jrw

So, I have a dumb question: how does NIL actually work on the ground? Can a collective simply give a player money and say, "there you go"? Or does the player's name, image or likeness have to appear somewhere? Like Quinn Ewers in the Dr. Pepper spot. Are there any rules, and who made them? In other words, does a player have to do something for the money, and if so, what? Anyone know?

It's the lack of coaching-ality at Miami that changed his mind.

MSN WWW.MSN.COM

I don't even know who the ladies and gentlemen of the committee are. And, I am light-years away from being a credible college football analyst. That said, I think it's clear that the committee has a thankless and virtually unsolvable problem on its hands with this season. Aside from a certain team out west, this season is all about chaos, forehead-smacking results, and maybe some kind of parity. The portal, NIL, conference realignment, even the 12-team playoff have produced seismic changes and upset the college football apple cart like never before. It's a brave, and (to me, anyway) welcome, new world that some programs, like that of a certain team out west, are dynamic enough to chart a path through. But, it leaves the playoff committee in the position of pissing off a record number of people, no matter what they do. Strength of record, strength of schedule, won-lost records, eyeball test? Sure. But, the end result will be endless debates about who got in and who was left out. I mean, who would you pick, and why? The committee can't win with a season like this one. And maybe in seasons to come if this is the new normal. Yay, parity. The only thing that will raise my ire will be if they lard the meaty playoffs roster with an extra helping of fat from the SEC. Good luck, committee.

Winning begets winning.

Warms my heart. I think we may see some of that in the next Duck vs. Them.

I’m struck by how little sports talk blather the Ducks generate. Ranked #1 most of the season, with little discussion about them, really. Maybe because the team and the program are operating like a fine watch: no noise, no mistakes, no drama, always on time. Even ESPN noticed this: “The No. 1 team in the country may also be the least interesting at this point. Oregon won again Saturday, 49-21 against Washington, to finish the regular season at 12-0. Yawn. Since their dramatic 32-31 win over Ohio State on Oct. 12, the Ducks have basically been the work-from-home guy who was told he had to start going into the office again. They show up, swipe their badge, grab a coffee, say hello to Denise in accounts receivable, Dillon Gabriel throws a couple touchdowns, then they're home in time for "The View." Me, I’ll take this kind of boring.

Book ‘em, Dano!

I learned a new word...thanks for that!

Lies, damned lies, and statistics. Attributed to Mark Twain.

Can’t wait for the Ducks vs. Them episode on this game.

And, he looked good. Great touch on his passes.

Did I see a Q3 TD?

Did Ryan Day shop at Goodwill for that sport coat?

National program.

And don't underestimate the power of the potential trick play in the minds of opposing coaches and players even if one isn't called. Leave them slightly nervous all the time.

Meh. Nothing but speculation. Would Ewers still be in Dr. Pepper spots if he became a Duck?

Well, he does have a 4.0 GPA as a psychology major and was named an Academic All-American, so he's certainly book smart.

Dennis Dodd is full of it. Just click bait stuff. If we're going to have a 12-team playoff, then you try to get the best of that season's 12 teams into it and see what happens. You don't decide that most of those 12 really aren't very good (Compared to what? Says who?) and decide to have a 4-team playoff, because of parity or mediocrity. Would the NCAA decide some season that - say - only 27 men's basketball teams were any good, and cut down the tournament field from 64? No. People love it when things like University of Maryland, Baltimore County beating Virginia happen in the tournament. It's why there are post-season tournaments.

Shooting all the background/establishing shots for the upcoming Ducks vs. Them release...wouldn't want to give the theme away.

"visored grifter", "dime store Chip Kelly"...well played, sir!

I see a real football team in them there Hoosiers.

I plan to ignore it.

How long before the SEC and ESPN decide that they’re just going to have their own league, and no longer mingle with the peasants?

No. 1 recruit Bryce Underwood flips to Michigan from LSU - ESPN WWW.ESPN.COM Quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 ESPN 300, who is from Belleville...