1Funduck

It’s becoming ever more clear that rankings mean nothing. I believe it’s what the powers that be want in the end. Just grab the top 3 teams from each Power conference. Then grab the 4 highest ranked left overs for the ‘At Large’ spots and be done with it. Well represented and Anotre Lame team gets its shot as well.

It wasn't long ago that your average team considered it a successful year if they played a New Years bowl game. This meant you were a contender in your conference and each game you held your breath because the air was relatively rare. To go 10-2 was a stellar year and 11-1 or better was euphoric to say the least. This is not the case anymore. Now? Lose one game and your school asks for your head. Lose two games and the media is writing stories about your HC's ability to retain his job. Lose 3 games in the same year? Buy out a $50 million contract. (4) but who's counting? Oregon State has a new coach mid-season, so does Oklahoma St., Penn St, Florida, Arkansas, UCLA, VA Tech, Colorado St, Alabama-Birmingham. Is Wisconsin next? Some of those teams needed it. But, mid-season? ....maybe. In my opinion we are seeing an overall change in expectation due to NIL. Schools, and their donors, are now allowed to drop serious money into their programs. One must ask, "If I donate $50 grand then shouldn't I get some return on my investments?" If the program receives 'Investments' that are north of $20 million then what's your expectation? Ohio St is rumored at $35 million. Texas Tech $28 million. A quick Google search revealed that 15-20 teams have 'Invested' in the neighborhood of $20 million and up. Why? Not to come in 2nd place. And yet 8 of them won't even make the playoffs. The reality is that over the last 25 years most of the teams that have won a NC are named LSU, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio St, and Clemson. We have some singles in there and of course they are mostly Blue Bloods. NIL has evened the field to be sure...Texas Tech anyone? Indiana is a darling of a story. Will they be a perennial power? If the NIL comes then they will demand it. And don't think for a second that Oregon won't (has already) drift(ed) into this thinking. It wasn't long ago that we all knew Oregon was punching above their weight. It wasn't until the last 2 full years we started seeing the difference. The results of the Cool school with the cash to flash has this team vying for a National Championship last year as well as this year. But, ask yourself, 'if Oregon was a 10-2 team 3 years in a row, how much howling would be going on? Would Lanning be on the Hot seat? This is the face of ALL college football now. 10-2 is not enough. It's playoffs, first, period. We all would rather have a playoff bid rather than a conference championship. Fair enough. But, would you fire your coach that got you there just last year because they had a poor showing this year. Possibly. Storied programs have little patience anymore. The investment is too great.

(Sigh)😔… I miss the PAC, but I respect playing tOSU and Michigan. I miss the regional rivalries, but I love playing in multiple storied stadiums. I hated the disrespect that nobody seemed to watch the PAC, now I’m one of them. Potential $30 million vs $100+ million come 2030? No brainer. Reaching retirement age and I was looking forward to traveling around the PAC to watch Oregon play. Would take probably 3-4 years overall, but it sounded like a great journey to start in retirement. Now??!!!! I get 17 teams AND it’s the BIG House, The Shoe, Happy(Not so) Valley White Out at Night, Rutgers/Maryland mainly for the 400 years of history around every corner plus the win, doing the HawkEye wave to the kids in the hospital that have a view of the game(Are You Kidding Me??!! Who wouldn’t want to do that??!!). My options have greatly improved. Besides, I still get to go to the Rose Bowl(garbage venue where you can’t see the field) and the Coliseum(Broke down venue). I like my new ‘PAC(k)….errrrr…B1G!!

Oregon is not Penn St nor Wisconsin. Oregon is Oregon. They have adopted multiple unis. Its their tradition. Clothing for the fans isn't what the fans tend to do. Cant seem to get everyone on the same page in the stands so let's just focus on those Screaming Unis this week! Thats the coolest uniform combination I've ever seen. I truly hope that the numbers turn bold Mallard green when the light hits just right. Just....Cool!!!!

WSU is shooting themselves in the foot this game and still up 14-10!! Ole Miss is Ole so average at best!!

SEC is the deepest conference? Says who? They are getting exposed by WSU as average at best. Texas is average. Alabama and Mizz are playing an average game.

Oregon has just now entered rarified air with the highest percentage recruits in these past few recruiting cycles. #4 average percentage for 2024, #1 for 2025, and currently #1 for 2026. Everyone has their own rankings and some claim to be better, but the reality is Oregon is compiling a, top of the line, roster. It takes 3-4 years to bring it all together. An above average QB can win it all with a stellar line, a solid RB, an above average receiver or two and top tier line with everyone knowing how to block. Then have nearly equal 2nd string to back them up. It's lining up to be this year or next year. I'm going with next year. But, surprise me and make me a happy man come January!

recruiting these days isn't about incoming freshmen but incoming Redshirt Freshmen/Sophomores. If they are lifelong Duck fans but the coin is much greener, I don't blame them. You get one shot at generational money. Set your family up. But, when you have that first ridiculous payout, then consider the Ducks with a transfer, for a slightly lesser payout of course.

I can't believe I'm saying this. 1) continue recruiting kids that WANT to come to Oregon 2) when these 4/5* kids are 2/3rd string somewhere else and aren't playing yet, portal them to Oregon 3) I think you would clean up the stratospheric cost for the unproven High schooler for the hungry Red Shirt Freshman Portal is a reality, and this is the new CFB. NFL only gets ~$1 million per year guaranteed. This is insane!!!

Here's your top games for that most beautiful Saturday: Also, price of 'Tix as low as' Alabama @ Georgia $442 Oregon @ Penn St. $199 OSU @ UW $166 ND @ Arkansas $172 USC @ Illinois. $45 Money talks. These are the games people want to see in this order preseason. Therefore, the B1G game will scream Noon kickoff, but Penn St only has Nebraska as its other big home game for 2025. There is no reason that Penn ST and Oregon won't be both top 5 come 9/27/25. It's a MONSTER!! Sunset is at 7:09 on that day. A 7:00pm kickoff would be enormous! It would get the most eyeballs. I believe the highlight game is obviously Georgia/Alabama. So, what time is that game going to be? That's the question. I truly hope that U$C/Ill plays Big noon and Oregon / PSU plays night game. I have a hard time seeing Washington playing the 9:00am game. It would be a mild travesty if Oregon plays 9:00am EST as well as Jet Lag. Actually, ridiculous might not be a strong enough word.

NFL contracts have 'guaranteed' money and then 'performance' bonuses money. Yes, there are signing bonuses, but there needs to be some sense of base pay and then performances pay linked to individual as well as team accomplishments. Also, when I first saw Nic's name a few years back, I couldn't help but pronounce his name 'I am uh leave uh'. Prophetic???

So, does a $100 million+ per year payday from the B!G starting in 2030 warrant a $75 million exit fee? You bet it does! The payouts in the B!G are performance based as well. Get into the playoffs and you get a sizable bonus. Really, the payout discrepancy would be equaled within a couple of years but the real value is the match uos thag come from being in the B!G. Loys of eyeballs watch Great games like Clemson-vs-Michigan, not Clemson-vs-Wake Forest. Thays just reality

Oregon up to #2 in 2025 recruiting cycle and #1 for player averages. Wowza!!!

I've hated Poll Natty's since the beginning of time. You win? You're in. Playoffs solve the gripe. Win your conference then win the playoffs...period. We didn't win so therefore we are only B1G champions. I'll take that.

They truly do not know what they are demanding. What happens if you are 'forced' to NIL pay these kids by the department of education? Then that means the DOE is controlling the schools and that in turn means that getting paid by said school means you are potentially a government worker. This in turn means that you get to 'retire' with state benefits. Now, what happens if these kids get paid millions of dollars per year only to transfer every year to a different school in a different state? 5 state pensions? Really? How about this? Title IX linked to profit sharing in said sport you get a scholly from? (sigh) (ugh)

..........no.

Texas' loss was on their weakness that has been seen all year. Consistent QB play. Just my $.02.

The narrative being talked about with Oregon, is really about the playoff format. They say Oregon, I'm appreciative. But, make no mistake, this argument is about getting the powers that be to move the playoff format in 'THIS' offseason. They are trying to stir up controversy. Make it a groundswell of controversy by writing endless articles. I believe go ahead and make it a 16 team playoff. Start the Bowl season with the first round on the 15th or so. 1/16 2/15 and so on. Games played every 10 days. Christmas eve has the Elite 8. NYD has the Final 4. The Natty around the 10th. No more than a 10 day bi-week layoff in all this.

Which conference has the best bowl record? Then ask, how did the B1G measure up to the SEC, you know, the conference that just means more? MSN WWW.MSN.COM 4-1

Whoa Whoa Whoa mi' compadre's!!! The sky is NOT falling, it's opening up. Our own expectations are the reason the pain is as intense as it was this year. Next year we WILL be better. Most of those kids are going to gain a year of size and maturity. Sure, we have a sizable bunch moving on but please remember, these kids are only in their 2nd to 4th year of manhood. They grow enormously in this timeframe. I'm going to add another POV; Ohio St recruiting efforts the last 5 years avg rating starting in 2021 is 95.05, 94.17, 93.31, 92.79, 92.25. Oregon's " " is 92.48, 90.78, 90.90, 92.19, 93.85. Clearly we are behind overall in quality of players, but not by much. These kids need some time to grow. Sure, I know all about portal, but so does Ohio St, Add to this that Oregon is ranked #1 for 2025 AND 2026 and we have the makings for success over the next several years. It simply takes a bit of time. Now, to reassure many of us all, Oregon is LOADED with 5* and very high 4* talent at the skill positions. QB, WR, CB and RB. The road graders are showing up as well. Take into account that Oregon's path to the B1G championship game is about as easy as Indianas season this year and its no wonder that we are slated for #2 in the country. After all, we DID beat OS this year. And the Coaching is only going to get better. I'm extremely excited about our next 2 years. It's lining up beautifully. Now, we just need to get as determined on the field as OS was after their loss to UM and it should all come together.

This is the nature of College football today. Sign then unsign. My favorite formula is let the scholarships get eaten up by D-Lineman. Let the NIL pay out for D Lineman as they are the most impactful spot on the roster other than QB. Problem is, QB is getting serious cash and you have 3-5 of them. Keep 2 highly touted recruits and then 'Purchase' a top 5 2 year veteran. He will have 2-3 years of playing time. See if the cream rises to the top.

B!G against SEC is 4-1. Just sayin. SEC better get past this round. They won't make the semis. ND and Oregon will make sure of that.

sure wish Iowa would have pulled it out. But, alas, Iowa was an 8-4 team in a supposedly weak B1G conference and took Mizz to the edge. Still should have won. Come on Michigan! Please send the elephants home with a loss

Oregon has been getting 0 to no respect in the runup to The Rose Bowl. 'Lyle', Ohio, wants to stop The Duck.... But The Duck has other plans... We Got a Convoy!! First stop? Pasadena!