1Funduck

I have been an Oregon Ducks fan for 21 years ever since a friend introduced me to Oregon-vs-Texas and the lead up to Joey Heisman in 2021. I had no interest in football. Basketball and the Trailblazers were my sport of choice from the early days of the late 70's. Then the Jail Blazers happened. Truly a very sad time for me and my young children who I couldn't share special moments with. This was around 2000 and the timing couldn't be better for me to be 'looking'. Then this friend of mine drug me to a game at Autzen in 2001. In person I was able to feel the game through the crowd, see the whole 'Chess match' as it unfolded. I found myself getting riled up about a play and not even knowing what had happened. But, I could feel it, and I was hooked. Those times were awash in long term Coaches and a continuous rise in a winning program. Bellotti and company were like your Grandpa. Full of wisdom and you couldn't help but love him. Respectful, insightful, knowledgeable, and thoughtful. This was my introduction to Oregon Football. But, the times they be a changing, and... I understand. Time is a wonderful ally and your worst enemy. Over time, we can learn so much. What constitutes a 15 yard penalty? I had no idea in 2001. Over time I learned. A winning season takes time, all 3 months of it. A winning program takes time, many years of it. But, we don't live in this environment anymore. It's the way of yesteryear. This brings me to my hard learned point as a middle aged man who is understanding the double edged sword of what 'Time' means. I have many years left, many Good years left. But, I'm keenly aware that the years in front of me are less than the years behind me. I believe that Phil Knight is looking through this same lense. This February, Uncle Phil will be 84! Surprised me too. Time is not on his side. Bringing in a HC that is a no name is not an option. The 10 year $85 million contract for Cristobol proved that money wasn't a factor. Winning is! USC brought in Lincoln Riley and LR became the highest paid coach even higher than Saban. What's even more shocking is that LR left Oklahoma! Thats a storied program and a destination job. USC still got him. More Glitz and more Green. The Sports world was shocked and shaken at its core. You think USC is going to be instantly a threat, a contender for PAC12 Championships within 2-3 years? Yeah, me too. This brings me to Oregon's HC search. The Boosters have no more time for a rebuilding stint. Oregon may not be the top 5 destination, but they are top 10 with an incredible bank account to rival the top 5. Oregon isn't in the business to be mediocre anymore. Time isn't on it's side and, it's about time we swing for the fences and bring in a Sports World shocking HC. The Boosters are willing to pay. Who? What do I know? I'm sure the debate will rage H-O-T. But, it needs to be a shocker. Urban Meyer is in the middle of losing this season in Epic fashion. Its ugly down there. Yet, his name at Oregon would create shock waves, not just in the PAC, but in the whole College football world. The PAC would have raised eyebrows from every conference. Urban Meyer and Lincoln Riley. North heavy weight against Southern heavy weight. And the team benefit to Oregon? The recruits would beat down UM's door. We should know relatively soon who our next HC will be. It's just a matter of time.

Could you imagine a prolific offense like 10 years ago with the athletes of today?

I see it much differently. Of course UT is paying the bill, but the coin donated is breath taking. The money in Texas is astounding.

Thank You Fish. What a thoughtful and fair article analyzing the reality of 2020. I've been chirping that Shough hasnt received a fair shake, and this article was in part why. 1 start on the offensive line? Oh boy, it would take a phenom to overcome such youthful protection and be successful. And our defense seemed soft in the middle. Your article shares with us why. We took the General off the field and introduced the Private. I'm loving how this year is shaping up and especially if we get a full Spring and Fall ball to prepare for a full season. Thx again Fish!

Just weird. I was talking to a friend yesterday about Shough and we both thought he would end up at AU. Its back home. Its with a team that he will win the starting job immediately. AU has no place to go but up. As far as Shough gaining confidence, I don't think its as fragile as everyone thinks. I always got the impression that the coaching staff had high expectations and when a QB goes through a hiccup of a spell, that its part of the growing process. I can't think of a past QB that hasn't had growing pains. But our coaching staff sure seemed twitchy when Shough got a bit wonkey. Lets not forget, our Defense seems to be a bit porous making it difficult on the Offense. We weren't world beaters on any level last year. Last year was such an anomaly. We were just so young. I personally think he would have been fine this coming year. But, I believe he will be fine next year at AU. I hope he does well. And when they have their rivalry with the territorial cup, I hope he puts it on ASU.

Oh boy! Somebody is seething. There is not one thing you said that wasn't relevant. It all impacts the overall outcome. So, let me say I'm on board with the slap the PAC office mantra. They deserve it. To be fair, Oregon is at a point now that they can overcome any slight by the Commissioners office or the Pac for that matter. We love the coin but we have enough to make the moves. We have no problem bringing in talented players. We have won a playoff game with a middle of the road recruiting roster. We are back to back champions of the PAC. Played beautifully against a powerful Wisconsin team. Before all this dream coin came flowing in, USC was feared. UW garnered concerned eyebrow raises. Why? Their base is beyond rich. Their coaching was respectable to absurdly good. The recruits were stories of envy...from around the nation! What happened? IMO, Carrol was a bad boy and USC has been paying the price ever since. It wasn't coin that made them irrelevant. It was Coaching. How else do you explain a top 10 average recruiting roster on the verge of collapse last year, every year? And UW? Ugh. Lets be honest. UW doesn't need outside money. They don't need better facilities. What's the problem? Coaching. Oregon is in the same templet. They have everything. They just had the youngest roster in all of CFB. They have a fine Coach and will lead the team to the playoffs. I believe a Championship game and win is on the immediate horizon. This is not a PAC-12 problem IMO. Just look at Clemson. Garbage conference. But how did Clemson become so relevant? Does anyone believe their conference put them in a position to win? Hmmm. Just win. Oregon is on the Cusp. We all know it. That's not me talking with Green and Yellow glasses on, its simply a numbers game. Recruiting is top 10 with multiple top 5 players all over the field. Coaching is a bit reserved but promising some flair this coming year on both sides of the ball. Lets be clear. Oregon has the #1 DE, the #1ILB, the #4 I think #1, QB, the #4 CB..etc. Etc. Etc. We are loaded with top 10 talent. We got them in spite of the PAC 12 office. I would take issue with the timing of games. Yes, I believe we need some prime time games showcasing the conference. The sweet spot is a 2:00 game. But to be fair, we are on the West coast. We sit 3 hrs behind Florida. Its just logistics. Ole Miss isn't going to play a 7:00pst game. That's 10:00 for them. I want all our games to be highlighters. But, we live on the West coast. The PAC is going to get more than its fair share of late games because we live in the PST. You want more respect in the PAC? USC needs to stop losing to ND every stinking year. They need to thump'em. Its a built in relevance factor for the PAC. One highlighter like that can sway the national perception. Oregon needs to get over the 'almost made it' moniker. They need to not lose by any score, 3 points or 23. Go stinking Win. Anytime, any place, anywhere. Just win. I put this on the Coaches....period. We neutered a Colorado team with a load of 2/3 stars. The PAC had nothing to do with that. We played 7:00 games ad nauseum that year. Just Win, all the rest will take care of itself. But, I wouldn't turn down the coin either. Duck On!!

No words....... They aren't going to get away with that so easily. The best collegiate woman BBall player........Ever!

Average over the last 4 years? UW 21 ASU 35 USC 24 UO 9.25 To be fair USC only brought in a few players and thats totally uncharacteristic of USC. Take out that outlier and your average is closer 10-12. Basically the same as Oregon. Make no mistake, the recruits from USC and Oregon are on par with each other. The other schools are average to good hauls. It just takes a bit of scheming and developing to bring those Kids up to D-1 par. Coaching matters when you are the middle of the PAC if you want to win the PAC.

"No conference promises to be more competitive than the Pac-12 in 2021. " That statement stood out to me. UW, UO, Cal, Utah, USC, UCLA, ASU, all look like more than capable teams. To win the PAC? Thats probably down to 5-6 teams. Every team is capable. I have questions with Cal but can see all the other teams putting up fights and capable of winning. Its going to be a healthy year for the PAC IMO.

Whats sad is that TS was the best QB in the PAC. A QB rating in the 160's? Uh, thats pretty good. He had a couple of series in the end of the season that stumbled. Cant argue this but, Wow! The confidence of TS evaporated awfully quick. Either way, TS must have gotten a 1 on 1 and was informed that he would Not be the starter. At the very least it was going to be an open audition with TT having the fans backing already. Its just fact.

Enjoyed the article and it took me back to yesteryear. Woulda coulda shoulda seems to be the phrase that pops in my head. 2005, a cheating USC leaves Oregon without a PAC10 Title. But, ....Scoreboard. I'm asking myself, 'why has USC been so dominant'? So many variables that I had to break it down to basically 2 main reasons. Coaching and Recruiting. Anybody remember statements like, USC could play competitively with the worst NFL team? I remember pundits making that argument during an ESPN segment. Absurd. Of course that begs the question, Why was USC so good? Pete Carroll and tons of 4-5 star recruits. That's the bottom line. A more than capable coach with an above standard roster will net you W's. Just plain and simple. Of course, when you don't have that recipe, you have to get creative with your scheme. Mike Leach, Chris Petersen, Chip Kelly. But, in the end, recruits consistently win Championships. Oregon seems to be due for the next level.

Couldn't agree more. If the pundits had it all figured out, why play the game. One team should kneel down in defeat at the KO or TO. I Never watch shows that promote prognostication as the premise of the show, unless its about the Ducks. They better say the Ducks are going to win...

Is this not a good reason to basically turn off all the pundits that talk Football as their profession? We talk about it and its free. Just a bunch of fans. What do we know? Apparently about the same conclusions as the paid pundits. Its all opinions. I don't believe any of them. Not one. Scoreboard! Thats the answer. Yeah, you probably guessed I hate the ranking system and the playoff model. All opinion. USC should have won. Hmmm, they played....Oregon won. Scoreboard!!

I'm so looking forward to this season! Lets get a full Spring and Fall practice in.

The ultimate nick name is 'Seven' with his number being 7. A coincidence that you score 7 with a TD and an extra point? How do you get to 7 on the score board? Have Seven run it in and the Cattle Man punch it through!

I think I can understand Oregon Not being a Top destination for coaching. The South has a ton of people and support for CFB. Lots of high support in college coaching destination rankings. In fact the whole East coast is where most destinations are. But, with my Green and yellow glasses on, Oregon has some eyepopping reasons for being a top 10 destination IMO. Knight, facility's, commitment to a winning program, and relatively consistent dominant seasons. The fan support along with the cash for the program makes it move on the list.

We love him, but what does the rest of CFB think of our Coach?

I agree with the 247 feelings. Its always been a distorted face with me when a school can add to their recruiting score by adding more players. In theory, a school could recruit 85 players in 1 year and have the highest score, even though every kid is a 2 star and is 50th or lower in their respective position. Said school wins the recruiting title. Thats bunk. Average the score, average the stars. 247 just wants to be different and make themselves out to be deep analytical evaluators. The common fan eats it up. Those in the know, know better.

Maybe I'm seeing it differently, but I believe that supports my thesis. Oregon has to bring its Brand; winning, cool uni's, Nike, flashy offense. But, I would agree that recruiting needs to be top notched as well. After all, USC gets top recruits by default. We are ecstatic to have such an impressive class. Its old hat to USC. They played poorly and only got 12 recruits. They win the South last year, add a stellar recruiter promising next level success, and Boom! USC has a top 10 class and 2022 looks to be a dog fight for top 5 next year. Make no mistake, IMO, as MC goes so does Oregon. If he's our NS, then this could be a generational move in the west. Something towards the level of Clemson is what I'm seeing. Now we just need that prolific offense to return. I believe we have that in spades within 2 years. Duck on!

And Washington comes in at .......#35. Whuuf!

Five schools who won big on National Signing Day (247sports.com) Thought I would share a link. Enjoy.

I'm going to take issue with 'his recruiting ability'. Recruiting is far and away about winning and the school and perception along with exposure. One would guess they are all interlinked. Oregon is pulling power house players and didn't have a DC approaching signing day. Our DC was gone. Why didn't these players leave? Any of them? None of them. Why? Brand. IMO its really that simple

Hilarious! Predicted over a year ago and they lost most of the top 10 of their wish list. Emeka OSU, Huard is a Husky, JTT is NOT to be a dawg, Troy Franklin is a Duck, Keith Brown is a Duck....etc. Etc. Etc. Those husky hopers and dreamers, SMH.

Yuck! I seem to remember a guy by the name of Neiheisel make the statement that he was going to win the PNW. He tried to create some extra rivalry with that stunt. It didn't work. Now, Washington is squawking about winning the north. My take is that you have to play to be given the title. They forfeited their last game and then their ticket to the Championship. Nobody's fault. Washington had the best percentage, but couldn't play. Oregon could and then they did. They played then they won. ScoreBoard!

Thats.......a Cool way to commit. With your Pops.