HappyToBeADuck

Jon, thank you for dissecting this information from that interview. There is a lot to unpack mentally. The schools managed to survive the financial impact of Title IX requirements. While the House decision could bring a blockbuster financial burden, the schools will find a way survive. A solution that can be managed will be settled upon, if needed. However, There will be cutbacks in coaches and scholarships for non revenue sports. Club sports all around, maybe? No one knows yet what the true cost will be as the Pandoras box is open fully. Once upon a time, since 1869, a few athletes asked the NCAA, athletic department or administration for a few dollars spending money. They were told NO! Then a few athletes wanted a share of promotional sales from marketing jersey's. They were told NO! They just wanted a fair share, not the whole pie. The NCAA and schools did not want to share! Then as a few athletes cases moved thru the court system it is apparent that others feel those selfish NO's were unjust and violated laws. No one to blame but themselves! Will they learn their lessons? The BIG administrators really havent learned to not put money first. Hey Oregon and Washington, we really wanted you all along. Come join us but at half price! That is the one thing that never changes......

Here us my 2 cents on this tOSU has the talent and soft enough schedule to finish 12-0 in the regular season. They will hit Autzen in full stride with their focus on showing OBD's that they are the top dog(s) in the BIG! The Ducks will give the Buckeyes everything they can handle and then some. Neither team will be penalized for a close loss in a great game......... Oregon certainly has the talent to finish the regular season 11-1. Will they? The Buckeyes and road trips to Ann Arbor and Madison will be stiff challenges. My guess is 10-2. OBD's do not overlook any team...... Michigan and Penn State will probably be 10-2. Neither team has a difficult schedule in the conference. Michigan will have a big time battle with Texas. (Advantage Texas?) Penn State will be tested hard in Morgantown. No other teams will crack this top 4 in the BIG. As long as 10-2 gets OBD's a CFP invite then personally I hope PSU or Michigan finish second. Battling tOSU in the BIG Title game will take its toll on any team. Injuries and fatigue could weaken any team. Remember their wont be a 3 week rest between these games. Other than the Ducks, no former PAC school will be a CFP challenger in 2024. The Ducks cannot let the huskies spoil the party. The putrid dogs need a thrashing in Autzen. Go Ducks.......

Jon thanks for your thoughts and projections for the 2024 Duck season and the 12 potential CFP teams. If they give the champs of the P4 Conferences automatic first round byes in the CFP, then your picks for FSU and Utah as 3 and 4 are very solid. I feel like the mid november road trip to Whisky and the final game at home against the huskies are the key to CFP for OBD's. No room for a 3rd loss...... My way to early and uninformed top 4 in the BIG..... tOSU - 12-0 PSU -11-1 ( Easy schedule IMHO) MIchigan 11-1 Whoever finishes 10-2 amongst Oregon-Iowa-Wisconsin-Usuck There is no room for a 9-3 team from the BIG. If the Ducks and trojans finish 10-2 then the BIG could have 5 teams in the CFP and the SEC 4 teams. Gonna be fun and somebody is going to be left out. The more it changes the more things stay the same.. If 2 teams from the same conference make it to the Natty the payouts to that conference could be between $200 and $250 million dollars. WOW! Go Ducks.......

This is a big get for OBD's and a critical piece to staying in and winning against tOSU. The 2023 roster had a weakness in the secondary that could not stop NFL bound Penix and his trio of NFL bound receivers. Especially in critical moments. Just a few key plays kept OBD's from 13-0 and a CFP invite. Some of those plays involved the secondary. tOSU Buckeyes may not have a Michael Penix but they have high quality NFL bound receivers. These receivers must be contained to improve the chances for victory. The talent on the 2024 squad can win the BIG. Without top secondary talent we could see a 2023 repeat of the husky disappointments. This fan does not want to lose the Buckeye game in Eugene, then again in the BIG Title game. These 4 back end transfers are critical to winning 1 or both games. You know we could play the Buckeyes 3 times next season...... The 2023 backend was not broken. They just didnt match up against those talented husky receivers. It appears DL is taking steps to not let that happen......especially against the Buckeyes Go Ducks! Consider that the cost for these players is part of doing business in college football. NIL does not cost the Ducks a penny. It is provided by those who can afford the investment into the program. DL is committed to Oregon and its success. He and his staff put in the work and the time. It's easy for the NIL collective ro return that with money. So HappyToBeADuck!

My guess, for what it is worth, is that DL will field a team that is 2 deep, with top level talent. This depth and talent will serve them well during that 9 game stretch. In 2023, with all the rotations, the Ducks never looked or played tired. The S and C for the players in 2023 stood out to me. We may have not come from behind at TT (in that heat) to snatch that win without it. TT ran out of gas, not the Ducks 2024 will be a grind and the year that Oregon establishes its brand as top 5...... Penn State has a cake walk of a season compared to the Ducks in 2024. OBD's have no margin for error with tOSU and Michigan on the schedule. They must win the other 10 games no matter the circumstances. Us fans are going to need to get prepared for what could be an emotional, nail biting season. Go DL....Go Ducks.

Without a doubt the current BIG members will have to adjust and recruit better to compete with the offenses that the 4 incoming schools present........ As Charles pointed out they have seen offensive firepower from tOSU Buckeyes for years. And all but Michigan (last 3 years) have failed in their attempts to beat the Buckeyes. In 2024, the Ducks on paper, bring a fierce competitor on par with tOSU. Every team, except tOSU and UM, will need their A plus effort and the perfect storm to take OBD's down to defeat. Cant speak has to how usc, ucla and huskies will do until the rosters are completed after spring ball. In looking at the 2024 schedule the Nittany Lions have a schedule that positions them for a 2nd or 3rd place finish. They get tOSU (loss) and huskies at home. Road game to usc and dont face Michigan or the Ducks. That is a scheduling break for sure. They are replacing 6 key NFL bound defensive players with top level TP players. 11-1 or 10-2 positions them nicely for a CFP invite. The Ducks will be positioned to win 10 games with sheer talent, coaching continuity and an explosive offense. They will stretch the opposing defenses and attach every inch of the field. Michigan on the road and tOSU at home will be toss up games and could be a win or a loss. We could be 9-2 when we face the huskies. No more losing to those dogs because 9-3 will not garner a CFP invite. Especially the last gane of the regular season. DL and staff will have the team ready to compete at the highest level. However, OBD's will face 2 or 3 top 10 teams in 2024. We only faced 1 legitimate top 10 team in 2023 and lost both times. That trend must stop in 2024 and I believe it will. .... OBDF, we are playing in the BIG leagues now Go Ducks.....

Critical Duck, thanks for posting this updated roster. For me 2 things standout about this list. 1. It is beyond way to early because teams still have the transfer portal to fill gaps and eliminate weaknesses. 2. While i am excited about all the preseason hype for OBD's, and it is justified, well I cant get past the 2 losses to the huskies. 12 wins in 2023 was awesome. However, the schedule was favorable and the huskies were the only real challenge on that schedule after the TT road trip. Both games were winnable for the Ducks. Yet we didn't win! Why? Michigan had no trouble negating Penix and his receivers. And they ran over the huskies. We did neither, especially in crunch time. 2024's schedule is tough and we will face 2 or 3 Top 10 teams. UM and tOSU are more of a challenge than the huskies. My eyes tell me DL and staff are recruiting to fix and fill those defensive needs. We will find out when tOSU squad comes to Eugene. Then those road trups to Michigan and Wisconsin will answer if its hype or ODD's are TOP 5..... Go Ducks......

JJ that article presented a great deal of detailed info to make your case! Well done and thanks. uscuck definitely has the toughest road for certain. All the newbies have pretty tough schedules. Playing Top 10 teams is always rough. IMHO, i dont feel the actual schedule matters as much as which teams are ready to make a move to the top 4 of the BIG? Michigan, tOSU and PSU have had a choke hold on the top 3 spots for years. Iowa and Wisconsin, will not be easy outs. Especially on the road in November for any of the 4 babies. For this fan it boils down to who has the talent, continuity and coaching combination to win those contests? usc - no Ucla - no uw- not sure at this point..... Oregon - yes????? Perhaps we will have a better idea after spring ball and the final round of the portal. Should be alot of off season fireworks.! GO Ducks........

Good post Dr. Hilarius! Now that Sports Illustrated has been found out for AI articles under false names, well anything is possible. The article was presented like my many 10 year old grandchildren write. Uninformed, but spouting like an expert. What dribble...... If you are a player that sees the field on a Top 10 team then you are a cut above......

Schedules can be very problematic for sure. Fair or not, champions get the job done. The CFP doesnt even consider fair schedules. tOSU couldnt beat Michigan and OBD's couldnt beat the huskies. No matter how easy or hard your schedule is, you have to win the big games. That's what champions do! Our Ducks have 3 hugh games next season. tOSU, michigan and huskies. They most likely need to win 2 of those games to finish in top 12 for CFP invite. The other 9 games they better win because they should be the more talented team on the field. No margin for error on those 9 games. The most critical game is tOSU tilt in Eugene. Both teams will be undefeated and Top 5. As long as the game is a close score, hard fought battle and lives up to its expectations, then the loser will not drop. OBD's didnt drop out of the Top 10 even with 2 losses. The Ducks will have at least 3 bigtime games on National TV. The stage will be big! Go Ducks

Personally, the 2 NW schools will be treated like red haired step childs until they appear in title games, win BIG Titles, make multiple CFP appearances and win a Natty Or really draw viewers. The hierarchy pecking order, IMHO: ■ Michigan ■ tOSU ■ PSU ■ The Socal TV market The networks will set up prime time games for usuck and uclasuck. The Ducks and huskies will have to earn their stripes. We are nothing to them at this point Hopefully, the tOSU game will draw 10 million plus viewers and the Ducks win. Then the Michigan game viewership could be off the charts. Only viewers matter to the networks. It's a new world and OBD's are positioned ro carve out their place in it. Go Ducks......

That 3 minute meeting, if true, is?diappointing on so many levels That will come back to bite him hard on the recruiting trail. Between camps and social media those remaing players and incoming recruits know each other.... He lost their trust.... Evidently his word is not his bond. He truly is perfect for the horde up north. It's okay to take a better job for much more money. Thats good business. Players and their families undetstand that. Players will leave for a better NIL or playing time. However, players and their families welcomed you and your staff into their homes. You gave them all the reasons to come to AU. You gave them assurances asked them to trust you....... Aren't they worth your time to answer their heartfelt questions and take some heat? The pos city in Washington and your future was going to be there 10 or 60 minutes later. Good luck selling your we are family line in the furure. Go Ducks.....

As I look back and remember how I was feeling (estatic) when WT had a top 5 recruiting class in hand before bolting for FSU. And how I felt (disappointed and distraught) as that Top 5 class unraveled as MC did his best to salvage it. A part of me wants to feel sorry for the pitiful huskies but i just can't bring myself to it. The happiness i feel as I watch the fan meltdown is only exceeded by the happiness i feel that DL stayed! Often it is the simple things in life that bring us joy snd happiness....

One of the greatest gifts The Almighty gave Adam and Eve was the right to choose, coupled with consequences for their choices. He gave them one simple rule; dont partake of the forbidden fruit. Obey that rule and enjoy the benefits of all available in the Garden of Eden. Break that rule, be banished from Eden and suffer the consequences of the harsh world. However, forgiveness was made available for those who are truly sorry. Charles has a few simple rules for OBDF mrmbers that are governed by simply being respectful of and to others. Forgiveness is available to those who understand how the rule was broken and work to not repeat the violation. This Forum is very unique and special. It thrives from the respect we give to each other to share our thoughts and feelings, in a safe place. Each of us carries our own feelings and different views, juiced up with passion, joy, anger and ample liquid courage. Fully knowing we are safe to openly express ourselves in a respectful way. We have the freedom to choose to follow or break the rules. Consequences, good or bad may follow. No they will follow...... Notalot, that was a great post filled with passion embedded in a lifetime of experience. OBDF is better from your post. However, Sir Charles is right that the reality of human nature will rear up its ugly head. Fans will boo when performance is poor and does not meet their expectation. Coach DL will most likely hear the boos. But he also has the freedom to choose how he handles those chorus of boos. Or those calling for his firing. Members of this Forum crossed the line over the first 3 point loss in 2023 to those bastardos up north. But Charles forgave them. Our flawed leader understands the value of forgiveness. Let me give you an example of an unforgiveable sin. Last year my business schedule had me out of town. That evening I was out to dinner with 2 customers and their lovely wifes. While waiting for our food I noticed how nicely dressed my customers were and the many other couples in the restaurant. I spoke out loud and asked why everyone was dressed so nice? One of the wives said it's Valentines Day. I dropped my head in shame. The other wife said you have plenty of time to get a card and gift at the mall. She was trying to comfort me. I said that was the least of my concerns. After 18 years together my wife finally proposed marriage, darn it took her long enough. She thought it would be a great idea to get married on VDay so I wouldn't' forget our wedding anniversary. We met on VDay, got married on VDay 7 years ago and today was our 25th anniversary of our first everything. Everyone was silent! One of the guys said to call her, wish her Happy Anniversary, Happy Valentines Day and ask for forgiveness for forgetting. Both wives said that would be a good start but not enough. One of the wives asked me what I thought the statute of limitations for forgiveness was on such a inexcusable action? I said I simply didn't know! She said " Not in this lifetime or the eternal lifetime." Well I said I am sure God would forgive me. She said " God is to wise to interfere between a husband and wife. He didn't interfere with Adam and Eve, he let them suffer the consequences of their actions." The other wife said " Pretty certain God will forgive you. But you will still suffer the consequences of your actions" Boy those ladies were sure right!

Do you know what it is called.... When your expectation of things to come don't meet the realization of the actual end result Or When your entitlement visions dont match reality? That would ve called a husky or trojan fan...... I guess the sky actually fell at Montlake! What a great week.... Go Ducks!

Great comments and thoights on this thread.. .. The huskies should make a big time, top 10 pay check offer to CP. Start at the Top, then work down. Costs nothing but fuel in the jet to go see him. Get his thoughts at least. Maybe a short gig to bridge the gap. Pete is high class and quality. At the very least, name a current assistant, with Pete as a consultant. As for Arizona, Fisch has no pressure on him. At uw, CP and Deboer set a high bar of expectations. Depending on the big 12 conference revenue split, Arizona can cut into that deficit with a CFP game. They say 20-30 million for first round games. Quarterfinals $30-40 million. The expanded playoffs will be a cash cow. Why climb over Michigan, tOSU, PSU and Oregon to get an invite. No such powerhouse teams in the little big 12. Stay home, leverage a pay raise with CFP appearance bonuses. Recruit Texas, Florida and Cali from Tuscon. Build your own legend. Most likely he will move to armpit that Seattle has become. Best of luck to all.

Any road wins, in any conference are big victories. And i to am encouraged and hopeful. If and when the bigs return the options for DA really expand. They provide multiple complications for the Ducks opponents. Best part for me is the team has energy and is playing with effort. Go Ducks.......

We, as others have posted, will get a better meausure of the team when they start playing the top half of the conference. Fun start for the team and fans, for sure. The Cougar football team started 4-0 in 2023. How did that turn out when the competition improved? Go Ducks......

Thanks Grandpa Duck for sharing your family journey. Sometimes core family values and careers place tremendous strain on the family unit. Making balanced choices isn't often easy. Smart decision making is needed no matter the priorities..... For WT and MC going home may have worked out great for them and their families. Career wise maybe not? The massive pay days certainly eased them thru their mistakes. Coach Lanning has his family living where they are happy, coupled with big time paychecks. Lanning doesnt have to leave Eigene to go home and have his dream job. Eugene is his dream job and his home. DL will hold his job during those 8-5 or 7-6 seasons in Eugene. The fans will be frustrated but supportive. Some Forum members will meltdown and be temporarily banned. But the Oregon fans are family and DL Is part of the family Back to back mediocre seasons at Tuscaloosa and you will be gone.

I just love this Forum. Great post Duckster. Only on OBDF can the sky be falling all around us one moment then the next moment.........wow the Sun game up! Who knew DL has grit, character and is a man of his word........ Not much of that going around these days. Some high quality coach is going ro jump ship and devastate their fanbase. Just not DL, for now. Go Ducks.........

The writer sid a good job in his analysis of the teams. However, way to early. More transfers will take place after spring ball and final rosters are whay counts. What will matter is where the Ducks are ranked after the tOSU and Michigan games. OBD' must win one of those games.... I am certain the trojan fans will demand a recount for they were left off the TOP 25 list. Must be a mistake for sure........ Go Ducks...........

As a fan this was a great season and one of the best in many years. Many shoulda, coulda wouldas for sure! Very few lows and simply entertaining Congrats to the Wolverines, they beat a very good husky team. That is the benchmark for DL and his staff. Build teams to beat Michigan and tOSU, year in and year out. You have to beat a champion to become The Champion. Fond farewell to the PAC12 and lets go win the BIG......

Thanks Jon for the schedule info and breakdown for 2024. Sets up for a fun rollercoaster ride...... PSU has a very favorable path to the CFP but they need to find an offense that can score 40 points plus in a few of their games. 11-1 or 10-2. As you pointed out, Michigan will suffer a loss of talent to graduation and the NFL. Perhaps even their HC. I will hold off on Michigan until after spring ball! With Penix and those talented receivers headed to the NFL I expect the huskies to drop a bit. However, Deboer is one hec of a coach.... There is no reason to expect tOSU to not go 11-1. Nothing changes for them. Same with OBD's.....11-1 or 10-2. However, DL and staff must win those big games or its 9-3.... usc and ucla will not be a factor. Spoiler maybe? So tOSU and PSU should be in the CFP. uw, Michigan and Ducks fight for the 3rd invite. Not sure a 4th team will get an invite. Three teams at 11-1 and one st 10-2 could land a 4th invite. So much has to fall in place........ Big home wins against Buckeyes and huskies, coupled with no other stumbles(other than at Michigan) should put Ducks at 11-1. They would be in...... This is dependent on DG coming in and executing at an NFL level and the holes on defense filled..... Going to be fun but nerve wracking for thiscold Duck. GO DUCKS!

Great news for all us Duck fans.... Jordan Burch and a number of returning Ducks have a great opportunity to raise their draft stock. Bo, by returning, moved from a midrounder to perhaps a 1st roind pick. With above average NIL money flowing these players dont have to risk leaving early. Grow into your man body, develope your skills and play on the big stage. Late 1st and 2nd rounders get 4 year deals in the millions. The NFL will not run out of money anytime soon. So take the opportunity to increase your value. IMHO, all the returning players can build a 1st or 2nd round pick resume. So can some of the TP players! GO Ducks.....

Really excited to see the 4-0 conference start by the team. Every early win matters during selection time for the tourney. These early wins help build confidence even though these wins came from playing the bottom half of the PAC. Hopefully the big guys can return soon. Go Ducks.....