Mike West

The sooner they reinstate player movement restrictions the better. Everything else will settle down once we know what the landscape looks like.

Maybe they should allow the onside kick when the game is in the balance. Safety does matter, but are we serious here? Football is becoming more like softball, can't hit people - that is the appeal of the sport. As long as a player isn't intentionally trying to hurt another player, let them hit. If I want to watch softball, I can watch Oklahoma dominate everyone again.

Another juicy article Duckster!!! So much to chew on... simple, direct, precise. I have to think this one over a bit. I recall the nail biting be we all felt before the last PAC12 title game he ever. I had an all 22 look from one of the endzones. I was worried sick all game because I saw a familiar flaw that resembled a throwback to Chip versus David Shaw back to back years. Might write an article about it. You're on point though...NIL is running the show. Culture, identity and talent really matter. Philosophy, and game chops matter as well. You hit the bullseye on Sewell. He was a fish out of water in Lanning's scheme. As was Mase Funa. Lanning has his boys on defense. The body type, the athletic type etc. He only pursued two baddies on the interior defensive line. He has to replace four very stout guys. Is that a sign he believes he's got the boys he needs to execute his scheme? A title team needs a money QB, and a monster front seven. Check and IDK. The one thing those Fuskies had over us was they controlled the line of scrimmage all three games. It's a wonder Bo and company dropped thirty plus all three games. It seemed like the secondary was the weakness. But in actuality, Michael Penix rarely hit the turf. I have my preferences for running a defense, but it's not my call. But the QB can't be comfortable all game. His butt needs to hit the ground...often. For me, OBD needs to keep a powerful offense at 21-23 points. By any means necessary. Lanning is a defensive guy, who was smart enough to hire a powerful OC. Let's see if he can give his offense the opportunity to score 23-28 on an elite defense.

Well, I believe the players and the NIL collectives are driving that bus... The players are getting greedy, and boosters are falling into bidding wars for, in most cases unproven players. Straight from the NFL playbook. And players are going to stop performing soon enough. Even if it costs them a healthy NFL contract. Worse, the Power 2 aren't really considering the players as they manuever through the playoff process. So I agree with you. The NFL is already chaffed at the playoffs starting the first week the big boys play on Saturdays...

If no one dislikes you you're doing something wrong. Poor Beaver fans. They had the most influential President in the PAC12 for a decade, and he didn't have the foresight to protect his school, and enhance his Athletic Department's Brand. Now they suffer for it. Oregon State has one of the best Engineering Schools in the country. If he protected his more visible Brand like he maintained the reputation of that school, the PAC12 would be alive and kicking right now.

That's a very good analogy. Someone trolled Nick Saban last night, claiming he couldn't handle the new paradigm. I bit back- explaining some kids are going to ruin the game for a while lot of other kids- and Saban realized it more than most. I don't think 17 million people are going to be watching Ohio State versus Michigan in the future. That golden goose is going to get cooked!!! Not sure the TV execs (And the P2) are looking that far ahead. I know the players aren't. What a shame.

You could be right. Depends on Michigan and Penn State. I fear Sherrone Moore is another David Shaw, and I'd QB Drew Allar has an OC that opens that offense up, the Nittany Lions can make the Conference Title race a nail biting affair.

When I read it, I was like WOW. It was thorough, thought provoking, and timely. It should have been a FishDuck article. I'm following several folks on X (Twitter). Nothing against anyone else, mostly because I've decided to get more info from Blue Blood fans, but I would have posted that for sure on X. The discussion would have been lively (an Ohio State fan trolled us this afternoon in fact, so your post would have been perfect). I can't wait for the second post, and I'm going to find a way to post this thread.

You're spot on Jon! And I agree, coming sooner than we think. Not sure this is going to be good for college football though. I love the idea of seeing the Blue Bloods squaring off each week, but then we already have that: the NFL. I personally only watch the elite matchups and the playoffs. I don't want that to happen to college football.

I've been feeling that way since COVID hit us. I have no idea how the G5 are going to field teams in the near future. As elitist as I am, I always thought it was cool to watch kids that killed it in high school, but weren't good enough to play for the Blue Bloods could still play- and be on TV!

Excellent point. But for Michigan winning the Title this year, one could also say the SEC has pushed their weight around considerably.

I believe NIL formalized a practice the Blue Bloods had been using for decades. The Transfer Portal allows them to consolidate power further. I'm impressed Ole Miss exploited both to their advantage. I certainly feel for the likes of Utah and North Carolina- teams in the Second Tier of the P4 conferences. Personally, I believe the latest P2 propos is generous. It's the only way I see the Big 12 getting two teams in the playoffs, while Clemson and FSU may occasionally crash the party if they stay in the ACC. I think it's time to add two more divisions to College football, each with their own playoffs. I fear the TV execs won't pony up enough to allow the teams currently listed as D1 programs to continue fielding football teams.

Had to look at the comments before pitching in. Elite in my eyes must include defeating the elite teams. Has happened twice in the past 12 years ( losing record). Miss. Elite involves a killer instinct mentality. Lesser teams never have a chance. Check. Elite teams enter the fray as elite when they climb back from self inflicted wounds. Especially against elite teams. They must finish however. Mixed. I recognize Dan Lanning has been criticized for taking risks. The first Washington loss told me we had arrived. The second loss told me we still need more players,but the coaches need to play the game they're in, not the just the one they gameplanned for. OBD are At the cusp. Ryan Day and Dan Lanning are in the same spot. Their fan bases are tense, desperate, and nervous. Day has the talent advantage, the schedule advantage, and tOSU is a proven Blue Blood. Snatch a victory in Eugene. That puts OBD in the room. But our fledging program will be mocked until we win a Natty. I'm very interested in what DL does with this relatively young team. I plan an article myself about our prospects this year. Don't know if I can light the pages up like Duckster did (whew!), but I'm excited about our prospects, and look forward to "spitting" my thoughts regarding our future.

Duckster, That was a full blown article! And a damn good one at that. Looking forward to the next installment. Simply fabulous.

Kim, You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers moving forward. I certainly hope you recover soon, and completely. We miss you!!!

I want to see how the 12 team playoffs turn out before moving on. This has become more about money and power than providing the best value the sport can offer. I believe the powers that be need to slow down and solve some of the other issues inflicting the sport at the moment. The Recruiting cycle, and it's schedule need some fine tuning. NIL absolutely must be addressed. I'm glad the playoff field has expanded, but I'm not much for giving four more teams the delight of getting anihillated. This isn't basketball. Football is truly a team sport, where deep talent matters. There aren't sixteen equally talented teams, and NIL definitely won't change that. All this dramatic change doesn't give me the feeling the best interests of the sport are a consideration to these decision makers. Kind of reminds me of the PAC12 Exec Committee.

Fantastic post Jon! I for one believe Chip is more dangerous as an OC than HC. No longer encumbered with CEO duties, Chip can spend more time finding ways to carve defenses up. Let me tell you, I don't know many offensive minds that can put you in a quick hole better than Chip Kelly. I also believe incoming QB Will Howard will thrive under Kelly. He is the right mix of the kind of QB Kelly appreciates most-a very gifted runner that converts on third down very effectively (my opinion here). IMHO, Chip is going to be a menace in the B1G. He is so good he can pick up the tempo or slow things down at the drop of a hat-especially with a guy like Howard. He has two killer RBs, and if he puts them both in the backfield, that will create massive headaches for defenses (especially if both are willing to block for each other). The most difficult thing to figure out is how well Howard will pass to a pretty good group of WRs (especially deep). Ryan Day has a damn good defense that will be able to hold leads, and now he has an OC that can put a lot of pressure on many a defense. So now, our fearless leader -the one and only Dan Lanning- is faced again with the challenge of dealing with not just one, but possibly two teams with superior talent, and at least one with a loaded coaching staff to boot. Not to mention Lanning's challenge of duplicating and exceeding the fairly successful performance on defense last year. Can't wait until the Spring Game!

I believe you got it right in your first sentence of this paragraph. I believe it will still be rare, and one recognized, celebrated. One of the reasons Saban is retiring is that recruits are bringing in Reps demanding the top programs (Bama, Georgia, Michigan, to some extent Ohio State) match ridiculous NIL offers. The Ole Miss RB left for money. It's annoying a LOT of coaches and there are murmurs several are considering retirement rather than deal with an arms race for recruits. Perhaps Lanning saw the forest for the trees once his wife beat cancer. He of all people recognize the hassle of running a program like Bama. Keep this in mind: The GOAT is staying in Tuscaloosa. If DaBoer goes there, he won't have as much a burden recruiting. Saban can be an ally on that one. Talk about setting an example. The greatest of all time will stay committed to the program he's leaving. FishDuck brought up that brings an albatross to the next Bama coach. I don't think so in that case. DaBoer can focus on coaching all that great talent the program would still attract with Saban still there ( and I bet my bottom dollar that will be the strategy). Bama doesn't need recruits, recruits need Bama, and DaBoer is a proven entity- one of a very small group of head coaches that can actually coach elite talent, develop said talent, and continue the Bama to the NFL pipeline. So kids are going to have to decide:. Georgia , Bama to the NFL, or take the money and roll the dice ( because I know for sure Bama and Georgia are going to expose every flaw you've got kid, and you won't be able to run and hide). Let's hope DL becomes the next blue blood coach to pipeline talent to the NFL. He already is a major influence in showing these kids they need to fully develop before stepping into the thunderdome.

Anybody see this? https://twitter.com/CoachDanLanning/status/1745490828850815112?t=R7nSUGj7SJgDLcbXXpomNg&s=19

Dan Lanning wouldn't be here if it weren't for Willie Taggart. Everyone here calls Taggart an idiot. Well that idiot recruited the number three recruiting class before he displayed his character and poor judgement. In other words, an idiot proved you could recruit elite talent to Eugene. That is absolutely the most positive impact this program has ever experienced. Again,. THAT IS THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT THIS PROGRAM HAS EVER EXPERIENCED. Bringing an elite team of recruiters, claiming and proving we could recruit anywhere on the continent altered the course of this program forever. That pretty much means Willie Taggart did have a positive impact on the program. Not to mention he unleashed the real Justin Herbert. I am frustrated that I still have to point this out. Don't get to comment on why I think that is unfortunately. But it infuriates me to no end. Willie Taggart was a net positive for this program. Bar none.

HEck, It was Ohio State 21 Oregon 20 heading into the 4Q. Then I saw our LBs run right past gaps they were supposed to fill and low and behold it looked like a rout. Edge guys cover the outside. That's why they call them MIDDLE LINEBACKERS. Oh well. We didn't have much offense in the 4Q either. So once again, the "physical" Big Ten makes us look dumb. Where's Warren Moon and Marcus Allen when you need them?

Way too early indeed. Gotta love that SEC bias though.

DL is only going to get better. We are a lucky fan base.

Ohio State has the best defense in the nation. If their offense was as good, they'd be in this position. I thought Washington choked. Dropped passes, penalties, and Penix finally lost his composure. Michigan forced the issue, but plays were left on the field, and UW didn't continue the strategy they used to close within seven at halftime. I expected much more swing routes to the RBs and WRs. Setting up fakes to those areas and quick strikes downfield along the sidelines. UW actually did that to Texas, and I expected more of that. And those vaunted curl routes to the TE they used against OBD. OBD are capable of handling all the playoff teams, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Missouri. That slow start in the Conference Title Game hurt our shot at taking this physical brand on. OBD have an offense that can handle these elite teams. I like Michigan. I think you can drop thirty on them. Washington showed you can. I'm sure plenty disagree. I'd love a shot at that defense. They can be forced to deal with what their aggression leaves available. It's there for the taking. That's why I'm not a fan of repeating the same plays over and over again in practice. My philosophy is give them looks so you can take what they give you, which means my OC is using ALL 195 plays in his playbook. But that's just me.

Yep They finally went play action... Loosened up the LOS. That's what I call forcing the issue the right way. Another clutch set of decision-making in the 4Q this playoff round for UM.