HappyToBeADuck

Oklahoma 38-17, 1, 0, 245 Boy I hope I am wrong.... Go Ducks. Let's be the team you were in the shoe. Run it down their throats and make me a bad game predictor.

MaiTaiDuck This truly was a difficult year. Especially watching those games live. Anger and frustration built in many of us. Its okay and natural. Who would have thought that so much angst would be present in a 10 win season? We had amazing highs (tOSU, UCLA). Mediocre wins that should have been blowouts. And absolute gut punches in both Utah bed wetting sessions. WTH Sometimes we just need to vent or talk with someone.. That's what this great forum is all about. Thanks for the heartfelt apology. You did not hurt my feelings or ever offend me. I enjoy your posts and look forward to many more. Welcome back and Happy New Year.

Joshua, once again, thanks for taking the time to give us this article. You are spot on that future recruits will be tuning into this game. It's the first matchup between high powered national brands this bowl season. Team enthusiasm and performance matter. Recruits from the PAC, BIG 12 and future BIG 12 teams, IMHO, will be watching. After all, these 2 National brands represent conferences that these youngsters will be living and playing in for the next 3-6 years. What am I looking for tonight? What future Duck leaders will emerge during this game from the young players? With only 8 upper classesmen potentially tonight. This game is about the future. Would like to see some of that future play tonight. Even if execution is lacking, would like to see great effort........ Go Ducks. Not enough info to really pick a winner either way.

Haywardduck Wow......... A lot to digest on this topic.......... Warning, if you don't want to be bored, stop reading here. NOW. Some OBD members, including myself, will burn many a brain cell on this, for sure. Not only do people come in different shapes and sizes they come with even more diverse personalities. I deal, day in with diverse personalities. I love people so I accept these unique differences in their traits. They were born with their specific DNA and genetic make-up. Personality change is difficult. Takes self awareness, self examination, self discipline and control. Those traits will control how they view anything. And I do not try to change them. Those traits control fan emotions, view points and reactions. Mix in a $150 ticket and booze and view points get skewered. I will not bore everyone, so I will cover just a few of the numerous traits. This is no criticism of anyone. Just generalizations to put your topic in perspective. I won't use clinical terms or base psychological terms. I get $2,500 a day for that. For example: A+ dominant types like General Patton. Win at all costs, always right can take no input. They are never wrong and can't accept how others don't think and act like them. Doesn't matter who gets hurt. Charles and the moderating front seven are ever vigilant toward these types. Thank goodness. They are the parents that storm troop the sidelines yelling and screaming at their kids and coaches. They ruin it for everyone, especially their own child. It's in all sports. They don't care who they hurt. They are always right. Winning is all that matters. I had players who begged me to ban their mom or dad from the games. Or at the least, stop the negative criticism. There were even violent confrontations with these types. Now you don't have to be A+ dominant to be a fan that wants to just win. Cheerful, rah rah positive types want to win, too. Cup half full ready to support, no matter the outcome. Their personality allows them to roll with the mistakes, yet be supportive Many of these types are nurses who become shift sypetvisors. They rally the troops thru difficult situations. Boost morale. They recognize the growth that is taking place in the player and the team. Any criticism should come from the coaches. Empath personalities and neutral personalities may want to win, too. But not at the expense of hurting anyone. Not the kids or coaches. They want all the players to be recognized for their efforts. No player criticism on performance. Participation trophies for all. To them, this is just a game, a game played for fun. Just another stepping stone in building character. Win or lose, each path when handled correctly is a learning opportunity. I can't speak for anyone else on their personality traits and how they view handling their emotions. Or how they view a game. For me I am the rah rah, super salesman type. Building self confidence and teamwork are the goals. Winning just follows when you believe in the players more than they believe in themselves. Set them up to succeed, don't tear them down to fail. No good ever comes from degrading anyone. Sorry to bore everyone. A few days ago on this forum someone started a topic with a video of a Duck presser at the Alamo Bowl. James Crepea was asking questions to JM and AB. One of the questions was about player criticism. AB took it in stride as a player and a man. If you didn't hear the hurt in his voice and the pain in his eyes, well...........

Jon Which conference should Oregon move to would make a great topic for a full blown article. At some point, without additional quality members and eyeballs the money disparity between the SEC and BIG versus the other conferences will be to substantial to ignore. Ducks will be forced to make a move.... This forum is filled with knowledgeable writers and posters. The opinions will be varied and the topic will be hot.

It's very possible..........

No blah blahs on this forum. Charles, you and your team are killing it with great ponder point articles and content. The forum members have been really lightning it up. Congrats for this evolving, revolving work of art.

Now it's time to land Cyrus Moss and a few of the previous recruits that Mario's after........ MC can have my thanks and best wishes. But it stops there....... Go Coach Lanning.........

30 Duck U are right. This has not been a phenomenal season for Oregon football. Yet the players overcame so much adversity to get 10 wins. An unheard of, impossible win in the shoe.... Yet, I agree that this was not a phenomenal year..... I need to go in the bathroom and wash my high expectations down a level.... Oh what could have been. Go Ducks, get that 11th win....

Never even thought about the Ducks really winning this game... Nice topic to ponder. My heart and soul says yes. They both are such Homers. My brain and gut instinct say no. They bring reason and facts to the table. If these youngsters and interim coaches win this game then this season will be truly remarkable. This team deserves a hard fought difficult victory against a great program. Why not? Hasn't everything this year been difficult for them?

I really like the diverse comments about Anthony Brown in this thread. Very thoughtful and direct, both pro and con. I support both lines of thinking. I just wonder what we were supposed to expect from AB? Some comments have clearly felt a 6th year senior should be prepared and better........ sure...... sounds good. Doesn't the end result depend on the preparation? The quality of teaching that went into AB? What kind of quality coaching did AB get at Boston College? Since 2015 BC is 42-44. Does that speak to getting quality instruction? Or nothing more than average....... Then AB came to Oregon under a HC who is 62-60. Came to a school that had under developed their QB's since Marcus. Sure we win games, better than average. However our QB track record the last 6 years is not stellar. Is it better than average? (Justin was a gift that helps support a staff that held him back) I can look at the situation with rose colored or green and gold glasses but that's an illusion I ask myself, how much quality QB coaching has Anthony Brown received in 6 seasons? Maybe AB played above the average coaching he received at both schools...........

Jon Auburn would have scored more points with Bo under center. Not sure about the outcome changing. Experience can pay dividends. Do we have 10 wins without AB and his experience? Just don't know. I am so concerned that while the PAC stands pat that the wheels are turning by those that want better or more. That win mattered to Houston, the AAC and the future BIG 12. Wether those wanting more are the networks or other AD'S leading their conferences or both. Rest assured their are aggressive forward thinkers(AD'S, network executives, marketing gurus and deep, deep picket boosters) looking out for their interests. Not the PAC's..........

Jon the portal will be like capturing lightning in a bottle. Those that catch it will potentially reap great rewards. Williams to USC might fall in that category, if it were to happen. Wonder if any Ducks will be heading to Miami? If they don't that could reveal a great deal. Besides anything is possible. Just heard that Houston beat Auburn. You know that team from the 8th largest media market in America. A team and market that maybe we could have had. I guess somethings just aren't possible..........

I remember AB being interviewed after the Fresno State game by the PAC 12 Network crew. He was visibly upset at his performance even though the Ducks won the game. It was a 4th quarter comeback win engineered by AB. When the AB interview was completed they broke to a commercial. When the crew came back on air they showed what happened between AB and Allioti during the break. Coach had his hands on AB's shoulder pads, looking him in the eye. Allotting told him to remember they won the game. He recognized AB owned it and now told him, go back to practice and fix it. Great advice by Coach and AB took it like a man and a leader. I disagree with the notion that AB doesn't get to defend himself. This young man did own it. Saw and heard it with my eyes and ears. He took Coaches advice and went about fixing it. He played and executed the game plan as per the coaches schemes. Never, and I mean never did I hear or see AB blame others. He repeatedly owned it. Measuring performance is subjective at best. Results are 10 wins, one in the shoe.

Darren thanks for those thoughts and words. I am confident you summed up how many on this forum feel. Not sure what the ratings have been for this bowl season but I have not watched a single game. Happy for the teams, players and fans of the schools who participated in the bowl games so far. Remember the excitement we felt as the Ducks earned the Independence Bowl invite? It was exciting..... Back then the Bowls were the prize. The only 2 games I have watched since the CIVIL WAR game have been the 2 FCS semi-final games. They were exciting and fun to watch. BTW, they were games that mattered. Football games are a contest not an exhibition. Or a beauty contest. The current format is just a beauty contest. Subjective not substantive. The format is just for the chosen few.........IMHO my opinion ESPN has ruined fan interest. Their greed pushed them to control it all. Now the bowls are less attractive and the road to the Natty leaves 10's of millions of fans unfulfilled. Not watched a CFP game since 2014. The last 2 seasons for me have just been a let down. Don't get me wrong, I love our Ducks and 14-6 thru the last 2 seasons is wonderful. Wins on the battlefield are the goal. But just plain vanilla in my opinion. Since the Ducks walked off the Rose Bowl field in 2020 where's the excitement and fun been? A few nail biters over the rivals to then be told we don't have enough academic prowess by a mascot led team that can't even use a toilet, except to drink out of it. The amazing win at the shoe is the highlight of the last 20 games. That game mattered. We won that beauty contest event. After that win, the chef (MC) got done cooking the stew. Every meal but a few were bland at best. I was full but most of the time unfulfilled. Even got indigestion. The first Utah debacle was a bad case of food poisoning. . I am so proud of the young men who have hung in thru the last 2 seasons. Proud of the youngsters who stepped up thru all the injuries. You have my full support. Enjoy the Alamo Bowl experience. It used to be considered a great reward for a hard fought season. Still is in my opinion. Just not a 5 course meal, anymore.

For certain the burden of the rule book has been lifted. Especially for boosters. Just bring a good proposal that entices players. Coaches and administrations will have their arms wide open. Can't you feel the love. All warm and fuzzy. Whatever under the table deals were done in the past, we may never know about. Doesn't matter, the future of football is upon us. If there were any prior shenanigans at Alabama, Georgia or Memphis, well Coach Lanning may have learned a few tricks. Glad he would no longer have to hide any. Here's wishing Coach Lanning has learned the best from those coaching staffs about....... Player development In game coaching adjustments Building a CFP worthy team that all Duck fans can be proud of. Go Ducks......

Some of those are valid points. But the Cane glory, you speak of is in the past. The past...... We are speaking of the current landscape......... For sure the talent pool is greater in Florida over Oregon. Population in Florida is greater, by far. A few Florida players came west to Oregon. But Oregons foot print is currently National. The Ducks recruit California, Texas and Florida.. The private jet has plenty of fuel and only needs to make 20-25 stops each year. But here is where the rubber meets the road. It's about coaching...... . If the talent is so good within 4 to 6 hours of the campus, how come the Canes aren't dominating the ACC and the CFP. I agree that the talent is there. I support your post. But where are your Championships the last 20 seasons? IMHO, lack of coaching and some recruiting losses have been the theme since Butch left. The Canes have had no 4 or 5 year runs of 10 plus wins per season. Ducks have Now you have Mario. He is one of if not thee best recruiter. But Miami has not been short on 4/5 star players the last 20 years. The Canes will have annual top 10 recruiting classes under Mario. He's amazing.... But, just as in the last 20 years or right now, these talented players need coaching and player development....... We at Oregon were blessed to see 2 and 3 star athletes developed into NFL ready talent. But more importantly developed as a team. We were blessed to have 4/5 star talent enroll at Oregon. Especially under Mario. Somehow though, the player development and team unity just didn't happen. As Charles said Miami got the coach they wanted. Careful what you wish for......... I just don't think combative posts will change many forums members minds about some of Mario's coaching decisions or player development. Even if Mario was posting to defend himself, he wouldn't change many minds.

Hello Captaincane I think John Charles presented a good list. But keep in mind it's all about who's cooking dinner and what ingredients we throw in the pot. Nothing like home cooking. So my statement was homerized...... A couple of my ingredients to add are: Since 2000 10 win seasons Ducks 12. - Canes 5 Wins Ducks 202. Canes 182 That's 1 more win per season Rabid fan base and some high powered donors who do not need to be asked for money. They bring it in an armored truck. Miami fans talk about the glory days and have done very little to get back there, until now. Oregon is committed to creating some glory days of their own. IMHO, Oregon has better trajectory and momentum, at this point...... The investment from Miami boosters is so far just a promise of things to come At Oregon the investment has been made and will continue Both schools started the 21st century on fire. Then a slight fall off for both schools. Then the Ducks reloaded and had a 6 year amazing run . .... The Canes did not. The Ducks had another 2 year drop, then Mario moved the Ducks to the top of the conference and 2 Championships. The Canes did not. Top dog is Clemson in ACC. Miami used to be a brand. Oregon is a brand............... Now as many on this forum can attest, I am not controversial. So let me say 3 final items: First, in 1985 Oregon was just learning how to win and go to bowl games. Miami under Howard S. was building a powerhouse. I rooted for the Canes to beat FSU, Notre Dame and Nebraska. The Canes made amazing Coaching hires and put the trophies in the case ......Scoreboard ! But they did not sustain it...... Second, records do matter. Mario as a head coach is 62-60. There is no mincing or waltzing around that. It's okay and IMHO nobody is smearing Mario. He has earned the respect of many on this forum. But the wins at Oregon belie the empty promises. The sting is still strong. If Charles didn't monitor this site you would really see how many feel about Mario You and Cane nation are going to find out, soon enough what that means. First hand......... Third, on this forum you probably won't get much love touting that Miami Natty in 200whatever... Why? Because the Canes did not play the 2nd best team in the country. You know the Oregon Ducks....... Nebraska playing Miami meant hire ratings. That's why they called it the BS National Championship game .. Sorry for the long response. And truly thank you for being on this great forum. Your participation makes it even better Call me out any time and PS. It's difficult to get Jon to move off his position. Just another voice that makes this forum so strong. Glad it's late. Nobody will read this post and it will probably get banned.

As the world turns.......... MC and how he handled this left me disappointed. We all knew his love for his Alma mater. No surprise that he took that job. He loves the school, the city and the memories.. Wish him well. Really do....... IMHO, Miami was and is not a step up or even a lateral move from Oregon. However a 12-1 MIAMI may be an easier ticket to the CFP. The Canes have street and media credibility Thank goodness we lost to Stanford and wet the bed against Utah. If not MC would have delayed his announcement thru the CFP. What a mess for recruiting, coaching hires and holding on to current players. Imagine starting the hiring process mid January?

The 4/5 star O Line talent that is at Oregon now and looking to come to Oregon wants to play in the NFL. Those big, strong road graders and bridge supports need the best coaching available. It appears this coach checks that box. As far as recruiting goes, the proof will be in the pudding........

Yes that's very good news for the team. Cyrus Moss has the potential to be a home run recruit. Gotta believe that one or 2 recruits that Coach Lanning has been building a relationship with at Georgia, may come out west, too.

For sure on that. Scott was nothing more than a puppet or court jester for the 12 presidents Washington isn't the only PAC school with the academic prowess mentality. In what world did the PAC presidents think standing pat was a power move. Clowns? Any aggressive move by another P-5 Conference or Network and the PAC, which is vulnerable, could be in harms way.......

Thanks Jon for this well organized and concerning article. Based upon the passion and frustration, on these 3 concerns, from your previous posts thru out the season there must have been a few rewrites and edits............ Whether these decisions were from the ego driven arrogance of the presidents or the ignorance and ego of Scott or both. .......... Either way the hard core truth in this article makes my blood boil. So I will control my anger as I revisit the blueprint of the PAC's self destruction. When the TV contract ends, what then? We have no bargaining power as we failed to position ourselves to offer the networks what they want..... More TV eyeballs within our footprint and fresh content. You know like SC vs Baylor or Oregon vs Oklahoma State. WTH......... When the BIG and SEC sign their new TV contracts each school could be receiving around $100,000,000 per year. Rutgers, Maryland, Vanderbilt, real football juggernauts cashing big annual payments. So how long will Oregon and USC stay in the PAC for a measley $50 to $60 million a year. Better yet why should they. Big time football deserves big time paydays. None to be found in the PAC..... You could guess that more than one conference will come calling......

Ultimately when the PAC leaders turned down expansion they may have sealed their own fate. They had the perfect chance to make it a P4 group. Eliminate a major competitor and pick up a few key contributing schools Stick their nose in Texas, carry three time zones and be a player. Now when the next moves are made what will the remaining PAC schools do when USC, Oregon and a few more schools leave the conference. USC and Oregon will not be part of a have nots conference. When the shift comes the big boys will be forced to move where the big money is. JJ is right. Add the BIG 12 to the alliance. Go at it as a group separate from SEC/ESPN. Include a few of the Group of 5 conferences in a true 16 team National Championship tournament. It's eat or be eaten. Create something that ALL the networks can be a part of and bid on. The money will flow because 3/4ths of the country or more will be interested in. Create something that. ESPN can't survive without...... The PAC had a chance to take the 2nd lethal bite out of the remnants of the landscape. SEC, Texas and Oklahoma took the first bite. I am afraid, without aggressive moves , the next bite will be taken out of the PAC.

Always and in all ways fans are susceptible to any and all optimism. We need some hope. The double gut punch from WT and MC the last 5 years has reduced the flaming torch of promise to a flickering candle for many. We jump at any hope and promise. However....... In order for success to take place in any venture...... .. for hope to be realized! Then......... Opportunity and preparedness must meet........ The opportunity for these players to put their stamp on this season comes in the form of win #11. Are they prepared?