HDuck

The 5-0 start in the Pac12 is only the third time in 14 seasons for Altman. 7-0: 2012-13 in a 12-6 conference season 8-0: 2016-17, 16-2 And tonight WSU knocks off Arizona, after earlier loss this season to Ducks.

Alabama's AD talked about it today. He positions it as building candidate plans A, B, C, D without a priority. My interpretation of it, "you're all equal until somebody says yes. Alabama AD Greg Byrne discusses DeBoer hiring | Watch (msn.com)

Alabama candidates Mike Norvell, Kalen DeBoer, Lane Kiffin and Sark are all Jimmy Sexton clients. in the SEC, 11 of 14 coaches in the league last year were repped by Sexton, along with both 2024 new guys Steve Sarkisian and Brent Venables. There is publicity this morning from Austin that Sark is getting a new contract. If DeBoer is meeting with the Dub AD it is just another example of Sexton leveraging an opening for more client money. For Sexton, Christmas comes after December 25.

Byrne could just shorten this process real quickly if he would name Miss Terry as coach, and have her hire Nick as one of those infamous SEC analyst staffers.

"..having to re-recruit his roster and coaching staff every year" Yep, at some point that would leave that category of "coaching challenge" and enter the category of big pain in the butt. Especially if you are 72 years old and have the wealth he's accumulated. Don't know how old his dad and grandad were, but you begin thinking about it as you get closer to their age of demise. (Actually his father died at age 46) There's also a certain amount of pride in having former assistants you helped develop come after the King, but that also can become a pain in the butt. Along with a fan base that has unreasonable expectations.

Tuck? I think somebody is trying to have fun with web site readers. Tuck is probably Mel Tucker who was an assistant for a year at Alabama. You know - the infamous Michigan State Mel Tucker.

"Seeing reports now that DL is actually not in Tuscaloosa" Yep, I saw a "report" that he was seen at Market of Choice in Eugene. Rumor mongering on the Internet is not a "report" which is a word that implies fact based. Another one, "the Alabama plane can no longer be tracked on Flight Aware." Yep. Hasn't been for months. As I recall when Byrne hired Rich Rod he disguised his travel significantly. Hell, Lanning could be in Alabama recruiting for all we know. Or, he could be taking his kids to a movie.

Tuscaloosa? Probably wants to be readily available to represent Oregon when the recruiting decommits at Alabama start coming in. Ryan Williams, No. 9 overall recruit, decommits from Alabama - ESPN WWW.ESPN.COM Ryan Williams, the No. 9 overall prospect and No. 3 receiver in the 2024 ESPN 300, told ESPN that he has decommitted from Alabama after Nick Saban's retirement.

Every guy has his own ego, and sense of self-worth, but I would rather be the guy who follows the guy that can't live up to the legend, than be the guy who follows the legend. Life was a lot easier for Bill Curry who followed Ray Perkins than it was for Perkins who followed Bear Bryant.

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