Duckley Palace

It's kind of crazy to see how much Ohio State has reacted to three straight losses to Michigan. They had a QB problem, they also have struggled to recruit offensive lineman. But after listening to their new A.D talk, they are going to fully embrace NIL, the transfer portal, and having large expensive coaching staffs. My response to Ohio State just now going all out? What the heck is all out these days? It's not like they've been cheap, or lacked talent. It's not like they haven't been brash, done things that may be deemed "stretching the rules". To me, they've been operating like an SEC program for over a decade now. It's why Penn State, and Michigan started "stretching the rules". The Big Ten Oregon is entering, is a much more cutthroat version than the one Nebraska did in 2012. It's why Lanning has a 22 million dollar buyout. It's why Oregon could never have a guy who recruits like Chip Kelly did, ever again. Washington , and UCLA are going into the wild West with pea shooters. Oregon, and USC are going in with missiles. Difference is ,USC has a guy who has no idea what to do with the darn thing. They'll likely blow up their own backyard.

He's an ace recruiter, Day needs to be a CEO like Meyer. Lanning understood this early on. It's what Kirby learned from Nick. Dan learned it from Kirby.

Ryan Day is considered a failure. Let that sink in. The man is 55-8, had the defending and eventual champion Georgia on the ropes. Missed a field goal that would have got them into a game with TCU. They we would've won that game. Ten years ago Oregon would be ecstatic with the two seasons we just witnessed. But it was a letdown for us. We know Oregon has the roster to beat Michigan. We are disappointed with a top ten finish. We are disappointed in losing to a team up north. Three straight losses, it has to end next November. Seems to be a lot of parallels between the two programs. Both should make the playoff next year. How crazy would it be to have three matchups this upcoming season? Oregon wins the first, Ohio State wins the conference title game. Oregon wins the National Title. Let the hate flow through the Buckeyes as they beat Michigan, only to find out they have another team they should need to focus on.

This is all on purpose. Deboer needs a roster he can develop. He doesn't need those fancy stars that everyone with less coaching chops desire. He beat Oregon twice, Texas. Michigan wasn't the juggernaut roster, if they were, that game would have ended differently. Had Ohio State been in that game with all their stars, it would have been Husky hysteria right now. You just wait, Alabama will win with three stars. Three stars, and sixth year transfers are going to rule the mighty SEC.

The Big Ten Network is what the Pac Twelve Network wanted to be. Launching in 2007, it was seen as a big risk at the time. But they partnered with network executives with experience, but remained separate from ESPN, unlike the SEC, or ACC. Which I just see as ESPN subsidiaries. The Pac Twelve took on the endeavor at total cost against it's operating revenue in an attempt to be completely it's own. But they forgot to get partnerships with cable or satellite companies. Something Jim Delaney did when he launched his Big Ten Network, he paid for his network with the money made from the deals, and advertisements through the network. The networks major negative to most Big Ten oldies is the need for expansion. That's why Rutgers was added, to get into the New Jersey/New York market. Same with Maryland to the DC metro area. But outside of some pretty terrible football, Delaney made the Big Ten into an economic juggernaut. Kevin Warren continued that when he negotiated an NFL type deal before going to the Bears. The Big Ten isn't at the SEC level yet as far as on field results. Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, and Washington have been. But realistically Washington doesn't have the talent level of those other three. But the Big Ten does outpace the SEC by a mile in just about every other aspect. Television markets, academic alliance, Olympic sports. Just think about the fact that Oregon vs Ohio State in Eugene is a conference game this year. Sounds a little better than Oregon vs Stanford. How about USC vs Michigan, Washington vs Penn State. Those would have all been top ten matchups had they happened this past year. I'm sorry to the traditionalists, but I'm happy about the move. Oregon is big time now. We don't need the talking heads to speak about it, it just is.

Past three off seasons he's been taking interviews. All three were his best teams, and that isn't just because he's an "NFL guy". Look at the timeline of Carroll going to the Seahawks.

College football has changed so much from just ten years ago. Remember when the Jimbo Fisher deal was a shocker? Michigan was a program that looked down at programs like Ohio State, USC, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Oregon etc. They preached about how they had ethics, and wouldn't dare cheat. After all it wasn't like they had a major cheating scandal in the 90's on the hard court. I guess getting boat raced every year changed their thinking. What sanctions are they going to face? They all celebrated Ohio State getting hammered due to tattoos in 2010. They have more to lose if they lose this past season. I think the fact Harbaugh has a clause demand in his upcoming contract giving him immunity, speaks loudly. Michigan is going to a very uncertain future, a young first year coach could be stained forever if he crumbles under the weight. Sadly he may become the sacrificial lamb.

I think Moore is the front runner in the likely scenario right now. Being the interim is different than the full time man, as Day found out. But Lanning was an assistant under Kirby. Kirby was an assistant under Saban. Dabo was a wide receiver coach I think. Drinkowitz just signed a huge extension. It's a little late in the game, even mighty Bama has to go with their third option(Yes I believe Lanning was number one, Norvell was two). Deboer isn't a great recruiter, I don't think he will recruit number one classes just because he's at Bama either. If you don't believe me, look at where Ohio State was during the Tressell era. Look at Florida under the Sharkman, or Mullen. Look at Oregon under Chip, even Helfrich. Lanning is a masterful recruiter, a young energetic coach that has dominated everyone outside Washington. He fits the SEC mold. So Michigan might do what Notre Dame did, they promoted Freeman. They will follow in what Ohio State did with Day. I was shocked when both those programs hired guys I knew little about. Moore deserves a shot, even if he cried like a baby after that Penn State game.

That would be hilarious. With what's happened, I don't discredit anything. That includes a cloned Woody Hayes.

Chargers complete interview with Michigan's Jim Harbaugh for head coach opening - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Harbaugh has reportedly indicated he could leave Michigan to take over in L.A. In the article link I posted^, the Chargers and Raiders have open interest. Harbaugh was offered a ten year deal at over 100 million with Michigan, the caveat being he no longer accepts NFL interviews. He hasn't signed it. Nothing concrete, but the bread crumbs lead to an assumption. The Chargers need to satisfy the Rooney clause before anything can become final. My guess is that will take place this week. With Belichick being available, this is one of the wildest off seasons in some time.

Any guess as to who the Wolverines look to hire to replace him? They must have some idea, unless they just roll out everything to screw with the Buckeyes by hiring Urban Meyer. My guess is Campbell from Iowa State, or one of the Kansas schools head coaches. Perhaps Pete Carroll? The Big-10 is going to be a horse of a different color next year. Ohio State is close to hiring away the athletic director at Texas A&M. My guess is that move makes them more likely to move on from Day after this year, if he doesn't beat Michigan, or win the National Title. The people at Ohio State are so insane, that he may be on the hot seat if he wins the National Title, but loses to Michigan. I grew up there, I have a lot of family that are Buckeyes. They are insane when it comes to that game. Something I can't equate to any Oregon rival.

Lawyers are like loch Ness fishermen Charles. I say take uncle Jedd to court and see if you can get a settlement from him ,for his obvious copyright infringement. I'm sure he's got some nice dough coming his way.

Thanks Charles. I'll be respectful of even our down on their luck neighbors up north. But I can't guarantee I won't relish a bit in their recent riches to rags status. Losing three straight causes some feelings you know.

Washington beat Texas, they got to the title game. They went undefeated, beating a more talented roster in Oregon. But they got a taste of the physicality they can expect in their new conference. With or without Deboer, they are going to struggle yearly with their talent level. Oregon would've beat Michigan, I believe that wholeheartedly. This isn't a slight on Washington. More of a compliment they got as far as they did.