HDuck

Paul Finebaum just downed his third bourbon.

In pre-game, Herbstreit says he has never seen as many visiting fans in The Shoe.

video of crowd from pre-game... a bunch of orange in the stadium early....

Video of crowd from pre-game...that's a bunch of orange...

Well apparently, someone in the first quarter should have whispered in the ear of Cig and the players there are only 5 minutes left. They did beat both of last year's championship game participants: fuskies and Michigan. Pay attention Ducks, that guarantees nothing.

So, imagine you're an Indiana fan. Are you happy losing on Dec. 20 in 25 degree weather in South Bend, or would you rather have been thinking about 70 degrees in a Tampa bowl game on January 1 while knowing that your chances of advancing beyond South Bend were slim? Now imagine you are a fan of one of the teams playing in Columbus or State College on Saturday. For 3 teams tomorrow, the season is over. No warm weather site, no bowl participant goodie bag, no entertainment option. Will you be satisfied with the chance at the CFP, or have some teeny weenie regrets?

Indiana has averaged 439 yds per game this season. Tonight, with 3 min left they have 187. The record low in a Playoff game was 188 for TCU vs Georgia. Indiana will get enough more to avoid that stat.

Branch is also a heck of a punt returner. It's been awhile since the Ducks had that kind of threat. In 2023, about 20 yds per both punt and kickoff returns. In 2024, his yards per reception was 10.7.

And, he married a Duck athlete!! Jordan Wormdahl, soccer player.

Would be interesting to know which group of fans - Ohio St or Tennessee - have made the most contingent reservations for the Rose Bowl.

"Greatest college football player ever?" It may have the notoriety but I'm not sure the Heisman is the determinant anymore. It is voted on by media members and about 50 former Heisman winners. I'm now more interested in awards selected by coaches. Maxwell Award selected Jeanty, while the Walter Camp selected Hunter.

I guess I'm surprised it still publishes. Still weekly? I would offer that most of the writing that matches the quality of SI from 20 years ago can now be found at The Athletic pay site. If you are not familiar with The Athletic, I would suggest you try a trial subscription.

And, I doubt anyone could name the qualified voters for more than two of those awards? Coaches? Media? Guys who held the particular position? A committee - who's on the committee? A bunch of old farts in a Foundation? Heisman: voters are media members only, plus living prior Heisman winners Maxwell: NCAA head coaches, SID's, some media Camp: 134 Div 1 head coaches can vote, SID's re: the Heisman. Has notoriety, but are media members the best judge of the "premier award?" For all 3 of those, how many of the "voters" actually see a guy play more than a few ESPN highlights? Gabriel won the 100 year old Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten's outstanding player, voted on solely by head coaches in the conference. Red Grange, Tom Harmon, Otto Graham, Vic Janowicz, Alan Ameche, Howard Cassidy, Dick Butkus, Bob Griese, Archie Griffin, Orlando Pace, Ron Dayne, Drew Brees...just some of the names. Makes me think the Media Heisman is a bit overvalued.

It is subjective. To me, Jeanty would have had more credibility if he was playing on a Power 4 team, against Power 4 defenses every week pounding on him. There are more voters today than in the past. And, some years have more candidates to split votes. The 10 closest Heisman wins were all 77 votes or less. Jeanty was second by 214. If you instead ignore whole numbers and compare the top two candidates against no others by total votes percentage, Hunter has 52.5% and Jeanty 47.5%. To reach the floor of top ten closest votes Jeanty would have had to have 47.6%. The No. 1 closest was Ingram 50.5% vs 49.5% for Gerhart when you compare percent for top two. Heisman Voting Records - Heisman WWW.HEISMAN.COM Click here to see most complete and up-to-date Heisman Trophy voting records throughout the history of this iconic prize.

San Diego Lincoln outlasts Pittsburg for California high school football championship WWW.SI.COM Smith accounts for four touchdowns, and the Hornets hold on for a 28-26 win over the Pirates in the CIF Division 1-AA state championship game

MISSION VIEJO — Lincoln High School’s football team filled the role of vagabonds this season. Because of a home field that was deemed unsafe, the Hornets not only played every game on the road, but boarded buses to every practice. “Never had a season like it,” said Lincoln coach David Dunn. A season of resolve and resilience ended in tears of celebration Friday night as the Hornets capped an unforgettable season by beating Pittsburg 28-26 at Saddleback College to win the Division 1-AA state championship. It’s the second state title in the last three years for the Hornets (12-2). Smith capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive, all on the ground, by scoring from 7 yards out for a 28-20 lead with 3:44 to play. The Hornets did not throw the ball often, running 64 times while attempting just 14 passes. But the Oregon-bound Smith made Pittsburg pay when he dropped back, completing 6 of 11 passes for 171 yards and three TDs. “Akili has grown,” said Lincoln coach David Dunn. “He understands when to use his arm to make big plays. And when to use his legs.” Star of the game was Pittsburg running back Jamar Searcy who ripped off some big gains and scored all 4 of his team's TDs. Though is carry for a 2-pt conversion failed. He is committed to Washington State. Two Years After Last State Title, Lincoln High Again Takes Division 1-AA Crown - Times of San Diego TIMESOFSANDIEGO.COM The Hornets etched their name into California high school football history once again with a 28-26 nail-biting win over Pittsburg High.

somewhat related.... Since 2000, undefeated teams at end of season whose QB didn’t win Heisman: 2024 - 2023 – Michigan 2022 – Georgia 2020 – Alabama 2018 – Clemson 2017 – UCF 2010 – TCU 2009 – Alabama 2008 – Utah 2005 – Texas 2002 – Ohio St 2001 – Miami 2000 – Oklahoma

This is not the Rose Bowl. This is a CFP game which sets rules for the venue. Each of the four teams with opening round home games are required to provide 3,500 tickets to visitors. If BSU had a home game, or Penn State has a home game, and stadium size is non-comparable, both required to offer 3,500. Usually that will come out of student ticket sales as they are likely on Christmas break. Each of the four sites, Rose, Fiesta, etc. are allowed to offer 12,500. The 500 is generally for the band and staffers leaving about 12,000 for each school to sell. Boise State has told their fans, that is the number. Experience earlier this week strongly suggests that was also the number for Oregon. Two years ago the Rose allocation for Utah was 29,000 and they sold slightly above 30,000. But, that was the Rose Bowl's decision. This year, the 12,500 is a CFP decision, Don't know all the reasons, but I suspect the CFP has commitments to sponsors that are providing the $$$ to the CFP that tickets will be held for them. If Ticketmaster is a CFP sponsor (are they?) then restricting direct allocations to schools would mean more for Ticketmaster to peddle directly.

Wisconsin plays at Alabama early. Then mid-season 4 consecutive: at Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, at Oregon Oregon and byes? Four for a week before playing Oregon Penn St - home vs Oregon Indiana - at Oregon Iowa - home vs Oregon Minnesota - at Oregon Two Oregon byes before hosting Indiana before Iowa road trip So, Indiana, Iowa and Oregon each have a bye the prior week.

With former Duck Tyler Shough the QB at Louisville, married to a former Duck soccer player who grew up in Eugene, to have to pick between the Ducks connection or the Big Ten desire to win connection....is there really a choice?

If Oregon had lost, would it have been better? Probably would have been the 5 seed and Texas would have been 6. Appears that in either case, a more favorable matchup than getting OSU vs Tennessee. vs Oregon 8-Ohio St (6) 9-Tennesse (7) vs ASU 5-Texas (3) 12-Clemson (16) vs BSU 6-Penn St (4) 11- SMU (10) vs Georgia 7-Notre Dame (5) 10-Indiana (8)

Pace of play, and size of receiver core for PSU, caused the Ducks a lot of problems. Even when the receivers weren't targeted, they pulled defensive attention. Remember when 6-4 Juwan Johnson transferred from PSU to UO? When he was with the Ducks he was a handful for opposing DBs.

This year's Joe Moore Award for offensive line semi-finalists: #9 Alabama, #16 Army, #5 Indiana, Iowa, #8 Notre Dame, #2 Ohio State, #1 Oregon, #6 Tennessee, #3 Texas, and #25 Tulane*. It appears there may be one missing from the list?

If there are 4 B1G teams: Oregon, Penn St, Indiana, Ohio St.... then I will find it hard to believe the SEC gets 3.

The 2015 Michigan State team was the last to beat Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State in the same season. By the way, they also beat Oregon that season. Their season ended with a loss to Alabama in the Cotton Bowl.