. A couple passes to Moore here a few more to Sadiq there, hand off to running back A, then B, then C and on down the line, get a four score lead and call it a day. It feels like we've just been taking the Ferrari out to run a few errands and I think that has been by design. I think Lanning has been load managing his team right up to this game. I would expect the offensive game plan to look much different come Saturday with our marquee playmakers becoming much more of the focus. Dierre Hill has just gotten a couple touches a game and is averaging around ten yards a carry. I'm expecting to see much more play calling attention going towards these playmakers Saturday and I'm also looking forward to the creativity Coach Stein will bring to the play calling. Saturday should be a great game. I'm way over hyped for it. Can't wait!

The Ducks are 4-0 but far from perfect, and the warm-up games are over. Penn State is coming up Saturday. The Nittany Lions are going to be the first real test for the Ducks this season, and the Ducks the first competitive team Penn State will face. For the Ducks’ Offense to find success against a top B1G team, they ... To Become an Elite Offense the Ducks Must Learn Patience

I much prefer coaches to give the backups reps in one-sided games as opposed to running up scores for whatever reason. Game reps are super important for player development and a coach never knows when those backups may have to be thrust into action to (hopefully) keep a team headed toward its seasonal goals.