1Funduck

Well stated. This is the point I was trying to convey. There will be a lot more schools vying for Championships due to a spreading around of the talent. Alabama will continue to be great but they are about to get claustrophobic with all the schools vying for Championships. It won't be long.

I'm going to respectfully disagree with your assessment about the Northern schools. OSU is being built slowly and methodically. Their defensive line was notable all year. UW is righting the ship. I want to spank those puppies every year but they are not hapless anymore. Miracle? For UW I think not. OSU should have lost by a ton, but their team is getting methodically better. They are a QB away as their bowl proved. Current QB is getting a ton better.

I was raised around commercial fishing and found I still have a very eerie calling for it. It's a long lost friend calling to me from just out of site whenever I smell the sea air. I reminisce about being woken at 4:00am to go and set scows, while the tide was in, so that we had 'tubs' to fill with oysters we picked. I hated getting up that early as a teenager but I now find myself yearning for 'just one more tide'. My grandfather has long passed away and most of the family has either sold off or just plain moved away. I'm not sad for the ending, I'm incredibly grateful for the journey. I swam in live Sand Dollar beds where these 'black', not white, creatures would stand on their side to eat. It was old hat to a teenager. It simply was a break from working the tide. Since my coming of age, the realization that the family business could only support so few left nearly all of my cousins to find other work, myself included. The rules had changed. No longer was Land cheap enough to buy and support a family. Big money wanted beach front property in the Puget Sound and our generation was priced out. I have since taken the work ethic my father has instilled in me so long ago, waking at anywhere from 12:00am-4:00am working the tides, to starting my own business, at 17 years of age, and not looking back. It's been a long road full of fulfillment with training my children the value of 'getting up early' and going to work. And, I get to work with 2 of my adult children every week, a true blessing. This brings me to Alabama. For so long, there have only been a few sitting at the top of CFB. Their recruiting has been legendary. Whether it be U$C, tOSU, Georgia, Alabama, or any of the top tier schools, it's been a crowded group with an occasional hopeful little brother within striking distance. But, the Tides are changing. It's interesting about a tide. You don't see the mean low tide, you only know it's happening by looking at the Tide Book and your watch. You can't see the water moving back in but if you wait a few minutes then you realize you are standing in a skim of water. You are still at peak working conditions. Alabama has just recruited a powerhouse class. To be fair, the top 15 schools all look the same. But, make no mistake, the Tide is changing. The Portal is changing everything. Alabama transfers to Oregon and to other BIG12 schools. The sheer number is astounding. AtM is no different. While the Powerhouses of football will, by and large, not change overall, the cluster at the top is going to get huge IMO. The turnaround for any of these teams to be a contender will be astounding. Tennessee proved it can be done. Texas and U$C jumped in winning this past year due as well. Washington was pathetic last year and was 1 game from winning a trip to Vegas, and so was Or. ST. Will Alabama continue to vie for a NC? You bet! Will they win back to back championships in the future? It's possible but highly unlikely. I would venture that the Tide has changed for all of CFB. The reshuffle every year from the Portal and with truck loads of cash is truly leveling the playing field. You can't quite see it yet, just like the turn of the tide, but it will start to rush in and it will overtake us and force us to readjust. You can't stop the tide, you can only hope to beat it. Alabama is NOT done. But, Alabama's days are numbered as being at the top year in and year out. Nick Saban loathes the Portal. It's simply a matter of time before he succumbs to the tide as well. Best for them to enjoy what time they have left. It won't be long before a different conference wins it all and it just might be a year or two in between Championships. It might be a year or two between the SEC having a Championship! The Tides, they be a changin'. It would behoove them all to learn how to swim. Right now, we are Ducks out of water but, Ducks are great swimmers. ......Tide is coming in.

Is it just me or does Silva look like a Road Grader? That Dude looks huuuge!!

Oregon State crushes Flo-Rida 30-3 The PAC 1-0 The SEC 0-1 Because it just means more! WSU -vs- Fresno St. 6-29 The PAC 1-1 Wake Forest -vs- Missouri 27-17 Yeah! It Just Means More!!!! The SEC 0-2 The PAC 1-1

Thats the best move for DJ. I wanted him more but OR ST. just got a TON better!! Look the stink out!!!

U$C is so scared. Washington-on the rise Oregon-owned them for the last 15+ years Utah-informed them they are better even when their QB is not 100%. U$C is so scared that they are running from the PAC. Their little brother, UClowns LA, is riding the coat tails as well. I'm just seeing complete melt down by Tro-Jan-Man

I think DJ is going to be hard pressed to be on a perennial power house team and think he wins the starting job. But, with 3 years of eligibility, DJ could take over for a Rose Bowl caliber team playing in the Playoffs. This is about exposure. Or. St. would give it to him if he so chose. But, the PAC is a better chance for exposure than Hawaii.

Hmmm, #1-Bo #2-DJ- plays a series or two each game to stay warm #3-Novosad-Red Shirts but gets some 4 game playing time. Ty Thompson Portal Combats! Come on over DJ! Bowen was reportedly going to get upwards of $2 million and who even knows about Hicks. I'm sure there is $1 million or so out there to stack the QB roster.

I LOVE the angle of recruiting from the Portal. Limit the payout for Freshmen. Let these kids prove it in their freshman season and Portal them in. 4-5* means nothing as a HS recruit. Don't get me wrong, I want the 5* as much as anyone. But, I want Patrick Chungs. 2* comes in and gets to the League.

"Respect my Decision". Which one? When you play games like you have then you can't be respected. He 'made' is decision to ND He 'Made' his decision to Oregon He 'Made' is decision to OU I'm just curious, does he even know what his decision is? This kind of talent will be sorely missed, but this kind of drama Will Not Be Missed! Thank you for moving on. We'll take the cash now and fill Hicks tight fist even more thank you.

Where in the world does Crystal Balls get their info? Does that family talk with everyone else but themselves? If he comes to Oregon then I'm stoked. But, Noone, and I mean NOONE knows where that kid is going until his letter is sitting in a HC's office printer tray.

I'm taking off my Duck colored glasses for a minute here. Parents have a responsibility to guide their children through life as they enter adulthood. But, guidance doesn't mean forcing. Parents need to remember that they have made their own decisions in life as well. It's best to share the pros and cons with these kids and then support their kids decision. After all, this Young man will be living with his dreams and regrets the rest of his life. Best to educate and then let them make their own decision and support them. Duck glasses back on; COME ON BOWEN!! Come to Oregon!!!!!!

Wow! 19 kids transfered out! 19!!! We have 5 transfers coming with a 4* grade except the Alabama kid, he's 3*. Seems to me that DL is having heart to hearts with all the kids and giving them a grade. Oregon ja getting the right fit for what's coming next. A 'Winners' culture! According to DL, the 'new' kids want to be here and we shouldn't expect Portal transfers from 'His recruits'. After all, no Freshmen hit the portal this year. Just Wow! ..... to it all.

I'm confident that Colorado will bring in some headliners to build up the Rep of the PAC, but it's not looking great this year. He might get a few, but currently, Colorado is not even in the top 50 for this year. I thought Coach Prime was bringing 'his own luggage'. Hmmmmm.....

This RC should have everyone scared that isn't Oregon. We used to dream of this kind of class when U$C was hauling them in like that. Jealous is what we were. Booyah!!!!!!!

I don't think its anything. The kid needs to go through 'His Day'. He may send it at anytime and could make it part of 'His Day' sending it off after some hooplah.

Nah, she looked shocked he picked ND. Then she looked emotionally relieved with Oregon.

As a fan, I am bummed. But, being fair, every top 5-10 QB knows they are going to get paid and be instant millionaires. If the first year doesn't work then you can transfer to a team that is ready made and only missing a Caleb Williams for a run to the Natty. From these kids perspective, it's easy to see that the NIL money is part of the equation now. They may love a school, but they love their bank account more. We as fans have been 'Loyal' for decades. I have to ask, were we this loyal on day 'One' of choosing the Ducks as 'Our Team'? I don't think so. If, on day one, we had a full ride scholarship to Stanford based purely on our SAT scores, would we be willing to chose the Tree over the Duck? Yeah, we would. That's because we hadn't built our loyalty to any school at the time. We were looking for the correct/best path for our future. Now, if someone gave me a Scholarship to Stanford based solely on SAT score and was willing to 'Pay' me with NIL as well? What would I do? What would you do? You are loyal to your family first. They have not donned the Green and Yellow for even one day. Loyalty has not been established for any school. We shouldn't be surprised at all if they pivot direction.

Anything is possible right? Dante isn't a lock for UCLA IMO. They are bringing in a portal QB. Oregon is also bringing an outstanding Portal roster so far. Just hang on folks, let the handwringing commence after Wednesday. I want them all, but if we get 2/5 we should be ecstatic. Oregons offense with BONIX next year is going to be favored to win the PAC, even with Caleb Williams in the conference. Duck On!!!

It's life. But, my heart still aches for the poor and misguided kids going into the portal that haven't done their own DD. If the coach says you can't crack the 3 deep and you are a sophomore/junior? Be very careful here. Coach isn't saying he won't let you on the field because he has a grudge, you're just not better than the guys ahead of you. If you aren't better, then what makes you think you will get picked up by another school to showcase your talents? Your talents aren't good enough to showcase. Stay put and get your degree. Showcase your education. However, Bo Nix is a prime example of a transfer that was not being utilized to his potential. The offense didn't know how to use him and tried to fit a round peg in a square hole. Bucky Irving and Noah Whittingham come to mind as well. Another type of portal guy would be someone who has 3-4 guys ahead of him on a perennial top 5 team. Loaded with 5* talent. Yes, it's the same as my earlier synopsis of kids down the roster. But, not all situations are the same, right. I believe there are a smorgasbord of Portal Players that are way above average, with the right make up and desire, and without having to mortgage the farm to bring them in. In principal, to the kids and the loyalty of the fans, I don't like how the Portal is morphing into free agency with academic destruction for such a high percentage of kids. But, in reality, Oregon is going to get ALOT better in the coming years because of it. A disruptive NT, a chaotic DE, a proven and heady QB with a couple serviceable RB's as his sidekicks. Everyone else, Offensive line included, can be a consistent top 300 player and get the job done.

It was a last second turnover that sunk the Utes. They had that game won.

I took a look at the last few years of recruiting. I specifically was looking at the top 15 recruits rating for each of our classes. Only TWICE has Oregon had a recruiting year with 15 kids 4* or higher. Technically only once! That's because 2023 isn't in the books. 2021 was the other year according to '247'. I don't care about the overall score as that can be skewed by total number of recruits Of course, there is always going to be diamonds in the rough, but the higher the grade of recruit then the higher the chance for winning seasons, PAC championships, Natty runs. Lanning and Company 'only' brought in 17 commits last year. That's 11 4* or higher for a newbie coach and now he's flirting with a known 15 and could add 2-5 5* kids this week????!!!!!! Whaaaaaaaaatt???!!!! This year, 2023, has the possibility of being the highest rated of all time. What's got me pleasantly surprised, excited, is that next year could turn Oregon's recruits on it's heals. Our top 15 recruits not only could/should be 4* or higher, but it could be 4*+ for the whole entire recruiting class! That's Scary!! Duck On!

I have no clue. Was the Line backer play because they just weren't understanding the defensive play calling? Its incredibly head scratching to see the #1 and #2 HS recruits, at their position, see their potential not lining up.

Do you know why the SEC has become so dominant? It's 8 conference games a year and NOT 9. 4 non cons basically guarantee that you only need 2 wins in conference. If you can't get 4 wins? Someone needs to be fired like last week. Bowl games mean a winning season and that adds prowess to the conference, and cash to the coffers. The PAC disrespects itself with 9 games in conference. It just means more in the SEC. And thats the formula. More noncons mean more money because of more wins and more opportunities to bring more teams to more Bowl games which brings in more money.