SIDEARM Integrations

GODUCKS.COM

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Nearly two dozen athletes with UO ties are entered in the Summer Olympics over the next two weeks.

Anybody been keeping tabs on the happenings in Paris? We have some representation in track and field.

 

 

On 7/28/2024 at 11:12 AM, HDuck said:

With 9 B1G games in the immediate future, I think Oregon should cool their jets a bit on scheduling until there is some Playoff Selection Committee experience to judge the importance of a non-conference schedule.

 

Will the Committee give a preference to a schedule with Power 4 non-conference opponents?

 

If so, then "Beaver Week" in the 3 non-conference games needs to be examined as to whether teams from Big12, ACC or SEC should be slotted instead.  And, those potential ACC and Big12 teams could be from 6 former Pac12 opponents with West Coast ties.

 

The Ducks already have Baylor, Oklahoma St and Tex Tech on future schedules.  I would rather see those be retained than OSU come in annually.

 

OSU would undoubtedly want a home-and-home arrangement which also creates problems in years there are four B1G home games.

 

Tennessee cycles thru 5 lower level in-state opponents annually.  But, they have four non-conference games and those games are always in Knoxville.   Tenn fills their four with one FCS, and two Group of 5, with one Power 4.   The point is most programs just play one Power 4 opponent whether 3 or 4 nonconference.

 

Unless OSU falls off the shelf to be regarded as Group of 5 - willing to play annually in Eugene - I don't see using a Power 4 annual slot to play them home-and-home.

The problem is Oregon State will never view themselves like a Memphis, USF, Toledo, or San Diego State. At least when it comes to playing Oregon. Try telling Tennessee, Florida, Ohio State, or USC to play a home and home with a G5 in state school. 

 

Washington State feels the same I would guess. But to me there shouldn't be a home and home just because it's an instate program. I know that hurts the economy in Corvallis, and takes away a game that many feel is a historical rivalry. But I think Oregon would do better with a guaranteed extra home game vs a Mountain West opponent. 

 

What benefit does Oregon get from playing Oregon State on the road? I mean if they win huge people will just yawn. But if they lose? That could take away a home playoff game, or bye depending on how big the playoff gets.

 

Prior to 2000 I would say Oregon State and Oregon were at the same level. But it hasn't been close the last decade. Oregon is at the USC, Ohio State, Michigan level. The proof is in what conference we are in.

 

Oregon State? Nobody wants them. They aren't loyal to the PAC. They just don't have anywhere else to go.

According to most composite sites we are at 4-5 right now. Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama are ahead of us. The rest of the top ten consists of Texas A&M, LSU, Texas, Miami, Notre Dame and Penn State.

 

Getting into the South is challenging for anybody. It's going to be even tougher if Florida gets their act together. Is Akili Smith JR. Our future QB, or is he a legacy? At 6'5 and 225 he already has an NFL body. A big arm and durability is going to be a must in the B1G in October-December.

 

As far as getting into the South, I think getting Florida State is going to help everyone not named Ohio State, Michigan, or Penn State that get recruits out of that state regardless. Since travel is already national, I'd prefer visits to Florida State in November over Rutgers.

 

Imagine Dan getting into those living rooms. Letting those kids know who Oregon is, and letting them know about his SEC roots.

On 7/27/2024 at 5:35 AM, SaintPuddles said:

"Oregon State fans fail to realize most Ducks fans don't feel like playing Oregon State helps out athletic budget."


I don't care about the athletic budget. I care about continuing a rivalry that goes back to 1894.

While I disagree with the sentiment, I fully understand those who cling to the past. Do I wish the Ducks could've stayed in the PAC, and received the same benefits we're getting in our new conference? Yeah. But to say this is a rivalry that must be protected beyond conference affiliation. Nah.

 

Alabama vs Auburn, Florida vs Florida State,  Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State, Michigan vs Michigan State, Georgia vs Georgia Tech, Iowa vs Iowa State, Clemson vs South Carolina, Louisville vs Kentucky, Washington vs Washington State, BYU vs Utah, Arizona vs Arizona State.

 

Those are in state rivalries in the P4. Oklahoma isn't playing Oklahoma State, Iowa fans don't want to play Iowa State. The main reason is SOS in their ever growing conferences.

 

If Oregon beats Oregon State, it means nothing. But if Oregon State beats Oregon, that makes Oregon look second rate.

 

Just imagine Oregon getting off a tough in conference game against Ohio State or Michigan, while Beavis has just played Hawaii or Nevada. You know Oregon State is going to be up for beating Oregon, it's a no lose for them. For Oregon , it could knock them out of playoff contention.

 

Meanwhile if Florida loses to Florida State, they won't get penalized the same way. That's why I hope Oregon State can get a Big 12 or ACC invite if the "Civil War" has to continue. At least the perception of them being a tougher opponent would help Oregon.

 

But that's just how I see it. Anybody who has deep affection for this series because of sentimental reasons, or they just hate how there is no such thing as regions anymore. I see where they are coming from. I just don't care. I want Oregon to do well, win championships. A higher seed would help with that.

Future of the Civil War game | Benny's House

BENNYSHOUSE.COM

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It is on for the next 2 years, after that I am starting to wonder if we should continue the series. With oregon...

I won't force or recommend anybody look at the link above. But I put it up just for reference of how much this "rivalry" is manufactured by state legislators.

 

"Body Bag Game" or "Let the Ducks fly to the moon, Oregon State shouldn't do anything to lessen the strain on their wallet" and lastly "The game doesn't mean anything because both teams are in separate conferences now".  These are the most notable opinions from Benny Beavis.

 

Oregon State fans fail to realize most Ducks fans don't feel like playing Oregon State helps out athletic budget. But hey, why stick to facts when you can live on a cloud of lies?

 

 

I'm not much into winning the press conference, but look at every great coach (outside of Jim Harbaugh). Just about every guy that is championship material carries the room. He carries the control in the room either by his demeanor or words.

 

If you can't handle the media, it's a sign of how you speak to a large group of guys imo. Today words like alpha are seen as offensive for some reason. But football is about imposing your will on the guy across you. No participation trophies in big boy football.

On 7/24/2024 at 7:34 PM, Jon Joseph said:

Stop prevaricating and tell us how you truly feel! 😍

The Ducks are B1G. B1G is Fox. Therefore Fox>ESPN. Especially with the subtraction of Skip Bayless. Maybe Cowherd will be next.

Three things in life are certain..Death, taxes, and an ESPN "expert" making a butt of themselves.

 

Mark May was a hateful moron. Stephen A Smith is a screeching banshee. Lou Holtz is a man who still thinks it's the 1980's when Notre Dame actually won anything. Pat McAfee thinks life is a wrestling promotion. Kirk Herbstreit is a guy that will put his foot in his mouth one sentence, then he'll seemingly say something that leads you to believe he is a credible analyst. Then there's Paul Finebaum.....

On 7/23/2024 at 3:42 PM, Jon Joseph said:

Best get used to Indianapolis. The conference champ game will be played in Indy through 2028. Ditto Media Days.

Hopefully we'll get a game in Vegas now that the B1G is "National".

On 7/23/2024 at 2:00 PM, Charles Fischer said:

This was in another thread, but deserves its own.  So cool, and this marketing that MATTERS; the Duck is making a splash into the B1G!

 

Like Oregon or hate us,....you're going to know we're HERE!

 

 

My bad. I didn't see it.

 

But I'd like to think Oregon isn't afraid to let it's new conference know that it's going to be big, flashy, and do things their way. I can't wait to see how folks at Northwestern are going to feel about this.

I wish the B1G would do a yearly challenge against the ACC on the gridiron like they do in basketball. Take Beavis off the schedule, we get a rotating ACC foe. It could be the same weekend as a SEC vs Big 12 challenge.

 

Sometimes you may get a Syracuse, Boston College, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Duke, or Wake Forest. Other years you'd get a Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina. It could be an interesting idea.

 

But these media days never really bring up anything interesting. Still it's going to be odd seeing Dan in front of an Oregon B1G background on Thursday.

 

Oregon Ducks Shock Big Ten With Massive Inflatable Duck In Indianapolis River

WWW.SI.COM

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The Oregon Ducks are joining the Big Ten Conference in style. For their inaugural Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis...

 

 

August 2nd. We officially become members.

 

But I like to think we're already making ourselves known to the oldest conferences in college athletics.  Imagine the old stuffy shirts who still think Penn State is a new member reaction when they get a look at us. 

 

 

 

 

On 7/22/2024 at 8:23 PM, Thomallister1291 said:

Dan Lanning WILL BE our Nick Saban! Mark my words!

It's gonna be hard for any coach to have a dynasty like Saban did at Alabama. With the expanded playoff, player transfers, and ever-changing landscape of CFB. But to be our Saban, he can do that by doing what Dabo did at Clemson.

 

He's really young, two titles are entirely possible. Anything above that is icing to me . Kirby has two at Georgia, Urban had two at Florida. Carroll had two at USC. Paterno had two at Penn State. Bowden had two at Florida State. All those guys are Hall of Famers.

On 7/22/2024 at 1:28 PM, Nevada Dawg said:

I agree that there is no way that a football tourney can be inclusive as basketball. I also think that 17 games should be about the absolute max. Yet, in the interest of inclusivity. it is OK for a very deserving team to be excluded occasionally. It has happened to my Dawgs twice in the past five years (2018, 2023) when virtually all the heavyweights considered Georgia to be one of the best four teams, but other considerations put them at #5. I didn't like it but knew the rules for inclusion and was OK both years (though not happy).

 

Again I will say that no team should gripe too much if omitted when they can't finish at least third in their conference. Give the Libertys or App States or Boise States shot if warranted. Funny things can happen (e.g., Tulane over the condoms two years ago). Now wasn't that worth it?

 

I always said a four team playoff was never a playoff. It was an Invitational, I jokingly called it the "Alabama Invitational" but I think I was right about that one.

 

It should've been 8. You had 5 Power conferences, only four spots. With 8 slots you would've made all NY6 Bowls mean something. Four Quarters, two semis, and then the CFP Title Game.

 

Five conference champions. One G5 team if they rate high enough. Two wildcards.

 

But the geniuses of CFB proved their genius once more.....

 

Imagine the NFL excluding a division winner in the playoffs.

On 7/22/2024 at 6:41 PM, Charles Fischer said:

Beavis...I would not expect you to understand...

 

 

Right. You got bigger problems this fall...

 

Beavis is like the character in Dumb and Dumber. Can't read the room, but hey "You're saying there's a chance!!"

 Meanwhile the bus of bathing beauties just passed them by again.

On 7/21/2024 at 7:45 PM, Jon Sousa said:

 

• DP, How do you get unlimited recording?

It's on the live TV tier. 

I've had satellite, cable, and streaming through the years. With the NFL recently being sued due to their NFL Sunday Ticket, and issues with Red zone in the past. I can can say selective streaming is my choice going forward.

 

I've had the Sling Blue package which is around 25 bucks. It includes the B1G network.

 

I currently have Peacock for 5.99 month. Maybe it's gone up to 7.99, I'll have to check my billing. I also have the Hulu package for fifteen bucks, it includes ESPN and Disney Plus. For about fifteen bucks a month I get everything I need.

 

During college football season I'll change my plan to include Live TV through Hulu. That bumps up the monthly quite a bit, but it's only for a few months and I get every game I want for the only sport I care to watch from start to finish(CFB). With the move to the B1G, and upcoming playoff. This season proves to be noteworthy. Plus I get unlimited recording, so if I'm busy for say Oregon at Michigan, Oregon hosting Ohio State, or Oregon blasting Washington. I get to watch those games on my time.

On 7/19/2024 at 1:35 PM, Jon Joseph said:

 

Good question. Fox shut ESPN out of the LA market after their B12 broadcast 'partner' purloined Oklahoma and Texas. 

 

But with ESPN and Fox recently joining Warner to form a streaming entity, Venu, what are today's media battle rules? Similarly, the B1G and the SEC formed an 'advisory group.'  Why compete for new properties with Venu on the scene? I think FSU and Clemson did not properly read the marketplace. IMO, Clemson and FSU should have threatened litigation if not given a bigger slice of the media pie and a post-season split of 'you eat what you kill?'  I think a whole lot of legal fees may not be recouped. Potential private equity deals have also altered the traditional media income calculus. 

 

 

The B1G and the SEC are on antitrust and interference with a contract tip toes. The Power 2 conferences do not want to be accused of doing anything to crater the ACC.

 

What happens if the B1G adds Notre Dame and UNC after the ACC implodes and the SEC adds two or more teams? Playoff, or a World Series between the P2? 

 

If it's the B1G in charge and not Fox, B1G presidents will not invite a non-AAU member school to join the conference. The SEC has the flagship Florida team in Gainesville. And South Carolina is covered by USC (E.)

 

The ACC deal, which ESPN can cancel in February 2025, is perhaps the best the ACC's two biggest brands can score. 

 

I am very happy that Puddles caught the last plane out of the Pac-10!

Good points. If it's an AAU issue then I can see the problem with the two ACC football powers. FSU is actually getting close to AAU status, they've invested heavily into their academic structure the last ten years. Ironically the same period their football team began to suffer. Clemson is purely a get because of what their football team has done the last decade.

 

If the B1G wants to get into the Carolina's, I'd bet North was their preference. But getting into Florida with the fourth highest population has to be a carrot that they are eyeing. I don't think FSU just decided to raise a fuss without getting some positive feedback from a conference that can offer them more. The Big Twelve isn't any better than the ACC. So I really believe FSU has had conversations, Clemson waited a while before they joined the fight. To me that is pretty telling.

 

But I don't know. I didn't know last year at this time that Puddles would be a couple weeks away from telling the PAC Who to kick sand.

On 7/18/2024 at 12:04 AM, SoGaDawg said:

I wish that I could say no, that there is no one worried, but I don’t think that is true.  I think the fear would mostly be surrounding recruiting and also the potential for the B1G to outpace from a revenue standpoint.  

 

If you look at the top 100 recruits each year for the past years, the SEC has gotten the lions share of these recruits and it hasn’t been particularly close.  It looks as though the B1G is already maybe starting to lessen the gap since their new west coast additions.  I’m not sure the numbers but I think the 2025 commitments right now are closer than years past.  I would speculate that if they had teams in the south, prime SEC recruiting land, they will close the gap further.  I think this might be a big concern for the SEC.  
 

As far as the revenue concerns, I can’t really make an educated prognostication in this area.  Other than it kinda makes sense that the B1G expanding into new and flourishing markets would increase their revenue and revenue sharing as a conference.  For example if the SEC were to add FSU, Clemson, or Georgia Tech, it wouldn’t really necessarily increase their market area.  In contrast, if the B1G added one or all of these programs it could open up potentially new big markets.  
 

So yes, I think there is definitely fear of the B1G invading the Southeast.  New markets and a ridiculous number of high level recruits to fight over. 

I don't buy the reports of the B1G not wanting FSU or Clemson. I think it's a way of avoiding a tampering charge until those two are legally allowed to leave. With that said, I do believe the SEC has no interest in those two. Especially FSU with their past of turning down membership, and Florida not wanting them in conference. I know Texas A&M didn't want Texas, but Florida is a founding SEC member, and Texas is kind of a huge deal. No offense to A&M, but Texas is the program in that state.

 

 

Would the SEC add Clemson, FSU, or Georgia Tech as a defensive method?

On 7/17/2024 at 7:27 PM, SoGaDawg said:

I couldn’t agree with you more.  I’m sure if Kirby is going to lose out on a big time recruit, he would much rather lose out to Lanning and the Ducks than to an SEC team.  
 

Obviously, Kirby is a competitor and so his main feeling for any other team is to want to beat them as handily as possible.  He isn’t calling off the “Dawgs” for anyone, unless there is some strategy in it that he feels benefits GA. Although, it’s my guess that Kirby does genuinely have a bit of affection for Lanning and with this a bit for the Ducks.  He looked completely comfortable throwing a little jab towards Lanning and the Ducks.  I think that’s pretty cool.

 

I think another prime example of Kirby’s relationship with Lanning can be illustrated in his post game press conference after their meeting in Atlanta.  This was Lannings first game and unfortunately he had to face an extremely talented GA team.  If I am remembering correctly, one of Kirby’s comments on the game was simply something like “Look guys, we’ve just got better players at this point and that makes it very tough.”  
 

In the comment above, I don’t believe Kirby was making excuses for Lanning, but I do think he said it in defense of Lanning.  The optics of that game were not a good look for Lanning.  Kirby knew Lanning is a great coach, recruiter, and so on….  So I think in that comment he was using a factual statement to convey to all of Oregon’s supporters that they shouldn’t lose any faith in Lanning as the leader of the program.  
 

So now here we are.  Lanning has the Ducks very much on the rise.  He quickly turned the job offer from Bama down flat and cemented his commitment to Oregon.  This also put to bed the nasty rumor that Oregon is just a high end stepping stone program.  That was a huge moment.  Lanning is the man!  He is my second favorite coach in all of CFB!

With that being said, and Oregon now being in the Big Ten. Does anybody in SEC land fear the Big Ten planting a flag in South Carolina, Florida, or Georgia?

On 7/11/2024 at 5:16 AM, Jon Joseph said:

I admire Fisch for 'getting it.'

 

DeBore brought Penix in but for the most part, DeBoer stepped into a ready-made gold mine. Even with a roster advantage vs most opponents, in 2023 UW won an inordinate number of 1-score games. One reason why SP+ at season's end had Oregon ranked higher than UW, and also Texas. 

 

Fisch knows that to recruit and portal pick today he needs money. No more faux Ivy League BS, money. Under difficult circumstances, he has UW ranked inside the 2025 recruiting rankings. Do not sell this guy short. He dropped two games last season, at USC and vs UW that Arizona could have won and then competed for a conference title.

 

At the 2023 season's end, AZ was one of the most dangerous teams in the nation. The Wildcats defeated the Sooners, a team that defeated PO Texas in 2023, by hanging in and not giving up. I was very happy to have the Ducks play in Tempe last season and not in Tucson. 

 

I hope the job at Fisch's alma mater, Florida, opens up and he follows Slick and Mari(o) home. In the long term, Fisch will put a quality product on the field. A team that will consistently be in the top third of the B1G.

 

However, dumping on the Huskies is all good.😍 

You're right on this Jon. Fisch will have Washington running with three stars and the benefit of being in the Big Ten in a couple years imo.

 

My guess is Florida (toughest schedule in football this year) will be hiring him next season though. Napier was brought in to get Florida back on track. With all the Rashada NIL mess, and a three game losing streak to Kentucky. To go a long with Georgia dominating the sport during his tenure, I don't see him lasting another year. Too bad, so sad.

 

Maybe Saban will grow tired of retirement and want to come back to the Big Ten though(former Michigan State coach). Is Washington a stepping Stone program if they lose two coaches in two years to the SEC? Funny that their fans said Oregon was going to lose Lanning to Alabama.

Truth is nobody wanted them last year, nobody wants them this year. They don't have the ability to buy their way into the P4 like SMU. They don't have the geographic, academic, or history to be invited by even the far lesser of the 2 of the P4.

 

I mean it's gone from a bad joke to just pathetic. That media day was like two old playboy cover girls at a convention looking for the attention they received 30 years ago. Except Beavis and Coogler were never cover material. Now it's like please cover yourself up honey. Here's some hot tea and a blanket.

This was more like a blade of grass in the desert. Not much shade. Kind of like me wishing I had the same numbers in my bank account as my buddy who's daddy invested in Apple back in the day.

I don't care about the Bruins. I say we kick Beavis to the curb, let them come groveling back if they want the game as their other opponents don't fill their cracker Jack box.

 

A 2 or 3 for one sounds about right.

 

We traded up from OSU to TOSU. We don't need them, many of us don't want them.

On 7/14/2024 at 11:52 AM, OregonDucks said:

FSU and Clemson feel more like SEC teams to me both geographically and culturally. 
 

Notre Dame and North Carolina would be better fits in the B1G, IMHO. However, if the B1G wants to continue to compete with the SEC they should be looking to add the best programs possible.  
 

Miami to the Big 12?

I agree, but USC and Oregon to the Big Ten has taken a while to get used to. The Big Ten has a presence near North Carolina already. It's clear they want to be National. FSU and Clemson should be SEC programs, Florida and South Carolina disagree about that.

 

But the question going forward is what does the SEC want? Will they block out the Big Ten? The SEC doesn't want the Big Ten in Florida. That would put Big Ten flags in California, New York(Jersey but the same, look at Giants and Jets stadium), and Florida. What's to stop them from completing it with a school in Texas?

 

FSU and Clemson will be getting out of the ACC soon. I think FSU has been aggressive because they've had unofficial talks with another league. These talks occurred around the same time the Big Ten was in talks with Oregon and Washington.

 

Multiple reports have talked about how the SEC isn't interested in adding FSU at this time. FSU had turned them down three times in the past, and Florida is a founding member of that league . Florida doesn't want FSU to get a lifeline to a league they inhabit.

 

Pittsburgh, Louisville, Miami, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and Syracuse May look at the Big Twelve if the ACC starts to lose their biggest brands. Is that a P4 league?

 

Then you may have the ACC swipe USF, Memphis, Oregon State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Nevada and Washington State. Is that a P4 league?

 

I think it's safe to say that whatever happens, Oregon is set to be in pole position. That's gotta be pretty comforting, especially compared to this time last year when we were waiting to hear about a media deal that was going to save the PAC.