HappyToBeADuck

Lots of passion in just a few posts. I wonder what the NIL for Moss will be at Miami? If Deion at Jackson State can sign 2 players who were coveted by the P5 Powers with high paying NIL deals, then Oregon boosters best step it up. MaiTaiDuck is correct but we should all recognize the NCAA governs the schools. NIL is not paid by the schools. Boosters, corporations and marketing firms rule this, not NCAA. It's eat or be eaten. Oregon boosters and smart business marketers time to step up. This is just the beginning of this business model. Shortly, it may take $85 million annually to field a 4☆ team. The Texas schools will see to that. Wonder how much money it will take for Bama and Georgia to hold their rosters together come Tuesday morning? What will the cost be come National Signing Day? The portal is the only way a player can find out their NIL market value. Proven commodities testing free agency. Hopefully PK and other big time boosters already have a plan in place. The Texas Boys sure did. This will not signal the end of big time college football. Just change the landscape. For those too young to know this. Shortly after Curt Flood won in court and opened the door for free agency, the New York Yankees spent crazy money to build their team. Luring Reggie Jackson and others from 3 time World Champion Oakland A's. Yankees got a title from spending money on proven stars. Let's hope we have boosters willing to spend in free agency, right now. The future has arrived.

Jordan thanks again for taking the time to create an article. After reading the article twice I came away with mixed emotions. Sending out a thank you note was a nice gesture. Very classy. Since a few of the rats jumped ship, even before there was a fire, it was nice to see a coach stay to the end. Wish him well. I was never comfortable with the high amount of injuries the players suffered. Not sure if this happened as part of the conditiong training or HC's violent and very physical practices. I wasn't at practice to eye witness that. But multiple players talked about live scrimmages that were just as physical as the games. If I remember correctly there were season ending injuries as a result of hard contact in practice. It might just be me but there were games that the players looked tired. No energy. Their talent and will to win saved the day. Utah looked fresh and energized as the season progressed, the Ducks not so much. Now before this forum gets after me, Sewell and a few others seemed to bring it every play. The mental and emotional side is equally important as strength and conditioning are. Injuries forced young freshmen to play before they had a chance to grow and develop their man body. That's where the S & C coach's program is critical. To me, something just wasn't right. It could be my imagination, too. I appreciate Coach Felds energy and sideline enthusiasm. Without a doubt he was all in. Looking forward to the next S &C coach. Hoping he can prepare the players both mentally and physically every year for 15 or more games. No Natty in the trophy room without it.

Let's hope their are a few more experienced players headed ro Oregon. As injuries took their toll on the 2021 season it is clear you can never have enough talent on the roster. The ability to fill holes and immediate needs is one of the benefits of the portal. Their are downsides to the portal, too.

As much as I feel there needs to be certain controls on NIL by the NCAA or the schools, well it probably won't happen. Anyone or any entity that attempts to cap the amount of money a player receives for their individual endorsement or opportunity, most likely loses in court. This is an individual capitalizing on their name, image and likeness. The school is not paying the player. They have no say in this matter. Does a school or AD really want to discourage boosters, corporations or marketing firms from creating an opportunity to attract top level players? Would Oregon turn down a well organized group bringing $30 million annually to bring top talent to Orrgon? Not hardly........ The courts ruling let the cats out of the bag before anyone knew what cats were in the bag. Now the boosters and schools who cheated don't have to anymore. The subtle and sneaky can be bold and audacious. (Texas AND TA&M) Doesn't matter what it does to college football. Football is a team sport played by individuals. The boosters are individuals who want the best team on the field. As we are beginning to see, money is no object. And the portal opens unlimited options to view for the players once they enter.

Many young recruits have come to regret their decisions. Thankfully, without penalty, they have the portal to correct that. Regardless of losing Moss there will be another 4 star player lining up on the edge against Georgia. Without any facts to substantiate this my instincts tell me the new staff will coach and develop that player. Much better than the last staff did.

Outstanding POV'S from all on this thread. Depends on what matters concern you the most. The NCAA and school presidents were stubborn beyond belief on the topic of paying players. After all they know what's best for the players. So the other side of the argument took it to the courts. Guess the NCAA and school presidents didn't know what was best for the players, after all. Once again academic prowess over ruled common sense. Wasn't there even 1 attorney or consultant who told them that they were going to lose. So the courts ruled and a massive earthquake rocked the NCAA and the schools Now the tsunami of consequences and change is coming ashore. You never turn your back on the waves at the ocean. The wrong side of the ruling did just that. Good or bad, here it comes. Whether the NCAA can rule on any restrictions will be challenged in court. Only time will tell who the winners or losers will be. Unquestionably, college athletics are undergoing a massive change and I hope it's for the better.

I hope that Verdell and Dye return next season. They are an important part of the Ducks future. We should embrace them being on the field. I am not sure what games some of the forum members watched but tOSU (2021) and Utes (2019) defenses did not track down Verdell from behind. Those runs were epic and came on the big stage. We have another big stage game next September and I only hope these experienced players are on the field. Don't have any idea of a whether either player has a shot in the NFL. If it's their dream then I wish it would come true for them. These 2 players are current Oregon Ducks stars. I agree with Coach Boles, they should not be dissected. What are we thinking?

It's Coach Lannings first seat in the Big Chair. That means a learning curve is upon him at Duck Nation. That doesn't mean it's a good or bad curve. Just a curve. Top recruits will and have come to Oregon. It appears that Coach Lanning can recruit. We are about to find out. It is exciting.......

Jon, as always, alot to digest within your article. Takes time to assemble all that info. Thanks. I prefer a 4 home, 4 away conference schedule. Having 7 or 8 home games puts extra cash in the bank. Much needed cash. Also gives the PAC conference schedulers the chance to spread out how often the top teams meet in cross division games. The late season patsy game has been very successful for the SEC. Why not for the minor league PAC? Plenty of schools need a payday. Though I don't think the huskies want to play Montana anytime soon. This gives a 5 win team a chance to get that 6th win. Of course the PAC teams need to play better and win those games. As for OOC scheduling. The PAC needs TV exposure and money. The players and coaches need big time challenges. If you take out tOSU and Clemson, every PAC team is capable of beating every team in the Alliance. (Well maybe not Washington) Oregon and Utah proved we belong on the same field as tOSU. If you want to be in the CFP these are OOC games that should be scheduled. It's up to our coaches and players to prepare to win those games. The home and home with Michigan State back in the MM days was a positive for both schools. A CFP for the Ducks. Beating tOSU this season immediately put us in the CFP. We just couldn't capitalize on it. A self inflicted conference scheduled game game was part to blame and it wasn't the Stanford game. In Jon's golfing terms, the win over tOSU gave the Ducks a mulligan. Which takes me back to 4-4 schedule. If the Ducks had Portland State instead of Utah on the schedule chances are we are 11-1 going into the PAC Championship game. Still ranked one spot ahead of Cincinnati in CFP rankings The Ducks and PAC are right in the mix and conversation. That's not perception it's reality. A much needed reality. The CFP did not keep the PAC out of the CFP. The PAC play and schedule took care of that. Now the championship game out come probably wouldn't have changed. But the Ducks focus may have been better, at least for the players not the coaches. The game may have been closer. An 11-2 Duck team would have finished above OK State and most likely a New Years Six bowl game. Both teams lost their championship game. On National TV with a big time pay day. More money and exposure for a desperate conference. Do they have too much academic prowess in this conference to make common sense decisions? For those of you opposed to PAC expansion consider that even adding 2 teams would then spread out how often the top teams meet. A 4-4 schedule spreads it out even further. More wins not losses gets you to the party. Getting to the party helps get those 5 and 4 stars to the PAC schools.

Charles you are amazing..... You and your team just keep killing it. You teaser you!

IMHO, 3 components are necessary to combat the ESPN/SEC death star from annihilating the basic foundation of college football. Are there enough presidents, AD'S and league commissioners willing to fight the fight. Apathy will not get anything done. Will enough non ESPN media partners be willing to step up and compete with the Death star. It takes forward thinking and high risk to make anything happen. What will the fans be willing to support? Can advertisers see a ROI from the investment in advertising. Know this, as long as indecision and fear rule the alliance and other potential participants, the death star will continue to grow in power. Eventually 4 teams from the PAC, 4 teams from the BIG and Clemson will get an offer to join. Then the others will be forced to make a plan. For whatever that is worth.

David thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings on the state of the running back room. As a fan it was exciting to look forward to explosion plays by the running backs in space. Knowing that their was a work horse in the backfield with another work horse ready to step in. Maybe thoroughbreds would be more fitting. Either way it was exciting... If the stable wasn't so deep, with playing time shared, 2000 yard rushing seasons were a real possibility. Without a doubt the talent in the room was well coached by Gary Campbell. In the last 5 years maybe the QB room wasn't the only room under coached or developed. Of course the Florida Boys were stubborn and it appears they took in very little outside input. Very excited that Coach Locklyn wants to reach out and take input from Coach Campbell and former Duck greats. After all, their legacy will be remembered far greater by Duck fans than the last 5 years. David your article has a feel good aspect to it. It was a breath of fresh air to read that a young coach wanted to learn and embrace the past. Especially from a coach and players who had one common theme. They found the end-zone and lit up the scoreboard. The players the last 5 years would have too. If only the stubborn coaches could have recognized their short comings and just reached out.......

The battle lines will really be drawn on National Signing Day and the the use of the portal...... When Coach Lanning puts the pieces in place for his defensive schemes the PAC members will be up against it. Riley OU defenses couldn't stop any one. Why will it be different at USC? Either way I am fine with turning off the PAC 12 Championship game with Oregon 13-0 and USC 12-1. Both teams heading to the CFP. Let's hope that happens annually.

Well I loathe the huskies to the point that new 4 letters words will need to be added to the English language dictionary to explain it. My Mom's family settled in Spokane in the early 1900's. So I grew up in Spokane Washington. Big Cougar fan. Started attending games in Pullman in 60's. First season tickets in 1975. Miserable cold place to watch a game. When the wind blows on the Palouse it gives a new meaning to cold. But when those Arrogant, butt sniffing Husky fans came to Pullman for the Apple Cup they made your blood boil. Never felt the cold....... Jack Daniel's, hot Totties etc. Helped too. The sheer disgust and name calling they showed toward Cougar fans was disappointing. My ex wife was called disrespectful names for wearing the Cougar colors. Classless...... When the Apple Cup was played west of the cascades in the out door potty stadium, my ex wife and I always attended. The Cougars were granted about 5,000 seats in the lowest southeast section of the toilet. In late November the sun never touched that section. So the night before the game the miserable excuse for fans or the grounds keeper watered downed those concrete seats. The whole section was a sheet of ice. The stairs, the seats and the floor, pure ice. Elderly people were slipping and falling. We couldn't sit down even with blankets. Our boots and feet were frozen. It was a typical classless act by the unpotty trained. Fortunately, in 1984 I moved to Oregon and escaped the Couged it tag and found the slow rising Ducks. My Father's family settled here in the late 1800's. It's a special place with special people. It was nice to come back home. To friendly people who cared about their community. But the smile and joy of life is wiped from my very being at the mention of butt Husky football fans. Not the players. So anytime any news of Husky football demise comes across this forum, I feel a little joy in my creation. Unlike the Husky fans when a Duck player transfers or moves on they are usually wished well. At least on this forum. I will never apologize or shy away from calling out Husky fans who demean or purposely hurt someone. Especially those who don't know how to use a toilet, only drink from it....... Okay, I will call myself out for that one.

Yeah you are probably right.....

I agree with bringing in high school talent and then developing that talent over time. Or that rare exception where a youngster can step in and play. But that ship may have sailed........ You could have a quality player transfer out for a better NIL. All that player development is gone. TT and JB could transfer at anytime. Anytime! Bet after the Alamo Bowl that OU fans weren't expecting WILLIAMS to hit the portal. So if we have further QB transfers, then we just have Bo. Glad he transferred to Oregon. Glad the portal is available. I expect going forward to see one high school recruit and one seasoned QB via the portal..... The old ways are rapidly disappearing. Coaches have to adapt to the landscape.

Got to figure that Coach Lanning and some of his staff have relationships with class of 22 recruits. We will know in about a month. I agree with David that the transfer portal offers tremendous opportunities. So does NIL......... I can just feel it in my bones that 85 individual, well to do boosters are being lined up to fill an 85 player roster with NIL opportunities. Any guess what conference that might be?

Only time will tell if we will miss Mario........ Depends on how many 7-5 or 8-4 seasons we may have with Coach Lanning. That's the risk in any coaching change. I keep reminding myself that Mario caused this coaching change. It was his choice........ IMHO, the Ducks, with all that talent were not going to the CFP or win a Natty under Mario. The talent was being recruited. However the Coaching talent was lacking. If you can't steam roll or dominate the PAC? It truly takes great coaching combined with great talent to win a Natty. We were lacking one of those ingedients........

IMHO, the QB room can never be to full of talent. Between injuries, individual player improvement and the portal, roster depth can change in a heart beat. Coach Lanning used the portal to bring in a experienced QB that the new OC trusts. Smart move...... Oops, Ashford gone. Wouldn't be surprised if another QB is brought in via the portal. TT and JB could leave via the portal anytime. Once the Alabama QB decommitted from the 2022 class, the Ducks needed at least 1 more QB. Why not an experienced 5☆, SEC player? Optics may be bad to Duck fans and future QB recruits for sure. But Coach Lanning is planning on winning the PAC. He needs talent and game time experience on the field. Imagine a top California QB like JB or a 5☆ QB like TT not being able to make the playing field? The Duck QB room is in a unique situation. Assuming TT and JB use their redshirt we all know that they enter 2022 with 4 years eligibility remaining. What's unique is that both young men will have 2 spring ball camps and all that goes with that under their belt. JB will have 3 fall camps and TT will have 2. Yet 4 full years of eligibility remaining. Of course they will be learning a new system. They will pick it up fast. Their futures are bright. I just hope their futures are as Ducks. That optic may and probably will give top QB recruits a reason to pause or look elsewhere. Who would want to sit for 3 plus years behind all that talent. No bodies fault. Just the reality of today's game. After all how much NIL can you receive sitting on the bench. I imagine one conference, for sure, has NIL opportunities for gifted players who want to keep the bench warm. I don't think the PAC is that one......

Charles whatever name you choose is fine with me. I have said this before but it's worth repeating........ This is a one of a kind forum! A true safe haven for thoughts, ideas and opinions to be expressed. If what you and your team have built could be duplicated many people would learn a little self control, a little more kindness and respect toward others. Where else could a old person find the courage to express without retaliation? Or youngsters for that matter. Keep it rolling and thanks........

The top teams in the SEC make it easy for the committee to get it right more often than not. When you combine top coaching with the top recruits from all over the country the result is multiple CFP appearances and Natalie's. Now that the SEC is pulling top level youngsters from the west coast the task is more difficult for the PAC. However, the only thing keeping the PAC out of the CFP is on field performance. Oregon and Washington got their shots because they performed on the field. To me, the future lies with the 8-12 year old youngsters. Because of media exposure they get to watch the top teams from around the country. Their eyes can see and their ears can hear all the excitement from Game Day thru the games played. But I can share with you that my 8-12 year olds were often a sleep by halftime of the late games. Even big games. So if my west coast youngsters can't make it thru an after dark game do you suppose the other youngsters around the country are awake at midnight? Not hardly... Time slots of games matters to the future stars of tomorrow. Better decisions by the PAC Commish may make for a better result come signing day.

The new commissioner has nothing more to bring to the table than Scott did. Nothing....... The west coast offers late night entertainment for the east and Midwest time zone viewers. Even Scott new enough to get into the Midwest time zone. Especially Texas. Offering content from noon eastern until the lights get turned off in the wee hours. Granted Texas and Oklahoma were big game to hunt down. They were hunted and captured by the SEC. Baylor, OSU, TT and even Houston are not Texas and Oklahoma. Granted. But they are not leftovers. The state of Texas and the lower mid west have millions of eyeballs. More fans in that region hate Longhorn or Sooner, anything. Now Baylor, OSU and others have a better shot at division or conference Championships. They will be in the national conversation. So will Cincinnati and BYU. But now we allowed them to gain P5 conference status. The P-12 Network, though a failure is the only chip at the table. Give it to one of the networks and they will showcase the top teams in the PAC. And not always after dark. Oregon and USC are the PAC's best bargaining chips. But they are devalued with their fellow members. Not because the other members are bad partners. It's because neither Oregon or USC can dominate a weak conference, convincingly......

I have enjoyed this thread immensely today as the comments and POV's rolled in. A few thoughts ..... The Alliance cross over games will only be of interest to a network if they attract eyeballs. They will want USC, Oregon, Utah and maybe UCLA and washingtongueless. They will not pay top dollar for games that have no value, no interest, no added eyeballs. Consider this, do we want to put our top teams in harms way in OOC games? Take a pause and consider the match ups the networks will want. Unless their is an expanded 12 team playoff, this is a potential roadblock to getting to the current CFP. The games in conference matter and should have the highest priority I agree with JJ, an 18 team conference that covers 3 time zones can be enticing. Supply and demand dictates prices. 4 conferences instead of 5 is less supply. The demand will be high from networks outside looking in. Especially at the negotiating table....... There will still be the same amount of teams. But the same 3 Alliance conferences. Other than tOSU and Clemson the ACC and BIG have no better or worse teams than the expanded PAC. When USC and Oregon are at their best, they are equal TV draws as tOSU and Clemson. And let's be clear, again! Which match ups will networks pay top dollar for? Most Alliance game match ups will not draw eyeballs unless the top teams play. These 3 conferences could have put the SEC as the odd man out. Bargaining negotiations would have had a way different snapshot. The merger would have cost the 12-PAC members nothing. The merger would have taken place at the time of contract negotiations. A true bargaining chip. But I acquiesce to the academic prowess of the 12 presidents. They must know best. After all just look at the success they showed with P12 Network. Just look at the state of the conference. Not very impressive. None of these clowns should have a say in anything sports related.

Darren, as always thank you for another thought provoking article. Should be some interesting POVs from the forum. I agree that all is not lost for the PAC. No matter how poorly the product is on the field, the PAC has the west coast and some of the mountain time zone. The networks need those time slots for viewing content. How much they pay may depend on the very crux of your article. In my opinion, the product on the field and its presentation (fan attendence) is boring. How much will the networks pay for boring? Currently each PAC team gets paid $18 million less than BIG members and about $9 million less than SEC members. A season.......WTH.... Every 5 years Rutgers and Maryland get near $100 million more than the PAC teams.........goodness. That gap will widen with the next TV contract. The PAC needs to put a more compelling product on the field. I agree with your 3 points but have reservations on them as well. 1. USC. The Trojans may be enamored with their blue blood status but a near generation of talent is not. Riley has no track record of building a dumpster fire program from the ashes. He took over a powerhouse. Time will tell.... 2. The Alliance games will have an uptick in ratings. As long as the top teams are involved. TV will want USC-Clemson or Oregon-Michigan. Not WSU-Rutgers or Arizona-Duke. A great deal to risk, how much to gain for the PAC.? Adding the remnants of the BIG 12 would have brought Texas eyeballs to the market and 3 time zones of games into the next TV contract. Last I looked the B-12 had 2 teams in New Years 6 Bowls. I would rather see Baylor-Oregon and USC-OSU on a Saturday telecast than have Cincinnati and BYU fill in for the PAC teams. But that shipped sailed..... 3. Oregon has potential as so do the Trojans. Oregon fans bring energy to the game and telecasts. However, we have an unproven coach. Time will tell......... For the last 6 seasons, 8 year olds who are now 14 all over the country have had very little to be excited about when watching the PAC. They will be making college decisions in the next few years......just like the networks with new contracts will be..... Time is running out, the clock is ticking. No amount of academic prowess or past glory will bring talent or money to the PAC. I guess time will tell.....

Caleb was fortunate to play for a coach who gave him a chance. He certainly made the most of that opportunity. Hard to see him not following that coach to USC. Wonder what could have been if our young QB's had been given a chance? I must pause here................to not break the rules. WUSAW, WUSAW. There were plenty of opportunities where the Ducks needed a spark during the game. A change of pace, a dog and a beer........ Not our coaches..........