David Marsh

Not in any of the top power two programs that's for sure. He'll probably start at Cal against ACC competition. Assuming he goes to Cal. I'm absolutely sure that Lanning only offered him the chance to compete. Lanning isn't the kind of coach who guarantees anything.

I have absolutely zero information on this and it is pure conjecture. But it wouldn't surprise me to find out that this team had that horrid norovirus rip through the team. It's that really bad stomach bug. It's going through my family right now and though it is gone in 24-48 hours it still creates some lingering discomfort. This team just didn't play with the usual fire. And a stomach bug that knocks you in your butt would absolutely take the fight out of them. Again... I have no information about this.

Where is Evan Stewart? I scanned another board and saw no mention there. Is he sick? I find it hard to believe he'd opt out.

Giving up 34...

They look more overmatched. When small plays big the small player can win but they need to be perfect every time. Big takes advantage of any little mistakes. ASU has a good offensive line and good players... For the Big 12 but the Big 12 isn't he SEC and Texas has been one of the best recruiters in the SEC. They're in another league.

It's another roster game.

Ohio State's defense has only played an offense of Oregon's caliber once. They have put up very good defensive stats against teams with meh offenses. L We all know full well that Lanning and Stein are looking at how Ohio State has changed and are going to exploit it at every turn. Then they probably have a counter to the counter ready as well. Remember the first Ducks vs Them when Lanning said "your jabs are good enough but when we go for the haymaker rise to the moment" or something to that effectively.

They abandoned the run last time and only had 19 rushing yards in the second half. Most of Ohio States rush yards in the last match were off only a few plays. Oregon I'd say is vulnerable to the explosive run. A lot of runs go for short gains.

I can guarantee one or two plays that will be completely bonkers out of Lanning.

Looks like it will be a team from the ACC officiating the Rose Bowl. 2024-25 bowl officiating assignments WWW.FOOTBALLZEBRAS.COM Officiating crew conference assignments for the 2024-25 bowl games. That kinda makes me feel better. Not dealing with B1G refs who might be more interested in protecring the Blue Bloods than being objective. Then again... The ACC let Miami get away with murder this year. So I don't know... And I don't know these particular refs either.

Lanning is recruiting his own roster. This is an outstanding piece of recruiting. And don't be surprised to see him make an appearance in the playoff where redshirts are preserved already. In this era it's rare to hear about a player willing to redshirt, after having seen the field the previous year, and then return to the same school.

Well that graphic is certainly prettier than mine... Which was just made in excel.

Fun fact I JUST realized about the Heisman candidates. All the non-Duck Heisman candidates have lost to Oregon at some point in their careers. But wait... Travis Hunter was injured in 23 and didn't play against the Ducks. Ok... Sure, but he was on that Colorado team and let's be real, if he played was the outcome of that game going to change? NO! Turns out not playing the Ducks can help your Heisman ambitions. Gabriel is a class act and I'm hoping he achieves his end goal.

None of our tightends were a big factor in the passing game... Or at least the scoring aspect of the passing game until recently. They have evolved as a team and are doing stuff now at the end of the season they weren't doing in the first half. Ohio State has reached their height a few times but they have also blundered greatly against Michigan. But Ohio States ceiling still feels lower than Oregon's and I feel that had more to do about coaching then players.

Since 2010 Oregon has been to the most Rose Bowls and won the most Rose Bowls. This will be their 5th appearance since 2010 and we have gone 3-1 since then. Our last Rose Bowl loss was to Ohio State on the conclusion of the 2009 season. The Ducks have come a LONG way since then. It's weird this year because I think this may be the first time that the B1G is guaranteed to win the Rose Bowl.

I guess you can say their season's aspirations crumbled.

Hmm... This Alamo Bowl seemed to come down to something as simple as the scrimmage. BYU owned it and Colorado made a few spectacular athletic plays but those don't sustain a game, season or championship. If the Buffs played the Ducks this year Shedeur would have been sacked ten times.

Gotta hand it to the Pop Tart Bowl... They went all out on bowl branding and this was an incredible showing by Pop Tarts. I mean the trophy was also a toaster. They had sprinkle decorations on the field. They had a Pop Tart mascot be incinerated and turned into a cooked pop tart that was then consumed by the winning players. It was the least Mario Cristobal Bowl Game ever! But it featured Mario Cristobal! Freaking amazing!

Competitive tag has more defense than this.

I've gone after Whittington before and he immediately proved me wrong. But last year's running back tandum of Irving and James I think was much stronger. Whittington just isn't as consistent as either of them and gets stopped a lot easier. I'm looking forward to seeing what Riggs can do next year.

I love Mariota but I'm not sure he would fit this offense like Gabriel does. However... Justin Herbert in this offense would be a nightmare for any team.

Lanning has no issue bringing in a player who may end up sitting on the bench. Jay Harris is the case and point. He has had some flashes when he's had a chance to touch the ball but there is a reason he isn't in rotation.

I have for years! They have been just like the B1G. A very strong top but a significant drop off afterwards. But this year is debate how strong the top is.

Keep in mind lines are established to separate fans from their money and take a bet. Ohio State is favored in part because their fanbase is bigger and this is anyway to hedge their bets to get buckeyes to put money down while also ensuring Vegas can still win. In a way I'm reading this line as an Oregon line because the bets will come in for Ohio State but if you're the house trying to make money on this one who do you actually want to cover? Oregon. Which means there is some faith Oregon creates problems for Ohio State and can cover the spread and potentially win outright. Betting lines aren't always predictions but are always about separating people from their money.

If they want to keep the farse of making the playoffs means a shot at the NC. Most aren't that level of quality. Including conference champions is fine with this format to me. It did create a level of excitement down the stretch. But getting an automatic bid doesn't not mean they should get an automatic bye. The rankings are the rankings and they determine the seeding. So ASU would have gotten the 11 seed, as that is where No. 12 but jumped Bama because of the CC. Then Clemson is No. 12 because they get in because of the CC, just like it happened. But Boise would be no. 9 they earned their way in without the CC but they don't get to jump up to no. 3 and get an auto bye. Personally... If like to see de-facto conference champions not have to play a CCG. And there being a play in game or two in its place. But that would mean less money potentially... But maybe not. There was no background drama in Oregon v Penn State as they were both locks for the playoff.