EagleScoutJim

Here’s my overall take, subject to change as reality strikes in the coming months: 1) What will Oregon’s record be and how far will they get in the playoffs? 11-1 (with a loss NOT at Happy Valley), and OBD will make it to the finals. 2) Will there be a dominant team in college football? I agree with the overall consensus- no. 3) What the heck will happen with Lincoln Riley and USC? Another ‘meh’ season, with lots of chatter on the boards about getting rid of LR, but no action taken. 4) Will there be any changes to the playoff seedings and who deserves a first-round bye? A definite ‘maybe’. I can see a reseeding after the Conference Championships, with the top 4 getting a bye. 5) How will the SEC “rebound” from having only three teams in the playoff? They won’t. 6) Will a team not from the SEC, B1G, or named Notre Dame make the semi-finals? It is definitely a possibility. ASU almost (and short of crappy officiating, would have) took down Texas. 7) Will Michigan and Alabama bounce back? I think that it is realistic to believe that they will. DeBoer is a good coach, has a steering staff, and recruits well. It took Saban several years to conquer the world. There is no reason to believe KD won’t as well. As for Michigan, it’s year 2 of the rebuild. I expect to see growth. Will Dante Moore succeed at quarterback? Yep, though the going might be rough in the first game or two before he settles into a groove. After that, lights out! 9) Will the Ducks lose a coordinator? Maybe 2? Not this year. I think everyone sticks around for another championship run. 10) What is your gut feeling for 2025? I feel pretty good about it. DL and staff know how to coach and motivate. I think the players have bought in. 11-1 after another slow start. Montana State is going to play us hard!

Too bad we aren’t playing tOSU as well, then we’d have the OSUs1-3 covered

Yes, F was too high a grade

Gosh, I guess I’m just an optimistic homer, but I think we WILL make the playoffs again next year, though maybe not as the undefeated #1 seed.

I think that’s the problem. The vast majority of true freshman aren’t anywhere near being in a condition to start.. just ask Dante. In the NFL it’s even more problematic. How many rookies successfully start (Last year’s class of 4+ multi-year starters like Bo are the exception)? If they do, their careers often end early due to both injuries and playing for teams in ‘rebuild’ mode (Mariota at Tenn is a great example). i think I buy into the idea that he saw what he was going to be up against, not just next year, but for the years that follow as well. Smart for the kid to find a team where he could be the #2 for a year, learn the system, and let a team get built around him. My $0.02

Is it September yet?

I am confident that Dan’s message to the team was one of how proud he was of the effort, work ethic, brotherhood, and growth as both players and men they each demonstrated week after week this year, and that they should hold their heads high over what they achieved. i also believe that he would say that he and the coaches take full responsibility for the failures in the game today. i would agree with both.

It’s not rooting for the fuskies - it’s pulling for the B1G over ‘the toughest’ conference lol

I think what tOSU will suffer from is overconfidence. They have forgotten that they did in fact lose the last game with Oregon - it wasn’t magically gifted to the Ducks. Moreover, all they have heard from the press in the last week is that they are the anointed ones. Sure, they say the Ducks are good, but that we got lucky last game. The truth is, no one ‘knows’ what the outcome will be. Both fan bases want this win. I know how hard our guys have worked to get us here. Win or lose, I believe both the players and coaches will do us proud. As someone who watched The Toilet Bowl, I want to say “thank you” for all the blood, sweat, and tears throughout the years. GO DUCKS

Kalen is a good coach. I can’t imagine the ‘noise’ from ‘high tide’ fans throughout the year. listen to Nick describe his first year experience:

It is consistently hilarious (and frustrating) that the talking heads can’t seem to make their minds up about OBD. It strikes me that all the waffling and betting siding with tOSU may honestly represent fear - fear that the traditional perspective of blue bloods ultimately winning out is in serious jeopardy. The Ducks ascendancy represents a shift in how college football is played and teams are managed in the 21st century. With the rise of the portal, NIL, and players having more control over their own college careers, the Apple Cart is being upset in real time. This reality has pushed commentators and fan bases alike outside of their comfort zones. What is left for an SEC or B1G homer to do but decry and minimize the successes this year of teams like OBD and even ASU?

Altoona has an interesting history. The Pennsylvania Railroad had their shops there, the horseshoe curve was just outside of town, and of course there was Curve beer (there is a new craft brewery making a similarly named beer).

If only DT hadn’t been completely terrified of Nick Fairly…

Oregon currently has 2 QBs starting in the NFL, and a 3rd as a backup. Dillon will make it 4

Ducks 31-28 2 TO (both interceptions - one off a Burch tipped ball) 4 Sacks (yes, 4) 325 yds (with 3 passing TD’s for the record)

I’m in for 2

With the two teams matched so well, this game could easily be a high scoring offensive display, a low scoring defensive battle, or anywhere in between. Whoever scores first and when may ultimately determine who carries the momentum. This is what college football should be! With all that being said, I think it will be a squeaker: 31-28 Oregon

While delusional OSU2 fans will whine, complain, call for beheadings, among other delights when the Nuts loose to OBD again, I will be truly surprised if Day is fired. As much as they might WANT a change at the top, who in the coaching carousel will there be to grab (or would want the job)?

I would not be at all surprised if Coach Sabin had a heart to heart with Dan about the harsh reality of coaching in the NFL vs college. Not only is the grass not always greener, if you are lucky enough to be at a university that has your back, and provides you with the resources to succeed, the opportunity to build an effective and successful organization far exceeds the momentary ‘high’ of getting a HC position in the NFL.

Let us not forget Dan Fouts…

Whoa there… let’s win one first. I like the spirit, but crap happens (key injuries, suspensions - we’ve been THERE before, crappy refs, etc). Not saying it will be a one and done, but 3 more games including the natty (thank you Cliff).

Ducks 24-17 1 TO 2 Sacks 310 passing I think our run game is going to struggle. On the other side, I think they are going to have a time of possession of 38 minutes. We win through the air this time around

It should be, “Quack havoc…”

He can’t even go to Alabama under Sabin to be rehabbed anymore…

It will be interesting to watch who hits the transfer portal to and from Oregon. I am hopeful that DL and staff have been transparent enough with these players that they realize few will start day one, and that it might be a year and a day before they see the field. I think a lot of the current transfer portal traffic is due to feeding the unreal expectations that some of these kids have going into a program, any program. Most have dreams of the bright lights of the NFL. Out of the 133 Division I teams, in any year there are only a maximum of 224 players drafted. Out of those, how many actually sign and play on Sundays? I would hope the selling point would be, we’ll Coach you up, and get you on the field when you’re ready. In the mean time, take advantage of the free education and enjoy the college life.