HDuck

"Dream on St. Nick" Nick Saban co-owns nine dealerships as part of Dream Motor Group. These include seven Mercedes-Benz dealerships, one Ferrari dealership, and one Infiniti dealership, located in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas. Headquarters Hoover, Alabama. He claims that he is pretty hands off on the business, and lets his partner run it. As a control freak that he is, I can't imagine. But, it may have helped in his primary recruiting territory: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas...:)

"My question is what happens to the level of Nike involvement,..." Penn State and Tennessee are switching to Adidas joining Texas Tech, Nebraska, Kansas, Louisville, NC State, Mississippi State, Washington and Grambling State. To me, that means less competition for a relationship with Nike. If Nike is still interested in college branding, there will be fewer schools to consider. Oregon will be on a shorter list.

couple comments 1) Getting into the Big Ten WAS a big deal. PK well understood that and was doing what he could, and WAS rebuffed a bit, to try to offer that Pac12 off ramp to the Ducks. It is a big deal, not only for annual funding, but ongoing public consciousness and publicity. Being in the B1G may be bigger long-term than facilities? 2) All schools have big donors, some are just bigger than others. Jerry Jones, Arkansas; Mark Cuban, Indiana; Red Combs, Texas; Boone Pickens, Oklahoma State....just to name a small few. But, they generally were/are interested in funding capital projects that will be assets for many years after they are gone. Some make donations for a facility maintenance fund to ensure their longevity. The goalposts have moved a bit due to inflationary operating costs and NIL, but the positive positioning from capital projects is still important. 3) Will there potentially be a step-back without Knight? Aside from being a major donor, he has a presence within team activities that still resonates. Think about how many recruits post photos with Knight if they can get close enough to him to do so. He is Nike. But, he is also Yoda for Oregon's Star Wars facilities. Once he is gone, I don't see someone that fills that spot. (Matthew McConaughey, Will Ferrell, Shaq, Larry the Cable Guy??...come-on, not even close)

I read elsewhere that Lanning said Hughes was in for run play calls, then QB Moore checked out of the run play to a pass play due to defensive alignment. Perhaps that makes sense if Montana State was aligning on defense for a run once they saw Hughes substitute in. The Ducks had 39 rush attempts for 253 yds, 25 pass attempts (19 completions) for 253 yds. Don't have the down and distance prior to Whittington's 10 rush attempts, or Hughes 1 attempt.

One of the sports books: + 300 – Tommy Rees + 400 – Glenn Schumann + 500 – Lane Kiffin + 700 – Kenny Dillingham + 800 – Deion Sanders + 1200 – Jimbo Fisher Other familiar names, not limited to, but were high odds including +4000 Dan Lanning, Ryan Day +5000 Kirby Smart, Dabo Swinney, Sark

The dollar amounts come from the same source. The writers who cover who is sleeping with whom in Hollywood. The most attractive starlets get the most pub and the highest level of conjecture about how they are able to get the juiciest movie roles. The actresses left on the roadside blame the "system" and everyone but themselves. Roadside coaches deflect and pass along rumors of "offers" in the same way.

By the way, that On3 column posted by NJDuck is a good perspective to read. Who would replace DeBoer? Winning coaches include Dabo Swinney, Brian Kelly, Ryan Day, Kirby Smart, Marcus Freeman, Lane Kiffin, James Franklin, Dan Lanning. Would any of those guys jump? Especially with a big money offer? IF, the money issues could be worked out....I can see Cristobal jumping. Sark?

Writer Ralph Russo No. 21 Alabama’s latest stumble dropped the Crimson Tide out of the top 20 for the first time in 17 years. The Crimson Tide stayed in the rankings at No. 21 despite their first opening-game loss in 24 seasons and extended their streak of poll appearances to 280, the second longest in history behind Nebraska’s 348 from 1981 to 2002. Still, Alabama reached a new low under second-year Kalen DeBoer. Alabama was last unranked at the end of the 2007 season, Nick Saban’s first with the Tide. Alabama began the next season 24th, blew out Clemson in its 2008 opener to jump to No. 13 and stayed in the top 20 for the next 16 years. Even during last season’s inconsistencies, Alabama was never ranked lower than 17th. Alabama was one of four top-10 teams to lose to start the season, but the only one to an unranked opponent. Bama lost to an unranked team for the fourth time in 14 games under Saban’s replacement. Optimism for Alabama started up front. The Tide brought back enough talent and experience to make a case for having both the best offensive and defensive line in the nation. But the Seminoles, after yet another portal-heavy rebuild by coach Mike Norvell, ran all over Alabama and stuffed the Tide’s running game. Coming into this season, the Tide ranked second behind Georgia in 247Sports’ talent composite rankings, which measures the recruiting stars that make up a team’s roster. Since the website started doing the talent composite in 2015, only two teams ranked in the top two have won fewer than 10 games. Last year’s Alabama team went 9-4. Me...will be interesting to watch Alabama's season. Often during Sabin's tenure opponents were mentally defeated before they hit the field. If some of those SEC opponents now sense blood in the water, the confidence boost may make for some interesting games. And, if DeBoer is lured into some dumb decisions by a "hot seat mentality" then that could add to it. The away game schedule is manageable: Georgia, Missouri, S. Carolina, Auburn. Home games: Vanderbilt, Tennesse, LSU and Oklahoma.

Hughes single carry came in the Ducks first possession of the third quarter. Oregon was leading 38-6. None of us know if Hughes was offered an opportunity to be a "feature back" prior to his transfer. But, from a season planning perspective, seeing so many guys get reps (78 participated I believe) and get some game experience does have value. A lot of RBs touched the ball. Which I would rather see in a game like this one that being on the field with in-experience in a tight game due to sudden injuries of "feature backs." It may also add value in recruiting to have so many guys get reps.

Miami O-line 6-9, 340 6-2, 275 6-3, 295 6-6, 350 6-6, 315 Notre Dame is having problems with that.

The official box score lists 78 Oregon players who participated for at least one play. Home games do not include participation restrictions due to travel squad size. 78 is a very high number, even in a blowout game. Very high. For example, last season's close home game with Boise State had 53 Ducks on the field, which in itself is high for a close game. Whomever the assistant(s) that keeps track of that for coaches, credit is deserved for the logistics of all that during a live action game. And, to the individual players for keeping their heads in the game and being ready instead of joking around on the sideline.

"...new metric would not have been added unless it helped the SEC and ESPN.." The SEC would not have announced they were going to 9 conference games in the near future without it.

Nebraska's "slide" started with the final implementation of scholarship reductions in the mid-1990's. 1997 was their last National Championship. (And, coincides with the rise of programs like Oregon) In earlier years, it was estimated they had as many as 150 on scholarship. Then, they shifted to a very active "walk-on" program as schollie reductions took hold. Kids were still interested in walking on due to then recent Nebraska history. As the W-L records waned, and recruiting became more national with other programs vying for players Nebraska had attracted, the Huskers began losing some built in advantages. Good players who previously were walk-on decisions, started being offered scholarships elsewhere. Their only 10-win season in the Big Ten is 2012. They were 10-4 in their second B1G season. There is more than just Texas and Oklahoma to worry about now. But, the REAL reason they have fallen is God's Punishment. In the 2001 season they were awarded the BCS national championship slot instead of Oregon, and were crushed by Miami in the Rose Bowl. They have been .500 or less in 11 of the 24 seasons since. 4 times with 10 wins.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/interactive/2025/best-college-football-towns/ I've been to several of these locations, though not always on a gameday. Being there when it isn't a game day may be a better test of "college town" rankings? The biggest letdown for me was South Bend. It was established in 1835 and there are areas that look original - laugh. Some pretty rough areas especially after decline in local industries in the late 1990's. Some say the best thing about South Bend is that it is 95 miles to Chicago and 145 miles to Indianapolis. Not sure about that. But, of those options in that Washington Post column I would put it last.

Remember Jim Leavitt, Oregon D-coordinator? News about him today in another post in this forum. I recall his wife didn't want to move to Eugene and that created some issues during his tenure at Oregon.

Hugh Freeze once coached his team while laying in a hospital bed that had been placed in the coaches box.

https://www.fox13news.com/news/former-usf-football-coach-jim-leavitt-accused-hitting-ex-girlfriend-stealing-louis-vuitton-handbags.amp

Several head coaches have been in the press box during games including Notre Dame's Lou Holtz. Joe Paterno. There are others. Though, not sure if Cristobal is the first to do it without being there as a result of some illness or injury. Cristobal can always say he never lost to Notre Dame as head coach on the field. The game Sunday evening is at Miami. ND leads the series 18-8-1. But, is 6-7-1 in Miami.

"....nation is going to come to an understanding of how challenging the Pac-12 really was" Every time I read one of "those" columns (looking at your Canzano) about how college football will revert to regional divisions (to include OSU/WSU) I think what impact that would have. It would mean, once again, the West would be an afterthought. Poor publicity. Poor kickoff times, etc. It is a fantasy to think there would be equal divisions across the nation.

"I'm pretty sure you'll see Seattle awarded a team in the next 5-10 years." If they do get a franchise, it will have nothing to do with a black eye over Sonics departure, or nation-wide fan interest. The only factor will be the NBA brass believing Seattle Metro is large enough, in comparison to other potential cities at that time, to support a team. And, some billionaire with enough dough to buy a franchise.

ESPN thinks that there could be some regression this season due to the influx of new talent and the lack of returning production. The Ducks return just four total starters from that 2024 team and will rely on a long list of young and unproven players to lead the way. "The Ducks are 115th in returning production, 125th on offense. We'll find out just how healthy Dan Lanning's program is this season with that amount of turnover," Connelly writes. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/espn-projects-significant-regression-for-oregon-ducks-in-2025/ar-AA1KxcOT https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-returning-production-for-2025-season-list-of-starters-coming-back-for-every-power-four-team/

"It would be a huge black eye on the league if they did to Portland what they did to Seattle." The NBA already has several facial bruises and doesn't seem to mind. It might upset folks in Portland and Seattle, but I seriously doubt the NBA fan base elsewhere would care. The Sonics left Seattle in 2008 and there hasn't been a groundswell across the NBA fanbase to replace them.

New WR coach Ross Douglas replaced Junior Adams (to Cowboys) in the off-season. Sometimes coaching changes and the toil of off-season workouts and Fall camp take a toll on younger guys. We'll see how it shakes out.

Daily EmeraldFormer five-star Jurrion Dickey reportedly suspended from...Sources close to the team have told The Daily Emerald that wide receiver and former five-star recruit Jurrion Dickey is no longer with the team, but according to Max Torres of On3, this is only int...

I think it is a little early to be picking "rivalries." The Ducks don't have a us vs them record of significance against most of these teams. Rivalries tend to develop as a result of events that piss off one or both sides. Did several games in a row come down to the last 5 minutes? Did one coach diss the fans of the other? Were their controversial calls by the refs? Is the series dominated by home wins vs road wins? Were the games a major factor in determining bowl assignment? And, so on, and, so on. Iowa? The last game was in 1994. Both the 1989 and 1994 games featured Iowa teams that were weak in those seasons. Iowa already has rivalries which include trophy games and from their perspective they may not see Oregon as a budding rivalry. Their historical rivals are Minnesota (especially) and Wisconsin. Though the Big Ten has pushed a third trophy game (Nebraska) as a rival. Iowa has more "protected rivals" in annual scheduling than any other Big Ten team. Plus, they play Iowa State annually in non-conference. I think more time and games have to pass before there is a pairing other than UO vs UW for rivalry status.