HappyToBeADuck

Great points in the article and in the posts. Until this article I had not given any thought to the Fiesta Bowl. Never once did I think DL and staff wouldnt have the team ready ...... As long as the starters treat this as a must win and not a swan song, Pro Bowl, or Sun Bowl game, then this should be a Duck victory. Liberty will be motivated, loose and hard hitting. However, the 15 to 20 future NFL players, scattered on the Duck roster should have this game handled in the 2nd quarter. Go Ducks.........

JJ, another solid article that makes sense. So much so that the networks, talking heads and SEC elites would be confused..... Common sense is not valued by these entities. Confusion, worry and anxiety cause fans to tune into the joke that is the ESPN broadcast of CFP rankings. Controversy helps drive ratings and dollars. Of course ESPN and any future broadcast network will know in advance the rankings. These broadcasts are not fly by the seat of our pants or televised by chance. The producer/director/stats and highlight team (s) need some notice to prepare the show...... And thats okay.....next year the seeding of 5-12 will dominate the social media uproar. The networks will have reporters magically appear, on campus with the HC 's of 13 thru 16. Pissing, whining and moaning drive ratings. FSU coaches and fans have given us academy award winning dramatic performances. Something similar when the BCS by passed the Ducks for the hapless Cornhuskers. Many a Oscar on the mantle of Duck fans after that announcement. JJ, i agree 16 teams would be best. Howrver the SEC will want 9 teams, not 7. It's just how it is! And annually the beavs and cougs will play each other a 3rd rime in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Lots of passion brewing on this thread and previous threads concerning the collateral damage from the death of the PAC-12 Each school is 1/12th equally responsible for their own demise. Rarely does the so called abused get to write their own entitlement check for imaginary damages. And take it from an equal partner. WTH? Water under the bridge at this point! We all have our opinions, i respect each one, so heres mine.......probably not worth the read! I look(ed) at the 12 schools as a real estate investment. 12 different properties with 12 different dollar values. Ask yourself which are the least valuable properties? Let's let the market answer that....... Money is no object but i know I over paid for usc and ucla. I invested in the high value of the neighborhood. Even though both properties were fixer uppers, especially internally. Of the 10 remaining properties, UO and UW were the jewels and i took advantage of the market and purchased them at half price. Smart investing and because of their location they will help keep expenses down for the So Cal properties. Speaking about entitlement, one of my So Cal propeties has to pay a non contributing property up to $10 million a year. Year after year! So they can play for free until 2036 with another investor. Now that investor showed some smarts. Sometimes its difficult to turn down a beggar. Wait make that 2 beggars...... Another investor, with a failing network partner, manipulated the market and got 4 schools on the cheap. Even though the little big 12 loud mouth commissioner bragged the conference wanted west coast, pacific time zone properties, of which OSU and WSU would fit that criteria......... Well, now wait for it........ None, none of the investors saw their value and wanted to invest in the Corvallis and WSU properties! The one investor (ACC) did not even want the properties for FREE. Now whos fault is that OBDF? Is it Oregon's? Phil and Penny? Stanford and Cal? The remaining PAC schools? What responsibility do OSU and WSU have in this? To me, when you take what is not yours, it is stealing! When you take more than you earned, its stealing! Any money that OSU and WSU take, above potential liabilities is stealing. Isnt it? Go Ducks! Big paydays and larger audiences ahead.......

In order for the Ducks to make the 2024 playoffs a few key, experienced pieces will need to be added to the roster. While i am confident that DL and staff recognize and understand their needs, i am with Charles and will wait until those needs are filled before my optimism grows. The schedule on the road to the 2024 playoff, IMHO, will be more difficult than the 2023 season. Consider this, MIchigan has not lost a BIG conference game since 2021. Last 2 seasons, they are 26-1. They graduate some key players but Damn..... tOSU has only lost to Michigan the last 2 seasons.PSU has only lost to MIchigan and tOSU the last 2 seasons. These 3 teams are not going to step aside and let the Ducks glide into the 2024 CFP. Of course, in the vanishing PAC 12 the putrid huskies are 24-2 and OBD's are 21-5 the last 2 seasons. Riding a 3 game (barf) win streak over the Ducks, the huskies are not about to roll over next year. With the Wolverines, Buckeyes and huskies on our schedule in 2024, DL and staff will need to field a team that can win 2 of those games. 10-3 may not be enough to receive an at large bid to the playoff. While the recruiting class of 2024 is a record class it does not bring in valuable, experienced veterans to march thru the BIG DL and his staff have used the TP very well, so far. Lets hope it continues.

Alex, you certainly have many reasons to be excited about the 2024 Duck QB room. This last week has raised my expectations higher, too! Still a few questioms remain for this old but happy Duck.... Yes Gabriel is farther ahead now in big game success than Bo was when he arrived on campus. However, can he lead and will the players follow that lead? The 2024 schedule has some big game matchups with tOSU, Michigan, Whisky, ucla and the huskies on the schedule. Winning 4 of those games may be the only way to reach the BIG Title game Gabriels experience and leadership is critical to that success. Moore brings real, meaningful in game experience that none of the backups had this year or will have next year. Moore made a lot of mistakes as a starter but did he learn from those mistakes? Do the backups have the leadership qualities and "it factor" if there name is called? Can DL and staff fill the front 7 with the experienced players and freaks to shut down the top offenses in the BIG? The Wolverines did not throw a pass in the 2nd half of the PSU game. PSU could not stop the run. Can DL build a run stop defense? Guess we will find out in the next few months........ Go Ducks........

We all have our own way of looking at things but it is refreshing that some buckeye fans are taking notice of. OBD's...... As for 2024, much will depend on how DL closes out the early signing period for HS Recruits. More young talent to keep pace with the tOSU receruiting machine. Then filling in the needs with top level talent in the TP. Especially on D.. . Walter Nolen would be a big addition. DL and staff will most likely handle those needs. Still feel Coach Lanning needs to build his in game coaching chops and be seasoned with experience. Coaching matters..... Harbaugh and his staff do not out recruit the buckeyes, they out coach them...... If the 2024 Ducks play more than 14 games next year it could come down to just a handful of in game decisions by DL. I cannot believe the powerhouse 2024 schedule with tOSU and Michigan on the schedule. Along with Deboar and company. The wooryworts and nervous nellies are gonna have some sleepless nights as the Ducks play in the big league in 2024. August cant come soon enough!

Playing time and starting positions are earned. Players must earn their shot. My expectation is that the best performing players take the field so the Ducks can win all their games. QB2's role is to be ready to take over at any moment in a game. When Ty had his shot, last year in a critical moment in the Washingron game or in mop up duty, he did not lead or impress. That's just my observation. Best of success going forward to Ty and all the former Duck transfers who could not crack the lineup on a Top 10 team.

What a diverse group of members on this Forum. Reading all the articles, with the subsequesnt posts and comments is such fun..... Many, many times my view point has changed from other Forum members posts. It's all about view points, mixed with feelings and passion. The changes in college football, recently have been rapid and fast changing. Some good and some not so good The wing T, student body right, the forward pass, the shot gun formation, man in motion, and some bird bombs was about all the changes that dotted the landscape for over a hundred years. Change in college football moved at a snails pace. For traditionalists that worked. Then Chip Kelly caused a seismac earthquake that brought unbelievable excitement to the sport. ESPN and Game day couldnt get enough of OBD's and whiny, poor sport Saban demanded rule changes. He's even a poor winner! This fan could not get enough. 2 Natty appearances and about 60 wins in 5 years. WOW! As a Duck fan were you excited about the changes that CK brought to college football? Were you excited about Natty appearances or top 5 finishes? I was, for sure. And I want that to be an annual event for our Ducks as it is for tOSU, Bama, Michigan, LSU and Georgia. Don't you? I don't want to be PSU, Iowa, Wisconsin, MSU, Florida, Tennessee and Ole Miss. Outside looking in... The TP is here to stay in college football........ Thankfully Coach Lanning and staff have navigated the TP as well as anyone. Coupled with Top 10 recruiting, DL has the Ducks poised to make the CFP annually. Isn't that what we want? The playoff or Holiday Bowl? As a fan, we each may be at a personal crossroad on this. Thankfully DL and staff aren't at a crossroads. Most likely they are out getting the pieces needed to compete with tOSU, Michigan, PSU and those ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,huskies Go Ducks......

The decline of the Ducks WBB program from playing at an elite level has been disappointing, to this fan. Many factors go into the making of a champuonship team. Not all 5 stars are created equal. Nor do they have the same drive to excel. Sometimes players and coaches cannot connect. It happens. I think i set my fan sights a little to high. Just spoiled by Sabrina and company...... Off the chart talent on the hardwood at the same time was spectacular to watch and support. Elite programs seem to sustain their recruiting and top level performance.The Ducks have simply slipped off that top level perch. Hoping that Coach can bring the WBB program back to that level in future seasons...... Go Ducks.......

Log Haulin I agree that TT didnt get a fair shake with the 1st team offense in game situations. I was referring to the open competition opportunities in practices. Especially in spring and fall camps. Those starting spots are earned and for some reason the players hitting the portal couldn't earn playing time. I hope TT gets to the MWC or maybe a little big 12 conference team and just lights it up. I liked TT from day 1 and am gonna still be a big TT fan.

They say the proof is in the pudding... After 26 games we can feel confident that DL and staff start the best players based upon game performance. Along with performamce and improvement in practice. TT and any players leaving thru the TP had their chance(s) to earn those coveted starting spots. They didn't! TT had 26 games,including spring ball, fall camp and weeks of practice to suplant Bo. I petsonally cant support those who feel he didn't get a fair shake. TT didnt feel he could beat out Dillion Gabriel, so he hit the TP. IMHO, Dillion has won on the big time national stage. Cam Ward has not. My instinct tells me DL nabbed the best QB1 available in the TP. The days of unproven QB's starting are disappearing barring injury. Go Ducks.....

Really am enjoying the breadth of comments on this topic. This fabulous forum has such depth within the community. For this old Duck, well I really appreciate and enjoy the Transfer Portal. It offers DL and his staff the opportunity to fill immediate needs with seasoned, experienced veterans. Many will disagree with me on this thought but the the 2022 Ducks may not have gone 10-3 without Bo arriving thru the TP. Not with the 2022 version of TT! Just one player can be the difference between 10-3 and 8-5. Do any of you feel the 2023 team would be staring down a 12 win season without Bo, his brother and key O lineman via the portal? Not to mentioned the freaks and depth added on the Duck D via the TP.... I will take and enjoy every TP rumor that flows thru the OBDF. The TP opportunity offers DL and staff the opportunity 2 times a year to fill needs. WOW! Just travel back a few years ago and consider this.......2 years after the 2014 Natty loss the Ducks went 4-8. Why? MH didn't hit the recruiting trail. Talented players on the roster matter. Slick recruited on the fly and of course, MC brought the talent. The Ducks were back contending, playing on New Years but could not make the CFP. Under DL and staff the TP has elevated the Ducks to a CFP contender. The entire 2023 season the Ducks were in the CFP mix until the end of the PAC Title game. I just dont see that happening without the TP, rumors and all.

Ryan it sure is exciting that Gabriel has transferred to Oregon and will complete his career as a Duck. Operating within the WS system, combined with the talent on the offense, Gabriel should be one of the best QB's in the BIG. If he earns the players trust and subscribes to DL's 1% improvement plan an 11-1 or 10-2 regular season is possible. Gabriel may even get an invite to the Heisman party. Ryan I share your positive outlook for the 2024 season with Dillion as QB1. An experienced QB2 is necessary in case of an injury to QB1. However in order to navigate next season with tOSU, Michigan and the huskies on the schedule replacing those big experienced D lineman is critical. DL has recruited some big time HS D line talent, for certain! A few experienced, seasoned freaks and monster lineman may be needed to solidify the D. Of course DL and staff know this. Will be exciting and nerve wracking to see how the Ducks fill those needs Hiring Walter Nolen with a lucrative NIL offer would be a great addition to the D line room. Best of success to TT and all the Duck transfers as they find their new homes. Go Ducks!

Welcome back JJ as a Fish Duck Writer. Your posts are always thought provoking, informative and enhance the OBDF....... This article is no different and offers the Forum much to "ponder". I would like to comment on just a few... . This fan (and this makes me barf) agrees the putrid dogs should be ranked #1. Michigan played only 3 ranked teams and most on their schedule would struggle to score points against FCS schools. Washington faced a number of challenges throughout the season and won on the road againsy ranked teams. Not to mention winning against OBD's, twice. The 2023 Ducks, IMHO are the most complete Duck team to take the field. The Ducks lacked 1 key piece, a K Thibs type, unstoppable Edge Rusher. The Duck edges are very good but not K Thibs. My hat is off to. KD and the huskies. Speaking of Kalen D.....when he came to uw, his 7 year head coaching record was 79-9. WOW... Now his HC record at uw is 23-2 and a CFP invite.... ..2 more victories and his combine FSU and uw record would be 46-7. Similar to CK..... I think any team and HC that faces KD has a KD problem. Not just DL! The BIG has no idea whats coming their way next year with KD. DL may out recruit KD. However, KD's game plans and in game adjustments are top level. I am very proud of DL and his powerhouse recruiting, portal acumen and player development. 2 seasons, 21-5 record that includes 4 losses by 12 points....thats darn good.... DL just needs more seasoning... The BIG has no idea whats coming their way next year with DL. Top 10 recruiting and key pieces in the portal will close out an exceptional, yet bittersweet, 2023 season. Go Ducks

It is easy to create all kinds of conjecture when we dont have all the facts on the subject...... The term phychologist is covers a wide spectrum. Often with a negative label. Grain of salt stuff.... Its been a great season with Bo being a great leader on one of Oregon's best teams ever. How many 11 or 12 win seasons have we had in 130 years? Its been fun on this fabulous Forum to read and digest all the articles about everything Ducks..... For this old Duck, nothing is wrong with this team, both staff and players. This group didnt execute on less than 10 plays out of thousands over the last 2 years. Those plays are the difference between 2 CFP appearances and possible football greatness. Give me more of this because DL's Ducks can play and compete with anyone. Eventually OBD's will climb to the mountain top....

Oregon's NIL offerings appear to be top $ based upon results. This should be enticing to experienced top level players... DL and staff have done very well bringing in talent, blending with HS recruits to build depth. I trust their decisions. Gonna be a wild December getting all the pieces in place....

Smart move by Caleb. His o line offers very little protection. He has a near $40 million dollar payday coming over the next 4 years and a 5th year option for the league QB average. Worth $30 million plus for the 5th year...... i admire and appreciate Bo playing and leading his team in the Fiesta Bowl. The team best come out firing on all cylinders so Bo leaves the field up 35-0 midway during the 2nd quarter. Bo has millions of future dollars at stake...... Bo's future is out in front of him and though there is no more risk in this game or any other game, i held my breath everytime he ran with the ball. The NFL will be picking up 3 tremendous QB's from the extinct PAC 12. Wishing Williams, Penix and Bo all the best in their lives....

Each Forum member or poster is entitled to their opinion and feelings. Part of the passion as a fan...... Take the time to read how the rankings and selection process work and you will see that Oregon was given the utmost respect by the committee as the top ranked 2 loss team. And please OBDF members the committee sets the rankings and the semi games. By selection order the bowls pick the matchups. This fan will not disrespect Liberty or OBD's for this matchup. This is a NY6 bowl matchup and both teams played their way into this game. Annie and others recognize and support this game! Bravo...... FYI, this type of game will happen each year as long as the G5 teams get an invite. So are we going to be whiny or upset if #5 Oregon faces #12 Liberty next year in a play in game to reach the quarterfinals? Perspective..........

I certainly feel the frustration over the Fiesta Bowls match up, so I did some research. It helped me understand a little better. Each committee member submits their list for the Top 30 teams. This establishes sort of a baseline for rankings. Each committee member, announamously presents their top 6 ranked teams. All members are provided mountains of data on games and teams to assist in how they rank the teams. Only the committee ranks the Top 6 and the 4 teams for the national semifinal games. That's it. From there the Bowls pick based on their order of selection and rankings. First consideration is bowl tie ins or agreements. For example Rose Bowl as we know is BIG vs PAC....... This year Rose Bowl is part of the semi-finals so the tie in contract is out the window. If this was a normal year, Washington would be off to the semi and Oregon off to the Rose Bowl. But its not a normal year, so Ducks are off to the Fiesta Bowl. No conspiracy theory or bias involved. It appears that the Fiesta Bowl had the last pick and the other bowls passed on Liberty. The Ducks played their way into this ridiculous situation........or down played their way to AZ. Congratulations to Liberty for a great undefeated season and yoir prize is a national tv game against OBD's. This wont change the sour taste in anyones mind but this will happen to one Power 4 team next year. Maybe even the Ducks. But it is done by final committee rankings and a predetermined process and nothing more.....

Thanks Coach for taking the time to identify, explain and breakdown these Will Stein plays. Your effort all season has brought this Duck fan a better understanding of what i am viewing. You are one of the writers or contributors that helps enhance the quality of this first class Forum...... Especially liked that you pointed out that some of Bo's checkdowns were by design within the play itself. Will watch for these plays as OBD's steamrole Liberty in the NY6 Light Game.........

As much as i would love to see Bo and the NFL bound players stay and play thru the bowl game, well consider these numbers..... 2023 first round contacts were #1 - near $40 million then each pick received a little less down to #32 - near $13 million No bowl game is worth risking that! 2023 2nd round contracts were #33 - near $13.6 million #64 - near $6.5 million For those players their future is now and their Duck playing time is in their past. I hope some of these players learn from Bo staying one more season. He went from a potential 3rd round pick to first round or early 2nd round pick. Bo made a quality life financial decision by staying. Go Ducks.....

Well FSU has every right to be frustrated and disappointed. Afterall they have their own vision of their team and its ranking..... BUT! If an undefeated season is the only criteria then maybe Liberty should be in the CFP? We know better because their schedule does not warrant a top 4 ranking. Neither does FSU's schedule. Their big wins are over LSU and Clemson. Both schools had down years. Both did little to boost FSU's level of quality victories. FSU has no game/season changing victory, do they? In comparison, Alabama beating then #1Georgia boosted their ranking and quality of victories. In turn that boosted Texas's quality win over Bama. Throw in that the SEC is viewed a stronger conferemce than the ACC. Take the time to view Bamas schedule over FSU's schedule. I never had FSU higher than 7th all year long. I viewed uw and a one loss Oregon above FSU. A one loss Oregon would have probably made the playoff. Would you have supported FSU keeping Oregon out? Probably not..... Of course we all have our viewpoint and I think all the posters can support their views.

Not pleased with the matchup! Really a big let down for the fan base. The Ducks put themselves in this position by losing. When you control your own destiny and dont win, well you get left overs.. However, the players who will declare willl not be playing in this game no matter who the Ducks play in the fiesta bowl. There future is preparation for the combines and draft......they earned their shot. This fan is not disappointed that the 2, 3's and others will be playing in the fiesta bowl. Their future is now! Right now. Lest we forget, they are some of the best players from HS the last few seasons. Many of them played solid minutes this year and contributed. Looking forward to seeing them shine. Go Ducks! Get ready and lets beat Liberty......

Well only 4 teams are going to be happy and 3 will not be. All 7 can make their case for an invite, except tOSU. You arrogant whiners didnt even make championship weekend. I cannot envision the SEC being left out of the playoff. FSU is the most vulnerable because ACC vs SEC does not stand up. If SEC keft left out well they really pushed to keep it at 4 all these years. Will poetic justice eule over SEC bias.

Ryan certainly a lot to ponder from your article and very on target. Especially on, well everything....... DL and his staff have showed us all that they can self examine their teams needs. Then thru recruiting at the HS or juco level or the portal fill those needs....... Those coaching decisions turned the core of OBD's from MC's fluff 4 & 5 stars (mass transfers out) to a core filled with 4 and 5 star players with substance. While i do share in this Forums grief and disappointment over the 4 three point losses the last 2 seasons that derailed OBD's CFP opportunities, I feel it was execution on both sides of the ball, in key or critical moments that caused the losses. Not glaring weaknesses or holes that need filling.... The double #@/(?% huskies and OBD's are very equal teams. I felt the winner of the PAC Title game could win the Natty. This was a high level CFP game and the huskies executed a few more plays, when needed to win than the Ducks. In both games....... Dan Lanning has been a HC for 26 games. KD a HC for 114 games (103-11) and 7 league titles. He game planned well, in both games, ro keep the Ducks about 2 TD's under their scoring avetage. The husky players executed their game plan and won the game. We will face that coaching talent level every year KD foolishly stays at uw. Someone in the SEC needs to throw ridiculous money at KD The 2 contests were painful for Duck fans but they were 2 of the best contests played on the national scene, all year. Whats done is done! On to the BIG 18.......and 2024.... Ryan you and Haywarduck are spot on in your posts. We need tall, talented, speedy NFL type D backs on the roster. Especially against tOSU, usc and the huskies. Those 3 schools field NFL WR's that stretch the field. The front 7 needs the 3 freaks to create havoc. Without all the pieces the Ducks will not make the CFP. Not a gloom and doom prediction, just fact. DL and staff know what the needs are that must be filled. I am confident that they will endure the players declaring for the draft and transfers out by taking the best players in the portal It wont be a lack of talent on the roster in 2024. Just like 2022 and 2023 it will be about the execution. Damn, i am HappyToBeADuck and headed to a NY6 bowl game. The CFP appearance? Depends on filling out Ryan and Haywarduck's recipe for success. GO DUCKS!