30Duck

I can't imagine anybody would disagree with me in saying that this is the BEST Site they've ever been involved with. My first experience at moderating was at a "Buffy the Vampire" site in the late 90's, believe me there was no decorum in that forum, the Angel vs Spike rivalry put Ducks -Beavers to shame. But, along with all the features this forum has to make posting so easy, it's the exchange of ideas that makes it special. I look forward to reading every post and my thoughts on a topic are constantly shifting when a new angle shows up. When I'm out and about and I see another Ducked up person walking along I always give a "Go, Ducks!" It might be one of you!

When one talks about a team being overrated, I think Indiana jumps to the front of the line. One of the most common terms in sports is, "this game is a measuring stick." that game for Indiana was against Ohio State, and Indiana definitely didn't measure up. It's not that I want Notre Dame, but I think they'll win. No game all season had me more nervous than the B1G CCG against Penn State, Warren is terrifying. Good job getting in, SMU, but time to say goodnight. I don't think Clemson or Texas had seasons worthy of Top 12. Clemson's best game was their 3 point win over SMU, Texas didn't have a Best win, their best games were the two L's to Georgia. I used to go All Pac in Bowl Season, but since the B1G really only had 3 competitive teams I don't that have that loyalty yet, go Tennessee, OBD will take care of the SEC.

This is completely where I am. One of the reasons I want Tennessee to beat osu2 is because the thought of them beating OBD in the Playoffs, would take some of the shine off OBD's dominant season, and then having osu2 go on to win the Natty is more than I'm ready to deal with. As for next year, I'll accept that going undefeated again isn't the floor. It's hard to do that. What would make it easier is having a talented, experienced quarterback. No way am I going to advocate that Oregon sit back, let the QB, or any other player(s) get their footing, while games are lost. Recruiting is vital, but Oregon and Georgia both are heavy in the Portal and just got the top recruiting classes. If a player doesn't want to commit to Oregon or Georgia, the Ducks and Dawgs will be fine; the recruiting pipeline will continue to flow. Recruiting, the Portal, are open to every team, the teams that on top of their game will reap the benefits. Lanning has mixed recruiting/portaling as well as it can be done. There are some coaches that don't have '27 prospects, most teams that are in the upper level with Oregon have '26 covered, but I doubt seriously that any team has it all covered as well as Oregon does. The old "Oregon Way" of coaching, developing players needs to step aside for the new "Oregon Way"

I'm certain he is.

Great article, David, It is interesting that if it had been Saban, or Day even, who had employed the "12 on the field" strategy it would have been hailed as a stroke of genius. The picture of Gabriel, he couldn't be holding the ball more wrong!!! I accept that guiding your team to an undefeated season and No.1 ranking disqualifies Lanning from winning this convoluted award, but the hype around, "I win, google me" Cignetti, was more relentless, and self-perpetuated, than was Hunter's Heisman hype, unwarranted also compared to what Dillingham accomplished at Arizona State. Klatt has come around and now picks the Ducks to win the championship, some other's do as well. But as long as announcers still refer to Oregon as a "finesse" team, it's going to take time.

No, not that Pick, and ignore the first one. College Football Playoff bracket picks, predictions: Who will win first 12-team playoff? SPORTS.YAHOO.COM The 2024 college football season was rife with drama, from beginning to end. Now it's time to determine a champion.

It absolutely would. A lot of people were worried that would happen expanding from 4, but that become so exclusive, expansion had to happen, 14-16, would still have the, "making the playoffs" feel. But 24? Sorry, future Pop Tart Bowl MVP.

It's completely shallow to revel in the shortcomings and mishaps of other teams, players, coaches...but it's so EASY!

It just had to be Twice as BIG Ward, who played in the 2021 FCS playoffs with Incarnate Word, had a suggestion for the Playoff committee going forward. He believes the “sweet spot” for the CFP field would be between 16-24 teams, more like how the FCS does it. The FCS has 24 teams in its field, and if the FBS had the same number, Ward’s Hurricanes would be Playoff-bound.

Thanks, Prime, we'll take him from here, The first stop of his FBS career was at Colorado, where he played special teams during the 2022 season. However, after the arrival of head coach Deion Sanders, Harkey found himself part of the mass exodus from Boulder. Over 60 players transferred out under Sanders’ new regime, and Harkey, looking for a more fitting opportunity, landed at Texas State. He has seen a lot with three different transfers and four stops along the way. Harkey saw firsthand how Colorado coach Deion Sanders approached some Buffalo players and whether they fit into his system and culture. Harkey didn’t and moved on to Texas State where he turned into a very good player. Sanders’ loss is now Oregon’s gain.

Hunter’s triumph marked a symbolic response to the criticisms levied after the Oregon loss, proving that the Buffaloes were playing for far more than clicks. No, it shows that's exactly what they were playing for.

It's good that Oregon doesn't NEED the respect from other fanbases, the media, or the teams, though it will be present there before any of the others. "Oregon hasn't paid its dues" is one retort, accompanied by the even more laughable, "Oregon just bought their championship!? which has been solidly rebuked. If they don't comprehend the multi-layered strategies Oregon has used to build their program, then they're being completely hypocritical because none of the players Oregon bought are 1st Team All- Americans. Oregon crashed the B1G, and is playing their music loud, they'll never be welcomed, but their grass will always be GREEN!

That is exactly what happened, with Colorado not even making their CCG, Hunter did end up the season piling up stats, playing for clicks, while Gabriel was leading his team to an undefeated season and No.1 ranking.

It will be an advantage, for them. But, with Gabriel at QB, and just the overall experience, confidence, OBD have, it won't destabilize them that much.

Joel Klatt predicts Oregon Ducks as national championship winners DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks are officially Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt’s pick to win the national championship this...

Going with Kirby is Smart. But I'll argue that Oregon's defense is closer to Georgia's D, than Georgia's offense, with Beck or the back-up, is to Oregon's, and I don't think playing in Atlanta will be that much of an advantage for the Dawgs.

Oregon Ducks Snubbed By AP All-American Team? Dillon Gabriel, Derrick Harmon WWW.SI.COM With the regular college football season over, the No. 1 Oregon Ducks are the last undefeated team standing with a 13-0 record...

Wow. I completely forgot about the automatic conference champion getting in. Excluding Georgia in that case because of Beck getting injured would have resulted in chaos, ESPN definitely wouldn't want, especially because Georgia is SEC. But, if Georgia wasn't guaranteed the slot by winning the conference, did they still deserve to get in? If so, was FSU really treated unfairly?

I treasure and respect the past of Oregon football as much as anyone, but that is the past. One thing Oregon is known for now is innovation, doing things a new way. Chip changed the way the game is played, isn't that right, Nick Saban? If a coach is really good, he'll get offered jobs. But if they look down, they'll see the grass is really green here. Dillingham took a gamble, and it paid off, but Stein jumped in and has done a great job. Coaching staffs aren't going to stay intact for20-30 years anymore. To Portal or not to Portal? We can't say it won't work, with the success of Nix and Gabriel. But having a revolving QBs probably isn't sustainable, Nix and Gabriel were perfect fits. The Ducks are still recruiting high level QB's. Lanning and the staff will make it work. Oregon has a stocked QB room, high level recruits set for the future; the Portal will be there.

We all remember the big story last year. FSU was going great, until their quarterback went down. The argument wasn't whether it affected the team or not, everybody agreed it would. The argument was did that make any difference. The answer ultimately was that FSU without their quarterback was not the team that had played so well all season, so they were out. This year, Georgia lost their quarterback before the Playoffs started. Not only was Georgia not dropped from the Playoffs, they moved up to No.2, that was mainly due to Oregon beating previous No,2, Penn State, but still, the biggest discussion was whether Alabama or SMU should get the last spot. There was no thought that Georgia, who had not had nearly as dominant a season as FSU had, should still be in, without their quarterback. Why was there no questioning about Georgia's viability?

It will be hard, but I don't see a team more likely to do it, especially not the 4 teams that will have to win 4 straight games.

Go with the Master, Zacharia!

My takeaway regarding Oregon, Three of the first 5 games are against power conference opponents and a 5th against rival Oregon State, still a quality opponent at this juncture. They are Conference Champion.

That is unfortunate for the QB, the upside is that Franklin isn't happy about it.

This guy will be there, won't he?