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I would imagine before the season starts the staff will find at least 4 capable backups.

It also means injuries are going to be more impactful, conditioning is going to matter more and wearing down the defense running the ball in the 4th quarter is going to be a thing again.

This is very true and also puts even more focus on x's and o's from the coaches than ever before.

Thanks to everyone for the compliments, and Charles, thank you again for a terrific editing job. Three titles in a row would be B1G. I want to hear those drums, Fernando. And when you see Mario's face again, please punch it in, Fernando. 😁

Tosh Lupoi leaving is a contributor as is a bunch of "were expected to go to the NFL but didn't" guys. The 2nd stringers don't want to wait another year to be 1st string that they weren't planning on. Here's the thing about NIL. It's just like the job market. That one company out there that really needs to hire someone is always willing to pay more than the current employer. These 2nd stringers leaving the Oregon and Ohio States of the world will be much better compensated as the main person of need on a team in the top 10-20. We are witnessing in real time the dilution of talent from the top couple of teams redistributing to the remainder of playoff contenders. The greater the playoff field size the more spread out the talent will be as more NIL Boosters see they ROI of being able to make the playoff field with a chance to win it all. No more NFL caliber talent sitting 3rd string on the bench at Bama. Those days are over and it's for the better of the sport.

Apologies if this is covered in another thread. Is there a systemic issue here with the Oregon D-Line? We've lost the vast majority of all backups, I realize the portal affects all teams and these guys want playing time, but I find it hard to believe Oregon isn't willing to try to retain them with NIL/etc, and is there a systemic issue here where they are all fed up with the starters coming back and then all collectively walked? isn't it 7 maybe 8 who have left? Seems extreme especially for those that are freshmen, showing promise and are still learning. Thoughts?

And Shelstad has been out for most of the losing streak as well....

Oh Jon....your articles are so informative and so much fun! The Penn State HC reference cracked me up... "Ummmmm, you also had Little Game James returning at the Head Coach position." 😝 We love your thoughts in articles and in the forum!

Jon, you rank right up there with the other giants of sports prose, Yogi Berra and Bob Uecker Great take on the impeccable insight and wisdom that the football pundit gods display when ranking teams early. How long would they hold a job with that accuracy rate if they were pilots, surgeons, nuclear physicists or the person who cuts your hair? I know this is all unbridled sarcasm, and I never would have predicted Indiana at #1, a Heisman for Mendoza or Mariø in the title match-up. But I don't earn my living at it. Then again, who doesn't want to see Paaawwll F. with steam coming out his jug ears as his can't lose SEC misses another NC game. The bloviators far, far too early 2026 rankings have Oregon at #5 and DM 6th or 7th in the Heisman odds. Please, please keep them there as it sounds about right for a bit of facial egg on the pundits come next fall. Keep 'em coming, Jon!

I read yesterday somewhere that Seaton is demanding $2.5 M to come on board.

They have a great shot. The Bills are very banged up, it's in Denver, and the Broncos defense is incredible. Bo hasn't made many mistakes this year and his game management should lead them to a win.

He can become the second QB ever drafted by the Broncos to win a playoff game.

Exhibit A: Brandon Finney

Not who I thought would go to Kentucky. Oregon Ducks On SIOregon Transfer Quarterback Could Join Forces With Former...Oregon quarterback signee Bryson Beaver surprised Ducks fans on Wednesday with his decision to enter the transfer portal before the start of his college career.

Seaton is visiting Mississippi State right now. His old OL coach, Phil Loadholdt is there. It’s looking like Lane and Mario are also going to make a big push for him. If Oregon loses out on him they’re still going to be in good hands according to Geoff Schwartz.

Hasn't the 2nd portal window been eliminated? Unless you're referring to the window for IU/Miami next week?

Jon, just like Brittany Spears, "Oops you did it again..." Another great article written for Our Beloved Duck Forum! Gee whiz I wish I could write as well as you. "Look at the gene pool! Me and 23 guarantee that Archie can’t fail!" Great humor and wordsmithing Jon! Thanks!

When I look out my window, Many teams to see. And when I look out my window, So many teams champs could be. That it’s strange, so strange… Must be The Season of The Which (1966 – Donovan – kind of) Those who had Miami, somnolent since 2001, versus Indiana, somnolent since 1887, playing for a championship on Monday night, ... The Season of The Which...

We need to get Seaton so bad. We'll be totally set on offense if we do. LB is gonna be a big weakness unless we can tamper, I mean convince some great ones to enter the 2nd portal window. DL has serious depth issues. The entire 2nd string left. Gone. Not sure how replace it, but if we don't, we'll get worn down and see big drop offs when the starters need a break.

It's amazing fans still haven't learned: if you build it, they will come. The more playoff spots the more competitive teams there are, the more the talent spreads out. NIL and the ROI is the mechanism that enables it. With the 4 team playoff only 3 teams truly had a chance to win it all. With the 12 team playoff roughly 8 truly have a shot. If you go to 16 teams, you will have 10-12 teams that could challenge for a title. if you have 24 teams you'll eventually get 15 teams that could challenge for a title any given year. Would that be exciting? Why do we have a top 25 to be ranked, to be relevant? Let's make it 24 and align it with the playoffs. It'll be great for the sport.

Remember when Masoli was something like a no star guy and beat everyone out for the starting job? Masoli had a strong fighter vibe. Beaver does not come across with that kind of confidence. Beaver should have thought it out before joining the Ducks. If he wasn't going to come to practice for a season and compete on the practice field, he should have committed elsewhere. Oregon has turned into a top 5 kind of program recently. They were there for a while under Chip Kelly and now they are back to that level. Oregon should be getting 5 star QBs to play for them. They just recently got three of them through the portal.

Things keep getting worse. Bittle in a boot and rolling one of those scooters now.

If the Playoff was at 16 teams this year--the SEC would have picked up even more teams in it, and the B1G would have had NO additional teams. You are depending on the Playoff Committee to NOT favor the SEC, and to give the Big-10 a fair shake?

https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2026/01/14/oregon-football-portal-targets-update-2026/88161363007/ Some names to keep an eye on.

As Chip Kelly once said....Every man thinks he can... "Light a charcoal fire without lighter fluid." "Drive to a distant location without GPS or directions." "Coach a football team."