Charles Fischer

That is a great point, and Lanning has recruited well considering he's been facing that headwind. The stability now created by Lanning's contract and the B1G is huge for recruiting.

It looks like Oregon has lost momentum for Brandon Baker, the 5-Star OL, yet I cannot help but wonder what would happen with him and a few other biggies if Oregon kicks-butt this season as I believer we will? Do you think we will flip some? Or is the largest bag, (NIL) what matters for many of the 5-Stars? As I look forward for recruiting...I have to look back at all the years of suffering, the scrapping, the great analysis and coaching-up of so many players. Of all the busts, and all the great ones... The truth is, Oregon has not been an elite top-five program consistently for a long time, and once we get back there for two years straight--then the recruiting jumps into the top-five of the rankings. I believe Oregon will finish again in the top-ten of the recruiting rankings--missing out on the tough ones. Yet with a great year--the Ducks are poised for great success in the future. We have more than enough talent to play with the best; the difference now is experience in a given year, (and this team has tons of that) and coaching. (Which, frankly, is still unproven IMHO) Thoughts? Big Sack for Popo!

My mistake! They do have marketing....I challenge all to see if anyone can make it through that video. I made it 34 seconds... "I wonder why they don't have a good brand?"

Get ready, Beavers....

A Pac-12 assistant, who went off the record with Athlon Sports put it bluntly, "The circus is in town, and you can have a real good time. But, the circus always does two things. They take your money, and they leave town."

Do Beaver fans EVER refer to their prior Athletic Directors...those who made the bad decisions? The lack of branding and marketing? No. It is Oregon's fault... It is a loser mentality..."it is not my fault...it is Oregon's fault!"

You know....I am losing every bit of sympathy I had for Oregon State...their judgment is similar to their long term record; LOSERS. Is Oregon to blame? Of course! What LOSERS. You have a crappy brand, and a poor following; whose fault is that?

Soak up this year, as we will not have as an experienced defensive line for a few more years. Not to mention Casey Rogers and Taki!

Here is a nugget to help ease the concerns, as having Popo in the middle with Dorlus on one side and Burch on the other? Whew! Full Quote: "it's something I've never seen before. It's definitely special."

Another time, another thread...sure--I need to see that. There are too many facts out there that dispute it, and we can address them all then. Keep in mind...it is not just womens sports. Mens Track & Field loses money just like Womens Track & Field, just as Baseball loses money like Softball, etc. Now many of us here enjoy so many of the 'minor' sports and womens sports, but the majority of eyeballs are simply not there. I know this from when FishDuck published articles on all sports years ago, and I closely tracked the readership of those sports. And frankly....as I consider all this--what benefit is this conversation? We can't change what is going on, and I am still going to enjoy Mens and Womens Basketball, along with Baseball and Softball. It is the type of conversation that can turn fellow fans against each other...when we all love all Duck athletes.

Oh Yeah!

Precisely. Athletic Directors have to hire winning coaches, keep them happy, and hope that football wins enough to pay for it all. Canzano is in a fix, as I enjoyed his takes on the Pac-12 Conference and would read about Oregon State. As for now?

You gotta start with yours!

I have written this earlier, but if the B1G came in and offered just 10 million-the B1G could profit, and we would all benefit from from a bigger western pod.

When asked what he would do if Oregon State had been offered a chance at going to the B1G? He indicated he would have stayed in the Pac-12, and "worked it out." Oregon State would have gone in a heartbeat, and not felt the least bit bad about it. In fact they would have considered it a double win....more money AND sticking it to Oregon! The pathetic blaming of Oregon from Beaver fans is disgusting, and indicative of their nature.

And you can tell he spent time in Memphis and Auburn...."Goll--ee!"

There are some who call this short interview below as cringeworthy, but frankly--I always liked him, and if this is the way it is....then it is! They are going to be a tough out...

For more about what Pate thinks is best case and worst case for Oregon...I have the video qued up to 48:04 already for you. "I'm telling you if the best case happens....there is an undefeated regular season for them."

Oh this is juicy and good gosh I hope he is right! It is already qued up to the spot at 32:35 in the video so you can click and listen! "This ranking surprised me." "Not a stacked roster..."

"Bo Nix is undervalued still, and both sides of the LOS are undervalued."

This is only a minute and a half, and a fun listen. I like how he "gets it" concerning the offensive and defensive line, and I take it a notch further to assert we will see a big step up on defense this year.

On a pay site--a member wrote that unless he truly knew it was Colorado...he thought he was watching a high school team!

No Lanning doesn't IMHO. Please watch the last part of that video and listen to what Sanders says...