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3-5 Penn State has to win out to go bowling. Bring the effort PSU showed against Indiana, and the Nits should win at Michigan State, home vs Nebraska in a battle of talented backup QBs, and on the road at Rutgers. How much do future PSU draft picks care about going bowling? And if PSU qualifies for a bowl, how many players, including those not eligible for the draft who are considering the portal, will suit up? Agents for Penn State players who have been in CFB for fewer than three seasons are receiving offers. 5-5 Rutgers after a Bye in Week 12, plays at Ohio State, and finishes at home vs. Penn State. If the PSU players give a spit, it's likely Good Night for the Knights' bowl hopes. More teams than OBD have backloaded B1G schedules. Iowa has lost three games by a total of ten points and is out of the PO. SC needs to drop Notre Dame and play an OOC game vs a G6 opponent at home every season. Compared to ND, SC gets nothing out of this game and does not need an extra trip East every other season. I'm OK with the return game at OK State. But considering the teams Indiana played OOC and its ranking, as well as a brutal schedule for OBD in 2027, drop the game at Baylor in 2027, and in Autzen in 2028, and play San Jose State both years instead. Oregon has nothing to gain with a win against a B12 football team and a lot to lose. Texas HS players will not choose OBD because of one game in Waco. The B1G may not have a 4th team in the PO field this season, which means millions of PO dollars less than last season.

I don’t think we are sandbagging. Responsive pacing would be closer to the truth, as in the sense of how a good boxer figures out, and then anticipates the moves of an opponent in order to defeat him with counter punches.

Tired of Canzano. The demise of the PAC12 is old news. Things change, and the future is uncertain….we get it. NIL quickly changed collegiate sports. Athletic budgets have exploded. AD’s were once relationship managers to the alumni for needed donations to fill budget gaps. Today, those budget gaps are getting bigger, and require AD’s to have a higher level of business acumen to increase revenues. Staying competitive in any business requires innovation and investment. Oregon’s rise to relevance was not accomplished overnight. Oregon has been innovative, and invested. For now, we are reaping the rewards.

There is one name that never seems to come up when it should be first to mind for any team needing a coach: Kenny Dillingham I realize he's an Arizona guy through and through, but you HAVE to at least make a run at him. He's got it all. The youth, the offensive mastermind and the record, nearly picking off Texas in the playoffs.

Glad I had my best rain gear with me. Felt a lot like November games at either Autzen or Husky Stadium through 3 quarters. The 4th dipped into new territory. Even the inebriated 18 year old Hawkeye fans in front of us were putting their shirts back on. A note on Kinnick Stadium - top flight. Hard to believe it sits 70,000 because there’s not a bad seat in the place. Great crowd - through 3 quarters my ears told me the decibel level was a cut below Autzen, but the fourth ratcheted-up to pretty close to us. Good fans!

It's an aspect of playing in the Big Ten, and preparing to play physical. 2025 season total plays/games – national rank 6-Rutgers 726 in 10 15-Indiana 694 in 10 41-Purdue 643 in 10 46-Nebraska 635 in 10 84-USC 595 in 9 98-Maryland 587 in 9 101-Oregon 583 in 9 (64.8/game) There are 11 B1G teams located between Oregon and No. 133

I'm thinking like this. Will Stein has no excuse to have any tendencies with this offense, but if there is one tendency he could get away with, it is running the ball too much, because defenses can't stop it even if they see it coming. We should not have tendencies of screens of any kind, trick plays, reverses, predictable pass only formations. It's great to have variety and use those to keep defenses honest, but that's about it.

Jericho Johnson was a great development for us against Iowa. He was the DL I was most excited about in his class based on his his film and measurables. ROC boys gave him a shout-out during their post game analysis that our run D was more stout when he was in. And he was only in for running situations, but that is crucial depth to have to make sure we don't fade late in games.

Sandbags are used to hold the water out. Hard to do when you’re playing in the rain all the time.

I certainly don't think we were sandbagging during the Iowa game; with three top receivers lost....we were fighting to win a game, IMHO.

Some interesting discussion by John Canzano and Oregon fans.... Q: Is it possible that Lanning’s team is pacing itself? Is that the secret buried in the flow of this season? A: I spoke with offensive coordinator Will Stein a few weeks ago. Something he said in our conversation stood out. Stein mentioned watching Ohio State play its best football in December and January. We talked about the art and science of that run. I wondered if UO’s plan this season was to slowly rise to meet the challenges and moments each week, but keep its cleats on the turf for when it counts. Q: Do you think the Ducks are sandbagging games to disguise, disrupt, and obfuscate future game opponent strategies? A: There’s no “sandbagging” going on. But I do think Oregon is pacing itself better this season. The substitution patterns with the defensive backs caught my eye earlier this season. You can tell UO’s coaches are playing more players, looking to distribute the snaps, and trying to build toward playing their best football in December and January. It’s what Ohio State did last season.

The play before the Iowa FG, I thought it was intentional grounding. The QB was outside the pocket, but the ball did not clear the line of scrimmage and the ball was at least 5 yards short of a WR/TE.

Coaching carousel and B1G moves that could help the depth of the conference. I think? Maryland - Mike Locksley does not win games from October on. Replace him with Jim Mora, who has done more with less at UConn, and come up with the money to keep true frosh QB Washington on board. Mora never should have been fired by UCLA. UCLA - Make sure that booster Casey Wasserman signs off on the hire and comes up as promised, with the money to give the new hire a chance to compete. Hire Dan Mullen from UNLV, a team that defeated UCLA this season, and keep Bruin forever, Jerry Neuheisel on the staff, along with QB Nico I on the team. Mullen never should have been fired by Florida. Wisconsin - With many young studs on defense, and this season's brutal schedule, I like Fickell getting another season. Michigan State - The boosters disappeared when Mel Tucker flamed out, and the trade in mortgages was hit by an increase in interest rates. But folks still eat Domino's Pizza (for some reason I don't understand), and there are other Sparty grads with money. Keep J. Smith and invest the buyout money into the program. It's hard to have success with development players today when players can earn more money to be developed, or not, elsewhere. Purdue -I believe the Boilermakers made the right hire in Barry Odom. Purdue is playing more respectable football, but with a thin roster is wearing down at season's end. To win B1G on the football field as well as on the basketball court, show Barry the money. Penn State - He certainly isn't lovable, but Brian Kelly wins football games. He was 34-14 at LSU and defeated ranked football opponents. He's won everywhere he's coached, including 113 wins in twelve seasons at Notre Dame. North of the Mason-Dixon, Kelly is a fit. USC - With recruiting finally aligned and an impressive incoming class, the Trojans should finish no worse than 8-4 this season. Riley is starting to get it as a play caller in the B1G. SC is averaging 7.1 yards a rushing attempt (2nd in CFB 😁) this season. Even with losses vs. Iowa, Oregon, and UCLA, he'll get at least one more season. Here's hoping the Trojans' run D doesn't improve before next season. UW - Fisch is fried East of the Rockies. He is not at risk of being fired, but with all of the coaching openings, will he hang in at UW long enough to build a deeper roster? I'd just as soon see him off the UW hook. Minnesota - I have no intention of letting a Gopher out of its hole come Friday night, but as long as Fleck wins seven to eight games every season, I don't see him getting a better offer to leave Minnesota, or him being fired. Rutgers - At 5-5, Rutgers is on the cusp of going bowling again. Win the 6th game, and Greg Schiano has met the standard of success. The take from Down South - Iowa never should have been ranked. Oregon lucked out Saturday night and should be ranked below every two-loss SEC team. 🤪 I am looking forward to eight SEC teams having one more loss next season and Ole Miss not playing The Citadel in November. Ground and Pound the Gophers! Light rain is predicted for Friday evening, wouldn't that be a nice change?

Also, we might not like it sometimes, but spreading out the offense and throwing screens to the outside opens up the running lanes too. This is what Chip Kelley did. He sent folks out wide to open up the middle (fewer people in the box/fewer people to block). CK's offense was a running offence primarily, but the passes outside made it easier.

If I am remembering correctly, I believe that's what they did on that play. Tuioti (44) was in the middle, behind the defensive line a couple of yards. When the QB ran to the right towards the end zone, Tuioti ran fast to intercept him, but he ran into the back of one of the Ducks on the line, (I assume because he was pushed back by the offence). Tuioti fell down and the QB scored. The defense was called just as you described.

I know the press claims our red-zone defense is worst in the country, but no one mentions we are top 3 in not allowing teams into the red-zone! The best red-zone defense is to not let them get there in the 1st place. We are definitely better then we sometimes give our guys credit for.

Where Oregon's defense and special teams rank Where Ducks' defense, special teams rank in key stats after Week 11 Offensive rankings. Where Ducks' offense ranks nationally in key stats after Week 11

ESPN/FOXSPORTS made the decision decades ago, regardless of conference leaderships. Needed to trim one of five conferences (would have preferred two but Clemsons Nattys and low-ball, ironclad, TV deal "saved" that conference) and the PAC was doomed. Never liked it. Never wanted it. But it is what it is. In our current economic models, "most" money wins! Long term consequences be d@mned cuz there will Always be Opportunity in Capitalizing on any carnage that follows. Self perpetuating cycles. OBD realizes this and acts accordingly as any successful "business" would. Go Ducks.

Forum friends, we're a member of a nationwide Mega-Conference, and we're reaping the good and the bad. Compare Oregon's conference schedule with Wisconsin's; the Badgers have a far more difficult schedule in 2025 than OBD, even without adding on a trip to Alabama. In 2027, OBD plays at Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, UCLA, and UW. Plus plays a game on the road at Baylor. The home slate: Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State, and Purdue. Brutal. The conference schedules do, for the most part, balance out over five seasons. Rutgers schedule this season compared to last season is far more difficult. Indiana will have its turn in the box. However, having Michigan and Ohio State as permanent opponents is more difficult than new power Indiana drawing Purdue. When the computers went to work in 2023, preparing schedules for an 18-team conference, did the machines know that Indiana in 2024 and 2025 would qualify for the playoffs? Compare Oklahoma's SEC schedule this season and last to Texas. The Longhorns have far easier conference schedules. Ditto Mizzou and Ole Miss compared to Florida. As to the conference intentionally trying to screw over OBD with a Friday night game after a Saturday game in the Central time zone, check out UCLA's closing schedule. Week 9, at Indiana, Bye, Week 11, Nebraska, Week 12, at Ohio State, Week 13, UW, Week 14, at USC. The conference took the money and gave up total scheduling freedom to the media entities writing the checks. These unbalanced mega-conference schedules are the primary reason I back Tony Petitti's AQ PO model, with the last week of the regular season as PO play-in week. The team that is in 2nd place in the standings plays at 1st place. The winner is the conference champ, and both are in the PO field. Third place hosts Sixth place, Fourth place hosts Fifth place. The winners are in the field; the losers are still eligible for one of two at-large spots in the 16-team field. (The third AL team will be Notre Dame.) The season ends, and the POs start a week sooner than today. As to this season, it is neither Indiana's nor OBD's fault that Penn State has not won a conference game this season. Frustrating? Heck yes. But I sure prefer this to playing Beavis and Wazzu twice in the regular season. GUM UP THE GOPHERS!

And USC hasn't played tOSU in two years. Also got both Michigan and Penn St at home in separate years.

How the heck does Indiana avoid playing: Ohio State, Michigan, USC, and Washington? And they played Old Dominion, Kennesaw State and Indiana State OOC. Pre-season CBS Sports ranked their schedule 2nd easiest in the B1G only ahead of Maryland. I understand unbalanced schedules with super conferences but come on - there has to be more balance.

All this is a capital ($$$) infusion for college athletic departments. I would be surprised if Ohio State went along with this proposal (and Oregon should not either, IMO), as one of the largest, wealthiest and most valuable brands in college football. Locking yourself into a long-term grant of rights seems to be the last thing the top brands would want to do right now given the uncertainty and evolving college football landscape. Just look no further than the top ACC programs. The teams that benefit the most are the B1G bottom dwellers. They are probably paranoid that they will be left out during the next college football realignment (as they should be) and desperately need the money. Under the proposal, there is also an uneven revenue share, which is one reason USC opposes it, as Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State would get more than they would.

Dante always respects the people who have come before him. Oregon Ducks On SIOregon Ducks' Dante Moore Shares Biggest Lesson He Learne...Dante Moore is emerging as another big-time performer in a series of great quarterbacks for the No. 9 Oregon Ducks. The signal caller’s mature decision to spend“The biggest things I learned from Dillon is just preparation and then having joy with the game of football,” Moore said. “He said when you step between the white lines and play football you got to have joy and have fun with it.”

Tez Johnson's NFL continues to shine! Oregon Ducks On SITez Johnson Is Becoming Everything NFL Scouts Doubted He'...Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson weighed in at just 154 pounds at the 2025 NFL Combine, making him the lightest participant. During the draft proc