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I lament the loss of the Pac-12 but once the LA schools announced their move to the B1G, the hand writing was on the wall. The Pac-12 had a horrible media deal on the table when the LA schools were expected to the part of the league. With them gone, the deal would have gotten worse. And there are no other "western" schools that could have been added to make up for the loss of the LA market. Once the four SW schools left, the "Pac-6" would have struggled to add enough other strong schools to remain a power conference. IMO, staying in the Pac-6 was not an option and the notion that Oregon could thrive as an independent was wishful thinking. I quickly moved to #4 and then #7.

And the Bruins were also eliminated. Not a good day for baked beans and cod. Come on Celtics! And Go you softball diamond Ducks!

The return of EA Sports CFB game is receiving coverage equivalent to alien spacecraft visiting Earth; the curing of cancer; and Oregon winning the CFB and CBB titles in the same season (without having to share the booty with the Pac-2.) We used to go outside to play football. Now the big deal is to stay inside and play a game. Inquiring Greybeard minds, at least what's left of the mind, want to know why THIS is such a huge deal. Pardon me. I have to take a nap.

Interesting connection. But i don't think a Lanning hired Samples for this particular connection but because of his overall track record as a coach and a recruiter. Oregon is geographically isolated in terms of talent. There are only one or two players that are worth a scholarship offer out of the state in any year. There are two to three walk on candidates. Oregon has historically struggled to break into Washington for recruitment but the tides have turned under Lanning in that regard but still there aren't enough prospects to fill a roster that can compete for a national championship from Oregon and Washington. Not are there enough if you throw in California as well. For the Ducks to be successful they need to grab players out of Texas and the South. Under Lanning he has had a very holistic approach to recruiting where the whole staff works on recruiting players and not just position coaches. I think that is a bigger aspect of Lanning's secret weapon. Leverage his best recruiters while also making players feel they have deep relationships with the whole staff.

In a big surprise...Oregon will be playing WSU on the Pac-12 Network at noon today! The stakes are high, because we have a real shot at being second in the conference. The game in Tucson is for the conference championship between the Beavers and Wildcats, and I believe OSU gets it done. If so, that could put Oregon at second place if we win today as well. Why is it important? Because Coach Waz says that nearly every time--the second place Pac-12 team hosts a regional NCAA tournament game, and that is a very big deal. C'mon Ducks! Get it done!

Oregon being in on No. 1 players...is just mind-boggling for us veteran Duck fans. Whew!

Great coaches recruit excellent talent. Interesting article pointing out a connection which just might pays some nice dividends! Top Receiver Prospect Decommits From LSU: Oregon’s Secret Weapon Revealed FANRECAP.COM Oregon football's chances for the nation's No. 1 wide receiver prospect in 2025 just increased. Dakorien Moore decommitted from LSU and has a connection to Oregon running backs coach...

These teams should dominate early when EA Sports' "College Football 25" finally drops EA Sports College Football 25: Georgia, Ohio State lead projected top-10 teams ahead of video game's release - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM These teams should dominate early when EA Sports' "College Football 25" finally drops

Jimbo Fisher claims ACC, Big 12 teams are becoming 'glorified junior colleges' Jimbo Fisher claims ACC, Big 12 teams are becoming 'glorified junior colleges' WWW.ON3.COM The former long-tenured coach is starting to see a clear pattern of certain schools turning into developmental hubs in college football.

Oregon Football's New Big Ten Conference Opponents: Michigan, Part 1 Michigan has been playing football since 1879, with a rich history that includes national championships, Heisman Trophy winners, and legendary coaches. The Wolverines are among the programs Oregon is joining in the Big Ten Conference. “In times of difficulty, those brave enough to stay the course will be victors in the end.” - Bo Schembechler, Michigan coach 1969-89 Oregon Football's New Big Ten Conference Opponents: Michigan, Part 1 WWW.SI.COM Michigan has been playing football since 1879, with a rich history that includes national championships, Heisman Trophy winners, and legendary coaches.

I was happy from the beginning of the move because of Oregon being a national brand and needed more of the exposure that the Pac directors weren't willing/able to give. As far as tradition goes, I could care less about any of the other schools. Since I work with SO many Beavis and their attitudes are all the same. "We deserve the money" since you left the conference! Both Beavis and Butthead fans all think that Oregon should have taken them along to the B1G because "it's only right." It's amazing how the move and Lanning and staff has already changed everyone's view of OBD and we haven't even started playing yet! Bring on the B1G show!!

A great start in the tournament for the women, and they face Oklahoma Saturday at noon, (same time the Baseball team plays) on ESPN!

Some good points for sure. Would have been nice to see what an expanded playoff could have meant for distributing the glory about 10 years ago. Unfortunately, I think the 4-team playoff created a concentration of opportunity, that resulted in about 10 teams really having a shot over a 10 year period. Ultimately, I believe there will probably be a new level of CFB that will have 2 divisions (rooted in the SEC and BIG), 48 - 64 teams in total. Those not in the top level will still play, this is just a recognition of reality, which will have them playing similar schools for championships. This will not be entirely equitable…I can’t imagine a scenario where the SEC or B1G actually kick members out. So getting into one of the big 2 before the ACC B12 “downgrade” is huge.

Because you are not in our spot. You are at the top of CFB, crunching most who dare to step on the field with you. You have the luxury of being nostalgic, having ‘Nattys, and thus can be gracious. If you existed in a conference that was almost invisible to 80% of the population, and then guaranteed to be relegated to permanent lower status forever....you would welcome the move-out, the move-up, even without immediate success. You have no idea how much I've realized the time difference has been real, and Oregon could be on the moon as far as most think in the eastern time zone. We will be top-of-mind this year, as the team we will present will be a challenge to most.

I guess I'm still a skeptic in some ways. Charles's point #1 still resonates with me. I have hated the Big-10 since I was about 10 years old (almost seven decades) and still do. For better or worse the Ducks are now in it so I will root for them to kick butt. This is do-able I feel with Lanning at the helm, but maybe not as quickly as many of you suspect. But, hey, maybe I am wrong. Charles's point 4 also strikes a cord--and that's tragic for college football IMHO. At this point, it is impossible to know what transpires over the next decade, but if the glory is distributed only among the 34 members of the Power-2, the ole game I knew and loved is badly diminished. I would sure as heck hate to see 30-40% of Div-! teams give up the expensive sport of football because they have little of any chance of hoisting the big glass trophy, and for this reason, no one much cares about football any longer. Maybe I'm overly pessimistic, but I am no where as giddy about recent events as many Duck fans seem to be.

Look how Bryce Boettcher takes on a sidewinder pitcher, and digs it out....for a three-run homer!

Wowsa. It was a pitcher's duel for most of the game as Grayson Grinsell only gave up two runs in six innings. Brock Moore had a tough outing as he gave up two more runs in the top of the eighth, and things looked bad for Our Beloved Ducks down 4-1 going into the bottom of the eighth. Then the Ducks stunned everyone with a miracle eighth inning that scored SEVEN runs, and then Logan Mercado took down the Cougar batters in the 9th...1-2-3 for the win! I will post more when the media press release is available. The throwback uniforms are so cool.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Big Eighth Inning Gives Ducks Series Win and a Top-Three Seed in Pac-12 Tournament EUGENE, Ore. — No. 20 Oregon scored seven runs in the eighth inning to overcome a deficit en route to an 8-4 win over Washington State in Pac-12 Conference action in front of 4,130 fans at PK Park on Friday night. The win clinched the series for Oregon while also guaranteeing a top-three seed in next week’s Pac-12 Conference Tournament in Scottsdale, Ariz. Oregon will either be the two seed or the three seed depending on the Saturday’s results. Either way, the Ducks will open tournament play on Wednesday. WSU (21-31, 9-20 Pac-12) took a three-run lead into the bottom of the eighth inning but Oregon was finally able to get to Cougar starter Connor Wilford in the inning. Drew Smith led off the big inning with a base hit and moved to second when Mason Neville was hit by a pitch. Jacob Walsh delivered a two-RBI double into right-center that rolled all the way to the wall allowing Smith and Neville to score, cutting the lead to one and ending Wilford’s night. Reliever Kaden Wickersham hit Jeffery Heard to put runners on first and second setting up an Anson Aroz sacrifice bunt that moved both runners into scoring position. Freshman Maddox Molony followed with a two-run hit giving Oregon the lead and sending the Cougars to the bullpen again. After Chase Meggers reached on a hit-by-pitch to put two on base, Bryce Boettcher lined a 2-2 pitch over the left-field wall to give Oregon a four-run lead. Logan Mercado came in to get the final three outs and give Oregon (36-16, 18-11 Pac-12) the win. How It Happened: Oregon stole a run in the bottom of the second to take the early lead. With runners at the corners and two outs, Oregon attempted a double steal with Meggers intentionally getting into a rundown. The Ducks’ catcher was able to avoid being tagged out long enough to allow Molony to score. Washington State took the lead with single runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. A solo home run tied the game in the fifth before back-to-back walks in the sixth led to a run on a ground-ball hit up the middle. WSU extended the lead to three in the top of the eighth with a pair or runs before Oregon answered in its half of the inning. Box Score Notes: Oregon’s sellout tied for the sixth-largest crowd in program history while also tying as the largest regular-season crowd to see a game at PK Park … Oregon clinched its eight Pac-12 Conference series of the season … Walsh (3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R) moved into third all-time on Oregon’s career RBI list, sixth on the hit list with 17 and into a tie for fourth all-time with Ryon Healy (2011-13) on the career doubles list, while also claiming sole possession of third on the career multi-RBI list and 10th on the multiple-hit list … Oregon starter Grayson Grinsell (6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 11 K) set a career high for strikeouts while matching Kevin Seitter (vs. Lafayette) for the most Ks by a Ducks’ pitcher this season … Brock Moore (4-0) picked up the win despite surrendering two runs in two innings of work. On Deck: The Ducks and Cougars will play the final Pac-12 Conference game ever at PK Park on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. The Ducks will look for their first conference sweep of the season. Quotes: Head Coach Mark Wasikowski On Jacob Walsh’s day... “Really good, you know. I mean, he was the guy that was scuffling and then got a big hit, I think it was yesterday, for three RBI, a base hit up the middle, or a double or something like that. Today he had, what I think was probably the game winning hit. When you’re middle of the order, guys are doing that good with Mason Neville setting him up, and then Drew Smith leading us off. He didn’t have an awesome offensive game, but we got an awesome at bat out of him when we needed it.” On Grayson Grinsell’s start with Scottsdale coming up... “Scottsdale is not in my mind. But Grayson’s start is, and Grayson was really good tonight. He walked those two guys I think in that one inning and one of them scored and it was disappointing. I thought that he could have gone deeper in the game, we could have left him out there, especially with a left-on-left matchup leading the next inning off. Chose not to, because he was at 92 pitches, he had thrown a very good game.” Grayson Grinsell On growing this year… “I’d say maturity. Being around all of the old guys we’ve got: Brad (Mullan), (Logan) Mercado, Brock (Moore), Kevin (Seitter), and RJ (Gordon). All of these old guys we have on the pitching staff, I’ve been watching them every day and how they go about their stuff. I’m just trying to take it all in and grow and mature.” Momentum after today’s quality start… “It definitely helps a lot to build off of. RJ (Gordon) yesterday setting the tone with a quality start as well. We’re just trying to build off it and keep it going tomorrow with Kevin (Seitter).” Bryce Boettcher On adding another PK Park memory with the homer tonight… “There’s a lot of PK Park memories in my mind, but that one is definitely up there.” On hitting the homer after getting two robbed yesterday… “It felt good to get that one over the wall. It’s a plus at-bat when you hit a ball that gets robbed, so it’s good for the team aspect in that regard. You caught a barrel and it’s unfortunate to see it not go over, but in the back of my mind, I know I’ve robbed quite a few homers in my time here. As ‘Waz’ would say, the game knows and on to the next. You just have to keep a good mindset about it.” Maddox Molony On whether confidence grows throughout the game... “Of course. Every at bat I learn from and learn from the next. By the third at-bat, it like, I know what I have to do.” On staying grounded and in the moment... “Just stick to my approach. Like I said, I was just going up there waiting for my pitch to hit and I was on, that was on my head.” Jacob Walsh On getting back into a groove at the plate... “I’m always trying to stick to my approach, tweaking things here and there when the game calls for it. But getting good pitches to hit and put good swings on balls.” On you’re development during time at Oregon... “Just know, baseball is evening itself out. You know, we get tested by the Lord every day. And, you know, being able to just keep going knowing that you’re going to end up positive on the other end is important. As far as you go down, you’re going to have a day where you go right back up, right, and always just even itself out. So just staying to that approach helps you out a lot.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If the Bastard Beavers can win tomorrow, and Our Beloved Ducks win tomorrow, starting at noon....we could finish a strong second place in the Pac-12 after being picked for fourth in the preseason.

The last visit always wins.

Never count Lanning out. Lanning and this Oregon staff are absolute pros in flying under the radar. Oregon appears as a contender for many recruits but disappears... Only to reemeege triumphant. Also Division Street doesn't get into bidding wars this early for NIL. They'll put out a fair offer and wait until December before they decide to jump into any massive bidding wars. We don't have direct proof of this but Oregon will lose out on recruits early only to make a push for them later. Lanning never stops recruiting.

Fun fact. I have a coworker who is from Michigan and B1G country. He was saying that as the University of Chicago was a founding member and left they could return if they wanted to and bump the member school that replaced them from the conference. That member school is Michigan State. It would be funny ... But Michigan State would get a speedy invite "back" to the B1G if that were to happen.

They got home and away games mixed up for the 2024 season. Don't know if other year's games are correct.

Joe Lorig on Ross James' breakout season: 'I was prouder of him than any player I've ever coached' T.CO Oregon special teams coordinator Joe Lorig raved about the growth he saw from Ross James from 2022 to his breakout season in 2023. He believes the junior is capable of taking home top...