HDuck

There was an interesting column in today's Athletic about how the Michigan D stymied Penix. They were able to bring pressure using 4 down linemen, and would drop a 5th guy into coverage which rattled Penix who didn't have enough time to account for the extra defender in receiver territory. That scenario was as compared to many of UW's earlier opponents having to use 5 guys at the line instead of 4. Not going to go into all the details here that The Athletic column included. But, without their best running back UW could not make UM pay the price for dropping the 5th guy which was also a factor. Bottom line, UM had statistically the No. 1 defense this season, and those 4 guys at the line of scrimmage were a big reason. I was surprised watching the game because I felt Penix was really good this season in getting the ball out of his hand quickly. But, if receivers need more time to get open, or never get open, and he was also facing pressure to put him on his butt, I can see why several balls were off target.

Bucky. After Whittington went down for the season early, Bucky delivered. Also, caught 56 passes and was consistent catching rather than dropping them. I could comment on 10 or more guys, but I interpreted Charles challenge as to pick just one.

No. 2 in the AP final poll ranking history - the AP is the oldest commonly accepted poll dating back to 1936 What was the program's record over the next 5 seasons after No.2 ranking? Washington 1984 - 36-21-2 - (No. 2 behind Miami) 1991 - 39-18-1 - (No. 2 behind BYU) 2023 - ?? -?? - (No. 2 behind Michigan) Oregon 2001 - 37-25 - (No. 2 behind Miami) 2012 - 44-22 - (No. 2 behind Alabama) 2014 - 41-24 - (No. 2 behind Ohio State)

The UNLV QB flipped from Georgia to USC.

With UW's loss tonight, Oregon becomes the last Pac12 team ever to complete their season with a victory. Prior to tonight, the leading teams in the nation in passing yards per game were (1) UW, (2) Oregon. With 255 yds passing tonight, that order has flipped. The Ducks finish the season leading the nation in passing yards per game. One thing about the 21 point loss, it does soothe the angst a bit for Huskies fans. After a bit of time, I doubt they'll rue the missed opportunity as much as Auburn 22-19 vs Oregon?

Impact of mature players? Here is a column on how UW has been helped this season, the so-called Natty 9: https://www.si.com/college/washington/football/huskies-natty-9-provides-roster-backbone-for-cfp-title-run I think the COVID year for additional experience, and players like Nix who stuck around, created a situation this year that probably offset some advantages the SEC has had in the past. We may never see a "maturity season" again like this one.

A trite phrase, but 2023 for UW may just be destiny. The number of close games is borderline unbelievable. Four of their regular season wins by 3, 2, 3 and 3 points, and 9 games by 10 pts or less. Huskie fans my end up touting this as their best team ever. Frankly, I don't think it comes close to some of their best in the past. But Lady Fortune has shined on the dogs butts this season. Can the Michigan defense disrupt them? I'm not so sure. Penix gets the ball off his hand extremely fast. His O-line has been touted, but I really think his O-line has benefited from how fast from snap to throw Penix is. I think the Michigan defense is going to get frustrated. On the other hand, UW defense has given up a ton of yards per game. A ton. Will Michigan be able to take advantage?

Name the Oregon coaches who would have kept the pedal on the floor as the half wound down? Kelly, probably. Any others in Ducks history? (history: Ducks led TCU 31-0 at the half, so - keep playing)

Former Duck Te-Hina Paopao is S. Carolina’s second leading scorer. Angela Dugalic at UCLA Kylee Watson at Notre Dame Sydney Parrish at Indiana Sedona Prince now at TCU Endyia Rogers now at Tex A&M Maddie Scherr at Kentucky Oregon’s in-bound transfers came from: UC-San Diego, South Florida, Miami (OH), Liberty U, Lane CC Asst. Mark Campell is now at TCU. TCU is 14-0 so far this season. Assistants include: Ruthy Hebard, Minyon Moore, Nia Jackson who played for the Ducks; and, Xavier Lopez who was on the Oregon staff.

When Oregon played Georgia...3-49 loss, the total yds was 313 to 571, Georgia possession 31:10 of 60. So far today...3-42, total yds 185 to 381, Georgia time of possession 13:11 of 30:00

Both teams have over 20 players who have opted out for one reason or another. The depth of capable players for Georgia is unbelievable. It appears the players they lost have had little impact. I didn't see their loss to Alabama, 24-27, but that must have been a heck of a game. Appears Georgia is playing today for a No. 2 ranking.

It was Oklahoma 24-13 before Cats dominated the last 16 minutes 25-0. UA QB Fifita reminded me of VJ Adams during that stretch.

"I used to watch as many Bowls as I could see,-nowadays Meh" Florida State's second-string QB announced portal entry today. That means their 3rd string guy will start, and there are no backups to him whom have appeared this season in a game. FSU already has significant numbers of guys who won't play, including former Duck Trey Benson who led the team in rushing. Georgia has a bunch of guys who entered the portal, but generally they were not starters. Neither Notre Dame or Oregon State will have their starting QBs...and so on...and so on...which affects ticket sales and TV viewership for bowl games.

Imagine for a moment, 16 teams, no byes, in 2023-24: Jan. 15 – National Championship in Pasadena Jan. 8 – Sugar, Fiesta Dec. 31/Jan. 1 – Rose, Cotton, Orange, Peach Dec. 22/23 – Holiday, Las Vegas, Alamo, Sun, Music City, TaxSlayer, Citrus, Reliaquest Others: Arizona Bowl, Liberty, Gator, Pop Tarts, Pinstripe, Fenway, Texas, Duke’sMayo, Military, Guaranteed Rate, First Responder, Quick Lane, Hawaii, Ventures, Idaho Potato, Camilia, Birmingham, Gasparilla, Independence, LA Bowl, more If, for example, Alamo and Sun don't want to be before Christmas, then "fine, we'll substitute Gator and Texas, but now you guys are out of consideration". Uh, Rose - "we always want to be Jan. 1st." Uh fine, "we'll substitute Las Vegas and you likely won't have top rated teams in the Rose every season." And so forth, thru various scenarios where bowls are told, "you can either continue as a bowl of consequence, or see yourself wither away." Bowls not part of "the 14 perpetually designated" can pick dates whenever they want. The Rose Bowl has had dual dates in the past, a classic Rose and a Championship a few days later, but in the scenario above they should be prepared to be Jan. 8 only every 3 years and not stage a game on Jan. 1. Holes in this? Probably. But, it is written to demonstrate what is feasible if cooperation exists. It would take away winter home games for Midwest programs that qualify for an opening round game at home instead of a bowl site.

Please coach: priorities, more beef on the O&D-lines, less in the skillet

It usually takes some very good fortune, or help of the football Gods, too. UW won 6 games this year by 7 points or less. 4 games by 3 pts or less. Obviously they manufactured some of that fortune for themselves, but without the "Gods" one or two of those games could have just as easily been a loser. It will be interesting to see if the Gods are on the UW or the Texas sideline.

Oops, typo. He is 73.

72 years old today. 116-55 record at Oregon is No. 5 all-time wins in the conference behind Donahue, James, McKay and Howard Jones. From 1995-2008, 14 seasons, despite winning/sharing conference titles he was never acknowledged as conference coach of the year. A petty result from his peers. Chip took over in 2009 and was CofY in 2009 and 2010 with the program Mike had built.

Conceptually, I have no problem with OS and WSU holding distributions until there is a full accounting of debt and other potential liabilities. That being said, that should also include OS/WSU taking no distributions.

There was an interesting piece in The Athletic in October about Gabriel after the win over Texas. Recommend it to you, if you have a subscription because a link here would not open otherwise. Writer shares about his youth in Hawaii, and his collegiate travels - UCF - almost UCLA - Oklahoma. Provides the reader a much better understanding than just "oh, that transfer from Oklahoma."

Winning the Campbell Trophy implies Bo's future career choices will not limited by 120 yds of grass/turf. The two guys who had more Heisman votes were not eligible finalists for that one.

Ty has had 3 O-coordinators: Moorhead, Dillingham and Stein. They had a couple pretty good starters ahead of Ty, but for some reason(s) didn't take much opportunity to get him playing time. Why? Performance in practice? Performance in the video analysis room? Recognition of defensive alignments at the college level? Someone elsewhere suggested the analysis of Ty as a recruit was limited by COVID restrictions in 2020 high school season. But, he was offered and accepted based on 2019 season and committed Spring of 2020 before his senior year. It is concerning his "growth curve" has been pretty flat. I remember a coach (Bellotti maybe?) who talked about "players who peak as freshmen and don't advance. A guy is all-world coming from high school, but college is a whole 'nother deal." Obviously three O-coords have been skeptical. That being said, he appears to have enough raw physical ability that he would be able to find a spot somewhere IF he is leaving.

I concur. I don't think Nix was REALLY in the lead, even with the Pac12 championship result there is simply too much spread between Daniels and Nix in the final vote. Maybe that was thrown into the rumor mill to try to draw money into the betting pool. I think it is always going to be difficult for a NW player to win. Daniels is within one time zone of 5 of the 6 voter regions. The way that is set up, it favors candidates east of the Mississippi River. Penix joins a list of some noteworthy second place results from the West: Second place from the West 1974 – Anthony Davis 1975 – Chuck Muncie 1976 – Ricky Bell 1982 – John Elway 1983 – Steve Young 1988 – Rodney Peete 1992 – Marshall Faulk 2009 – Toby Gerhart 2010 – Andrew Luck 2011 – Andrew Luck 2015 – Christian McCaffrey 2017 – Bryce Love 2023 – Michael Penix Jr The way this is set up now, I doubt winners like Ty Detmer or Terry Baker could win a vote today without "USC" next to their names. You can't say Nix took away votes from Penix because a lot of Nix votes would have gone to Daniels in a 2-man race.

Well, as an Oregon fan, I would rather be part of the rumor mill for transfers, or "6 teams I'm considering" for recruits, than the alternative. That being said, other programs are not just going to genuflect when Oregon, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, etc. are mentioned. They are going to keep recruiting right up to signing day with their own energy and showcasing their own staffs and assets. Aside, from perhaps Alabama, no program can tap a kid on the shoulder and be guaranteed getting him. Even Alabama has a kid flip from time to time. So, as fans, we need to recognize our favorite program is not going to get all the high profile guys mentioned. There IS competition out there. As a result, I try not to get either super high or low when results come in. Kids are kids. Different things motivate them in making final decisions from geography to coaches to uniforms to.... and even they follow the rumors of whom they might have to compete with for a starting role.