Charles Fischer

Yep, I wrote that last year, and believed it at the time. That is why, when you actually put it out there for thousands to read, it makes predicting a bit more fearless. (Because people like you come back to fry me for sticking my neck out) I have written about this before, but last year we did not have the pass rushing skills needed, and we learned that in the second game of the year. Thus, the rest of the year the Ducks were in a very conservative defense, and when added to the injuries, along with the lack of skill, we were left with the less that an impressive defensive line performance. A big difference compared to last year, is the addition of Birch and Matayo, which will free up the skills of those on opposite sides, as well as the middle, in addition to Popo being back and a healthy Brandon Dorlus. But of course, we will have to see it on the field, but then, once we do—it is no longer a prediction!

JPJ is a fun one to cheer for, and I welcome you to this forum. Do share your thoughts often and join the fun here...as this is going to be quite the season!

And you sir, are a great CFB fan who is welcome to post often here, as you give us well written thoughts and perspectives that are enjoyable to read. Please continue, and good luck with your team's season!

Fearless is putting it in print--where the trollers can turn to later. It is easy to say, "put money down," when you have not had hundreds of people in the past denigrate you badly for predictions made as I have. When reading a thread where everyone is insulting you, and it makes you sick to your stomach...(as happened a few years ago) that tempers what you write and how you write it in the future. You have not experienced it as I have. Thus making this prediction makes it all the more fearless, considering the tons of people later who, if things with the season don't turn out will...

Nearly twice that of the Huskies? Oregon will do very well in the B1G... (Remember that the vast majority of Oregon's 4/5-Stars are very young...)

And Husky fans are complaining about the same on their boards. Love it!

Whoa! Now that is red Kool Aid!

My Duck-Buddies....did I write that Dan Lanning is a problem solver? We did not have a pass-rush last year, and for Spring Football he had 12 Edge Rushers? Twelve? You only need four or five, but he wanted to be certain, so between portal transfers and hs recruits--he had 12 auditioning for the Edge-Rusher/JACK linebacker position. Who does that? What coach actually pulls that off in his first year? It is one thing to say you are going to solve the problem, but does the coach have the recruiting chops to actually make it happen? This guy does, and DID.

When do you have a Heisman Trophy candidate, a 5th year senior returning at QB? And one of the top RBs in the nation? And eight experienced OLs, tons of proven talent at WR and TE? Almost never. This is a very special year with all the experience, tons of game experience returning. This will be our best shot in a few years, IMHO.

You are making an observation that we all noted, but most important--Dan acted on it. This coach goes out and solves problems like no coach I've ever seen. We needed help at defensive back, and he went out and got four experienced, savvy players from the portal? Did you see the crisp tackling, and the tight coverage in the Spring Game? We have not witnessed that in a long time, and I believe this is the deepest group at defensive back ever at Oregon. The starters will be good, but the next level will be-just-as-good, and we have not seen that at Oregon before. Consider Nikko Reed transferring from Colorado; why would he come here? By that time he could see that there were eight very experienced DBs already at Oregon...how was he going to start? Gonzo tweeted from the Patriot training camp that Reed was a stud who replaced him at Colorado, and will be a star at Oregon....yet all those DBs are already here? How did Dan Lanning convince Reed to come to Oregon? I wrote an article (linked in the article) about the freaks needed to implement this defense; last year we did not have any at the three freak positions. This year we have an abundance of talent that will be stacked at the STAR, the MONEY linebacker and the JACK linebacker. The fifth defensive back, the STAR has to be an extraordinary player, and Lanning went out and got a couple of them. You will see a massive jump in performance from the defensive backs; why? Because the four transfers have already performed at a high level at Colorado, Fresno State, Ole Miss and Alabama. Nikko Reed has already done it in Pac-12 Games...

I do, because Dan Lanning is a problem-solver. We needed better punting, and he had four competing for the punting spot with a final two being decided for the starter this week. There is a pattern of getting a boatload of recruits and transfers to solve an issue with Lanning. Kris Hutson was safe as a punt catcher, but Tez Johnson returned punts extremely well at his last stop, and we have seen his fast-twitch in the Spring Game that suits punt returns ideally. Gary Bryant II was the leading kick-returner at USC in 2021 as a freshman, and sat out last year. I believe one or more of the new defensive backs or WRs will also step in...and I expect to see Rodrick Pleasant--with his extraordinary speed--being tested back there yet this season. Special Teams will be special again under Lanning... Onside kick recovered...

Then it is not a prediction; it is an observation that everyone will agree with, thus not very fearless.

It is easy to go the safe route, but this team has all the pieces--some of which have been solved and we have not seen yet. THAT is called faith, and where a fearless prediction comes from.

I am sick of the whole discussion. What I've noticed is that most of us just carry on and call it the Civil War game, and I am not going to stop it. (Since I use it!) For the vast majority of Oregon AND Oregon State fans...

Hello dwc13, as you are always welcome, as it is for all the other fans of schools who want to engage in civilized discussion that is tightly moderated. For people who simply give their opinions/facts/rationale without attacking others--this is a perfect forum to share and learn from each other. I look forward to many great conversations with B1G fans in future years, and while you are welcoming us, we welcome you to this forum. Do visit often! (and yep....I gave you a Buckeye helmet avatar)

I'll agree with Geoff on this one... And BOY are they talking about the Ducks....on a Trojan forum!

I can't make this stuff up; a Bodacious ad appeared on a major Trojan message board? I can't keyboard this without cracking up!

OK...I had no idea that the LA schools drove that much value. Crap, they should have got more. And so should the Ducks! From Canzano: • That got me thinking about USC and UCLA’s media value to the Pac-12. Retired Fox Sports Networks president Bob Thompson told me last year that he projected the Pac-12’s media rights package was worth $500 million with the two Los Angeles schools included and $300 million without them. • That’s $41.7 million per school with them and $30 million without. The two LA schools were driving a 28 percent increase in media value while each received only 8.3 percent of the pie. • Thompson’s estimate ended up dead solid perfect. We now know that ESPN offered the Pac-12 exactly $30 million per school in October of 2022. The conference presidents foolishly turned that down and countered at $50 million per school. • They should have hired Thompson to consult.

This would be BIG considering it is at a position of need. Just his head shot shouts “Stud,” and a classic MIKE LB look. But he can run like few can-crucial for what Dan Lanning is building.

Wowsa. Top five in the nation in both major offensive categories? Whew! My fingers tremble as I keyboard, as the thought of an offense scoring that much would be so much fun! Love it Joshua, and THANKS!

I don't boo unless it is the Huskies, and I really boo them. I never said I was noble...

This is a bit much, and I hope it lights a fire under the team!

Yikes! Or is that sweet?

Gotta love it! Hope not!