Darren Perkins

We can't count on them not ever getting that talent, maybe they'll be a little thin on the lines for a year or two.

Which makes it all the more painful that Oregon couldn't maintain being at the top of the Pac-12 in the 2010's while USC was down. But, overall, we're stronger now, we know we can recruit at a high level and have a great staff to hopefully get most out its players, unlike what we saw with MC.

All true. Best we accept it now and then enjoy the upcoming big-time rivalry with USC.

Good for AZ though, hopefully they'll get good, can only help the conference, at least until their coach gets poached away.

True. But is can also be what draws more talent. Fingers crossed we still recruit great in SoCal.

Yup, having a good USC can only mean more money for all!

It will makes things for exciting for sure. Fun times ahead.

Totally. I mean, it's not like Riley went to the SEC, if the Trojans can rise up against Utah, they just might be playing in Las Vegas next December.

Thank Jon, from some of your past comments in the forum I knew you were also very aware of the danger that USC now presents. And as Ducks, we have to be ready!!! I cooled my jets in saying they will win the South in 2022, but it could happen. They are going to be very dangerous offensively, and if they can get past the Utes, watch out!

Totally agree, it make things more scary as Ducks fans, but having a great rivalry make things very exciting. For example, As much as I like destroying UW, it is also very fun when the Huskies are competitive and the stakes are high. Same with SC.

Very good point. Yes, a bad USC makes it easier to reach the CFP, but if you don't have what it takes you're gonna get soundly beaten in the CFP. That's pretty much what happend to Riley at Oklahoma, but those teams would have been good enought to win the Pac-12, which is our fist concern.

Agree, and while it does blow on one hand having to play a very good USC, it does make life more exciting. And, that undefeated UW in 2016, there were some serious doubts if they were going to make the CFP based on their weak schedule, so definitely benefits the schedule strength.

Nobody is being crowned here. I wrote this for the sake of awareness. Don't underestimate the enemy. USC has been a sleeping giant and we know what they are capable of when they have the right coach in place. I've just seen so many people being dismissive of them, sure, Riley could suck at USC, but I wouldn't make that bet. And sure, you can poke holes in his success, but if he can win the Big 12 and make the CFP, there's no reason to think he can't do the same in the Pac-12.

Agree, on one hand it does suck that we will have a good USC to have to compete with, but it does make things more exciting. I think George has it in the cards to go to 8 conference games. And really, the conference championship game is a playoff game, so bring it.

Funny, thanks saying this because I almost added a paragraph addressing this very thought. Many of the same fans who are playing down his importance as USC would have the exact opposite reaction if he was in Eugene.

Exactly, and what you just said is the message I'm trying to convey here, this isn't going to be the same mediocre USC we've seen since Caroll left, we have to arm ourselves with the expectatiion that USC is going to be really good, and not be surprised when it happens.

In the article I was implying that they will be firing on all cylinders in the near future, probably within two years, but not at the moent they are not, but I expect at least 8 wins next year.

Ok, well, last I checked the Pac-12 isn't exactly the SEC, so if he can have success in the "small pond" Big 12 he can have success in the small pond Pac-12.

Right, and the PAc-12 is full of "Oregon State" like teams, so I would expect them to at the very least reverse the 4-8 and go 8-4 based on coaching competance alone. That's why I didn't say they were going to win it in 2022, but I feel they have a very strong shot in 2023 and for sure in 2024.

Thanks. Very solid points to consider!

Thanks. I hear ya, the pros are that a good USC elevates the conference and the reveunue, the con is it make the life of Oregon a lot more difficult.

Defense will be their question mark, but a strong argument could be made that over the past 5 years, going west from the Texas/Oklahoma region to the Pacific ocean, that the Sooners have been the best out west. So, my thinking is, if he can do at Oklahoma, I believe he can do it at USC (with most likely more talent). Oregon is the top program that can stop them. Should be exciting.

This is what I was thinking as well, so we can't freak out when a lot of players hit the portal, and think, "Lanning doesn't know what he's doing!" ... when in fact he knows exactly what he is doing. Just gotta trust the process.

Totally, how your son read it is essentially how I read it. Technically speaking, those who have an issue with it are correct, technically speaking. But as so often in life, with people of all ages (not just the young) and in various circumstances, we need to dig a little deeper and try to interpret what is meant, and not simply what is literally said.

We might be overanalyzing this just a bit. When I first read it I didn't think anything wrong with it, until I read the comments. I took the the "wanna see the love" as him wanting to see the fans getting excited and supporting the basketball team. Ya know, Autzen and Oregon fans do have a reputation for that. Could it be he just didn't word the intent of his post clearly? He is a high school kid.