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This is an unlocked article from the Wall Street Journal. It appears to be locked but it is not. https://www.wsj.com/sports/football/indiana-alabama-rose-bowl-d0bcbe34?st=wbD9oq&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

I saw someone that predicted Leavitt to Kentucky (who knows how likely that is) but Coach Stein needs to find the best possible QB, whether he is on the Kentucky roster or in the transfer portal.

And the B12 dropped another one last night. SMU 24 - No. 17 Arizona 19 Prior to the semifinals, here's a detailed breakdown of bowl performance game by game for every conference. https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2025-01-02/track-which-conferences-are-winning-2025-26-college-football-bowl-season Monday, January 5th, our friends and first game foe Montana State play Illinois State in the FCS champ game. 7:30/4:30 ESPN ESPN's Bill Connelly's analysis of this matchup. ESPN.comFCS national championship preview: Illinois State, Montan...Will the Bobcats break through or can the Redbirds cap their amazing run in style?

I think the tell on Austin N will be whether Stein picks him up for Kentucky. He can’t do it yet as it would be a clear conflict of interest, and that line is already being stretched for both Will and Tosh. As far as Dante goes, my money is on him starting another year with OBD. He may wait to “announce” he’s staying till after the next game, playing by Lanning’s Book of Poker - The Story of Less is Moore.

Whether its Will Stein or not someone has helped Dante since the IU game. With Dante's hard work and someones teaching he has improved considerably. He has been looking over the defense, calling audibles, reading his progressions and for the most part throwing to the open man. The pressure IU put on Dante was brutal and quick. He was not prepared. Against TT tech the pressure was constant yet Dante stayed calm and made good decisions. Only bad snaps and untimely holding penalties kept Oregon from running up the score. More reps and Dante will just sharpen his skills. I just don't see Oregon having a QB development problem. Bo Nix came to Oregon broken from the SEC and Auburn fan base. WS adjusted some of his sets to accomodate Bo's skill set. You don't go 48-7 over 4 seasons with a QB development problem. TT has a QB development problem? Go Ducks. Let's make DL's record 49-7.

This subject is already being discussed in this thread: https://forum.fishduck.com/topic/18035-does-college-football-have-a-qb-developmental-problem/

FWIW, but I kinda agree... Maybe part of the issue is Will Stein, who seems unable to adapt the game plan to Moore's skills. Maybe OBD should try Air Raid against Indiana? Dante Moore’s game hints that football has a QB developmental problem

Indiana is not invincibleAutzen ZooIndiana is not invincibleCurt Cignetti's 14-0 Hoosier squad is the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. They're disciplined, well-coached and masters of complementary football.

That and coaching. I still believe that Coach Lanning and company were outcoached the first game by a much more experienced Indiana coaching staff.

College football has a player patience and loyalty problem, not a QB developmental problem. How many top high school QBs are wiling to sit a year or two to learn the system and be coached? That was the expectation for most QBs since the start of college football. Now they want millions in NIL out of high school and the opportunity to start immediately. Also, who’s to say you can’t develop a transfer QB, regardless of the experience? The Oregon Ducks, under Coach Lanning and company, takes transfer QBs (of all experience levels) and develops them into more polished NFL ready QBs. Bo Nix had talent but was not surrounded by the best players and system at Auburn. He had a tendency to play hero ball and, as a consequence, turned the ball over a lot (he also made some spectacular plays). At Oregon, he was reconnected with his first OC and learned to read defenses, make adjustments, get rid of the ball quickly and take what the defense gives you. He is now doing really well in the NFL for a Super Bowl contender. Dante Moore was thrown to the wolves at UCLA and, like Nix, was not surrounded by the talent he has at Oregon. He sat out a year and is a completely different player this season. He is cool and calm and a really good game manager. Dante has the best arm talent at Oregon since Herbert and can make Aaron Rodgers type of throws. I believe that he needs to continue to learn how to read defenses (pre- and post-snap changes), see the field better and take a few more shots down the field when there are opportunities and the situation calls for it, without putting the ball at risk. He should avoid running unless there is wide open space in front of him or it’s a critical down and there are no other options. Oregon will continue to recruit high school QBs and hopes one turns into a diamond in the rough (perhaps there is already one on the roster) but will not hesitate to turn to the transfer portal if they don’t believe the next QB up is ready to lead Oregon to a national championship (that should be the team’s goal every season given the talent on the roster). I doubt they will sign the high 5 star recruits, as the price is too high (it’s not worth the risk/reward) and chances are you can get that same player in a couple of years, if you still want them.

CBS Sports has an early look at portal winners and losers. EARLY is the word. Makhi may be back in town, but not in Eugene. https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-transfer-portal-day-1-winners-losers-2026/

Experience is the only thing that counters raw talent. Let's hope that our roster has enough experience to overcome their experience now.

This is a chart of the Indiana two-deep. Note the number of redshirt Juniors and Seniors. They are playing with a LOT of guys who are in their fourth or fifth year. https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/indiana/90728

Here's an excellent look at the semifinals from Saturdays Down South, Connor O'Gara. Note- Broyles finalists, Indiana DC Bryant Haines, and Miami DC Corey Heatherman, both worked for Curt Cignetti at JMU. Mario's hire of Hetherman from Minnesota was one of this season's best. I've dumped on Cristobal, whose game management is still suspect, but he has stopped micro-managing and is giving his coordinators more leeway. Somehow, someway, Trinidad Chambliss must be related to Houdini. Saturday Down SouthEarly thoughts on 2 improbable College Football Playoff s...With an extremely unique field left, the College Football Playoff semifinals are loaded with intriguing storylines.

I don’t think you are giving Texas Tech’s defense enough credit. That might be the best front 7 in college football this season, with future high NFL draft picks scattered throughout. Oregon could have scored more but to say we should have put up that many points? I personally believe that Oregon OL is a bit overrated and they struggle with more talented/athletic defensive lineman.

“It just means more (when we win)” only applies when they win turkey shoots. Those are now meaningless bowl games against their JV teams.

Yes, but unfortunately an SEC team with a pulse rates a rating.

Yes, I think playing TT was a great warm-up as their front 7 is as good as there is. Just go to the doctor this week and clean up what ails. Also, if the DTs are making headways like TT, then Dante needs a less deep pocket and stay under the end rushes.

Just to throw it into the mix. Now that Austin N. is in the portal, he is listed as the 36th best QB in the portal (just a couple days in mind you) give or take. Not sure how exact of a science that is, but that would seem to, at best, place him as a backup at a P2 after 3 years of development at a premiere P2. Is that a developmental problem, or a problem with the HS rating system creating false expectations with fans? Incidentally, there are currently at least 3 (and should increase to 4) QBs that started at least one game for Beavis in their career, that are rated ahead of Austin in the portal.

I finally had an opportunity to rewatch the second half and below are my observations: Oregon's defense was obviously dominant. The telecast said it was Oregon's first bowl shutout since the early 1900's Rose Bowl against Penn (1917?). Someone on a podcast said that there are 8+ dudes on Oregon's starting defense who will likely be playing on Sundays and that to win a national championship, we might need to rely on our defense and have our offense manage the game/avoid mistakes. This is the complete opposite of what we've done in past national championship games but is what Coach Lanning has been building towards since he got to Oregon. Dante Moore managed the game well and avoided mistakes (note: the interception was on 4th down and we would have turned the ball over anyway - perhaps he could have shown more patience). He needs to improve his field vision, as he is missing seeing open receivers down the field (e.g., Sadiq had two steps on the defender on a post route on 4th down and it would have been a TD, if Dante could have hit him but for some reason he hesitated/didn't see him). I'm not sure what was up with Oregon's play calling, especially in the second half. Why continue to try to pound the ball between the tackles, when Texas Tech was consistently stopping us for 2 yards? Why continue to call designed QB runs when the first two were stuffed, putting Dante at risk? I would bet that 80% of Oregon's running yards against Texas Tech were to the outside. You have to maintain some balance/threat to run up the middle (perhaps a draw?) but it seemed like we went to inside runs too frequently. I also don't understand why Coach Stein doesn't have WR bubble screen counters or is willing to move the pocket, especially when Dante throws very well on the move. A former Oregon OC (Helfrich?) would fake the bubble screen, with a QB pump fake, and then have the WR run a go route, when defenders were playing aggressive against the play. Not Coach Stein's best game and I hope he gets dialed in before the next game, like Tosh did in the Orange Bowl (as Oregon will need all 3 phases firing against Indiana to win). I understand that Coach Lanning wants to be aggressive but I did not understand the decision to go for it on 4th down at midfield. I believe that Oregon was up 13-0, at the time, and it was clear that: (a) Oregon's defense was dominating Texas Tech's offense and (b) Texas Tech's defense was more than capable of stopping Oregon's offense on a short yardage situation as they had multiple times in the game. In that situation, we should have punted the ball and tried to pin Texas Tech's offense deep in their territory. People will point to "advanced statistics" but those stats are against all teams/defenses, not against a top 10 defense with one, if not the best front sevens in college football who stopped you multiple times in that game already. Brandon Finney, Jr. is an elite cornerback and he is a true freshman. The second interception was an NFL cornerback type of play - recognizing that the receiver that you are covering is not the primary receiver, handing him off to another defender in the area and then dropping back to make a jumping interception in the end zone on someone else's responsibility who was beat - outstanding! Finney also came up in run support and stuffed a RB for a short gain. He is going to be a first round NFL selection and the best corner to have ever played at Oregon. Can you imaging how good he will be in 2 years if Brandon continues to work?! With Ohio State and Georgia loosing this playoff feels wide open. I know that Indiana has an incredible team and Oregon will need to play it's A game but if they can get by the Hoosiers...

Patrick Mahomes Pays Up On Oregon vs. Texas Tech Orange Bowl BetThough he's currently on the sidelines due to an ACL injury, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes seemingly made a bet with Oregon Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa before the Orange Bowl. Oregon Ducks On SIPatrick Mahomes Pays Up On Oregon vs. Texas Tech Orange B...With the first postseason shutout for the No. 5 Oregon Ducks since 1917, coach Dan Lanning and crew took down the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders at the Capital OnPatrick Mahomes Wears The Oregon Duck Finest After Losing Bet to Bassa.

In the Orange Bowl, I think we saw a snapshot of what the plan will be with Indiana. Now, I am not saying that TT was a squad DL used for practice, but it was a great way to see a game plan against a very good defense. There were not many long shots taken against TT. There were shorter, quicker passes that provided 5-10 yards and allowed OBD to control the game. The FGs from the TTu game have to be TDs against Indiana, but the shorter, quicker throws will be how OBD beats Indiana. We simply have too many elite weapons for them to cover thoroughly. Dante completed passes to 11 different folks. That will need to continue. Finally, IF the OL can play at peak, OBD will win this game. It isn't just about about keeping Dante clean, although it starts there. Penalties will crush a drive against Indiana. Holding calls and false starts need to be absent. It's gonna be a good one!

They're not done, but the Ducks are playing on house money in the CFPAutzen ZooThey're not done, but the Ducks are playing on house mone...Think back a moment to August and the expectations Duck fans had then.

Both teams are now better versions of themselves when compared to the October version. In common opponents (PSU, Iowa and Whisky) the outcomes were hard fought wins. IU beat PSU on an amazing game winning drive and OBD's last minute game winning drive against Iowa was amazing. Both Defense are outstanding and can be dominant. IU's offense is more consistent than OBD's. However, strong Defenses (Iowa and tOSU) held IU 's offense in check. Both teams had a chance to win against IU The Duck D is for real and capable of holding IU's offense under 20 points. The question remains; can the Duck O stop shooting themselves in the foot with penalties and mistakes. OBD's offense kept TT in this game thru 3 quarters. Ducks should have scored 35-42 points against TT. At times the best defense on the field was the Duck offense. This will not work against IU. They have an offense that will make you pay for your mistakes. Keep IU offense off the field. Sustain long time consuming drives that end in TOUCHDOWNS! This should be a great game that OBD's can and should win. All 3 phases show up and play clean and Ducks win 27-24. Go Ducks!

Portal toll rises as Ducks lose 12 players ahead of Peach BowlAfter one day 12 Oregon players have entered the Transfer Portal or announced plans to enter it, a sad reality of poor planning and mismanagement by the NCAA. Autzen ZooPortal toll rises as Ducks lose 12 players ahead of Peach...After one day 12 Oregon players have entered the Transfer Portal or announced plans to enter it, a sad reality of poor planning and mismanagement by the NCAA.