Darren Perkins

Yup, I'll be right there with ya, the weird vibe and all!

Yeah, gotta figure, it's a good chance to impress the new coaching staff for some PT next year.

Definitely not the top announcing crew for this game.

Utah, who is completely pumped to be there, better roll over the Buckeyes. But knowing the Pac-12 (ie games they tend to lose), a half-hearted Ohio State might win. But, i'm also thinking that Utah will rise up. So, it should be a good game.

True. It's a good chance for younger players to try to prove themselves, I think....

Yeah, no kidding. When I started to think of things to write about over the weekend, it suddenly hit me, "oh yeah! the game!"

Funny, I almost went with the Spring Game comparison.

I say acquire talent, then let the chips fall where they may... no need to overthink it.

Safe to say none of these programs would be throwing shade if Mullens had made an irrelevant hire such as Kelly or Wilcox. This is an indicator of a good hire.

Clearly they were NOT in game shape. ; )

Would probably need to grab a team that recently played in a bowl game, like Utah State, since they have been keeping in "game shape" and not a team that had shut it down for the year 3-4 weeks ago.

I have no doubt that it is the goal to have the Pac-12 #2 team in Las Vegas, but it can't just happen, I'm guessing there are contracts that need to expire first. Honestly, the Holiday Bowl should swallow their pride and move to Sofi. With the Rose Bowl happening close by, I don't think we'll ever see So-fi in the mix to host the CFP, but who knows, times are a changin. The whole lack of good stadiums out west was/is such the fault of California. This is why our #2 team goes to San Antonio. Took the beloved 49ers forever, Raiders couldn't get on there, Chargers couldn't get one there. It's pretty sad how that all went down. If San Diego had a nice new stadium that woulda improved the Holiday Bowl, but nah.

Uncle Rico, a true leader by example!!!

Yeah, it will be a little different for sure. They'll need to sell themselves as the responsible older brother or uncle type figure, not the DAD. lol.

I guess a possible analogy, is one watching their kids grow up. Often the fondest memories were when they were little kids, but now as they tranisition into adulthood they need guidance in making adult decision. They're not the cute innocent little kids anymore.

Thanks, Jon. Off the top of my head, the Georgia scheduling was because Oregon (and Georgia) had a scheduling hole to fill, I could be wrong, but it was only scheduled a couple years ago, so something must have come up "last minute." Obviously, Oregon has had no problems over the past 20 years scheduling big-time home and home games, so it was something unique. So, that brings up location, these big-time one-offs seem to always get scheduled at "sexy" southern NFL stadium, partly because, outside of Phoenix, the West coast hasn't had any sexy new stadiums. But now, with LA and LV filling that void, I suspect some of these big-time one-offs will move west. Especially Las Vegas.

"The Havana Huckster"... love it! We lost some players due to MC bolting, but a new coach often brings in some different guys, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Plus, the recruiting sites , in my opinion, put to much emphasis on the size of the class, USC it ranked way down because they currently have a small class, but the average star-rating per player is top-ten.

Thanks for sharing.... Gotta have The Eye of the Tiger, baby, Eye of the Tiger!!!

Totally, MC leaving will prove to be beneficial to the Ducks.

Agree. And that's why in spite of his inability to coach guys up, MC is so important in the history of Oregon football. He proved you can recruit big to Eugene, when it was always thought that you couldn't. Now combine the great recruiting with great coaching, and watch out.

Totally correct. I live up here in Wazzu country, and we all still root hard for Gardiner Minshew! (he should be starting tonight) The epitome of what you are talking about.

Yes, and competence on offense, no more Pistol Plunge!

Yep, Brooks was a young, old-school type of leader for sure.

Thanks for sharing, that is a great story, and inspriring. Actually a topic I tend to think about as I get older. Hopefully I will continue to look to the future as well.

Yep, and that's why we are happy to have a coach can recruit AND will allmost assuredly coach them up better than MC.