Mike West

It is difficult to avoid the political aspect of the name change since the players pulled a political stunt. I'll never understand forgetting the people that support you the most when considering issues that impact them as much as they impact you. In my opinion, former players are the pillar of support for, but not the active administration of the current program. Same goes for the fans for the most part. That is until they're clearly ignored. Fans get to vote with their feet however. I believe MC got a taste of what was going to happen if he didn't listen to that booing this season. Even former players don't have that kind of pull.

We'll just cross that bridge when we get there. The only thing we control is today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Championships are won in the off season. If the kids do the work, they'll reap the rewards. It's a very talented group. If they force teams to make mistakes, and not shoot themselves in the foot, they should win every game ( including Georgia because the Bulldogs haven't committed to scoring forty plus a game). Faith. Strength. Guts. Dedication. Perseverance. Words of winners. That's what this team will focus on. Let's see what happens instead of gnashing our teeth. OBD will show us who they are "soon enough".

I actually agree with that assessment. TT has the most upside, but he didn't take charge. All three seemed to have issues sustaining drives- hence Brown won out. Potential will get you fired. Read an article about Ole Miss going after Nix. He's defeated Kiffin twice. And he did give Bama headaches. That said, he's to inconsistent. I don't want another AB situation ( Nix also has accuracy issues in my opinion). Thus the freshmen better step their game up if they want to play. NIL and the transfer portal. Welcome to the taste of the NFL college players. Your star rating is just a draft pick opinion until you prove yourselves.

The kids need exposure and experience now. Granted, they will be learning a new offense next year, so all we would see is their raw talent, including the ability to "see the field". It seems to me the backups haven't been consistent enough to sustain drives. That is typical of freshman ( as UW's fans experienced in the Apple Cup). I want to see how they've developed. This game is a perfect time to learn the game against guys they don't see in practice. Time to learn the speed of the game against a perennial winner. Time to get ready for elite football. I have the feeling that's kids will get developed and will be a much better product next year. They deserve an opportunity to display their skills (which could be why they won't be showcased- teams may recruit them if they like what they see).

I wouldn't bring in Nix. He's a mediocre passer, which means he is unable to bring Oregon a title. It's possible we don't have a top shelf QB yet ( I'm not convinced- I personally like what I saw from all three backups). I believe we still have to wait until the spring game to get an idea of the talent at the QB position. I'm liking what I see from Lanning so far. It appears we are being shown how the blue bloods really put a program together ( unlike what we witnessed when MC got promoted) Bringing Bo Nix wouldn't add to what seems to be a very good start to Lanning's campaign to bring OBD a Natty.

A strong USC gives Oregon the opportunity to reach the playoff, ala SEC style. When they don't face each other in the regular season, an undefeated USC versus an undefeated Oregon is a top five matchup (especially the way we've been scheduling). There are no way routes to the playoff. Win or go home matters. Just win baby. Everything else takes care of itself. 42-17. The standard is clear.

I must disagree with that assessment. Stats and all, the greatest start of that Natty appearance was the defense holding the second best offense in college football that year to TWENTY POINTS LESS than it's average in both conference (that is the SEC and OOC). Chip's offense lost that game. To further emphasize the point, not only did Scam Newton limp of the field at the end of the game, TWO turnovers were taken off the stat sheet. One resulted in a TD the next play, the other would have been a fumble TD. Allioti's defense held the Tigers to six second half points. That is championship caliber play. That defense was one of Oregon's best ever.

I know people want loyalty. There are so many reasons why that horse had left the stable forever. One thing I can say about the Snake and Cristobal is the ENTIRE COUNTRY now know coaches in SEC country will bite at the opportunity to lead the Oregon program. Those two coaches set up a recruiting legacy that opened minds up. Now all the talent- players and coaches- know Oregon will compete for titles. The richest talent in the industry recognize Oregon is not going away. Alums will come along at some point and recognize we have access to the best and the brightest from now on. Opportunists will be replaced with equal to or Superior talent.

Have faith fellow Duck fans. Everything works out the way it's supposed to. Personally, the current roster matters more. High school kids are less invested because they just don't know what they're really doing. How many of them are going to recognize MC built on the recruiting foundation the Snake launched? How many can even recognize MC solidified that legacy? Not to mention coaches from every region of the country recognized this team is ready made for a solid title run IN 2022? Heck, most fans don't even recognize it. Injuries this year exposed how solid this team truly is. And now they have experience. I reviewed the talent pool of the recruits we've lost so far. I don't think they would crack the starting unit ahead of the talent that played this year. We could always use more depth. But the impact players in 2022 are here NOW. Now I have issues about next year myself. But Mario Cristobal gave a talented coach a battle ready group capable of doing some real damage next year. The isn't a single recruit we lost that worries me. We're going to kick some butt next year. Trust me.

Agreed. Daniels needs to start both games.

I believe one of the reasons our recruiting has stepped up is we hired coaches from the South. They know (knew) the elite recruits already. In the land of plenty. I doubt Lanning will have difficulty hitting the ground running. This guy pressures teams like NFL Coordinators do. That is going to be a huge draw for the Bubbas down south. Now, the sooner we announce an OC the better. And if we hit it out of the park and hire a proven ensemble of coaches...

Annnnnd it begins.... Thank you Warrenton for showing you have as much passion for OBD as the rest of us. I respectfully disagree, and here's to hoping you're wrong with no hard feelings. I'm quite sure you want a Natty as much as we all do. I for one am glad we can begin the next chapter in our pursuit of a title.

OMG, HE EMERGES!!!!!

While I agree with you, and my first impulse on "negotiations" (regarding Manning coaching during the playoffs) was your quote above I do recall however, FAU poaching Lane Kiffin, and said coach got himself canned before the playoffs by the great one. College Football is war at this point. It's always best to maintain scruples, principles, and ethics. That said, self interest does matter. The question truly is, can Lanning continue his responsibilities at Georgia this year with integrity AND start building his "new" program (if he's hired)? That's the only way I'd accept the job. Giving my current players the chance to win their elusive Natty. Those players deserve that commitment. In other words, I wouldn't have done what Brian Kelly did. I lost a ton of respect for him, and I believe his stunt tarnished College Football.

Anyone here still believe Oregon isn't a premiere destination? We're going to get the best coach possible given the circumstances. THEN, well go back to complaining about what's wrong with the program lol. When life seems uncertain to me, I rely on faith that good things will happen. My life has worked out pretty well. And from the comments I've seen in this forum, a resounding majority of us have always landed where we expected to be. What makes us think Oregon Football will be any different? Oregon's future is bright.

Well the Snake had a better offense than Chip when Herbert was playing. And he didn't have D1 experience.

It's almost as if you're saying we should hire a Mario Cristobal, a Mark Helfrich or a Willie Taggart. Do you see the blue bloods doing that? USC, LSU and Oklahoma didn't look for those type of coaches. We are in their league are we not? Oklahoma went with a guy that took a "stepping stone" away from them. The game has left Homers behind. It is strictly an arms race whether we like it or not. I sure don't like it, but I'm realistic. Every year for the rest of your life Athletic Directors will have a full Rolodex. They will attend national coaching conventions. They will network like they've never networked before.

It's not just a matter of the candidate pool. The best candidates are still coaching major bowls, so the timing couldn't be worse.

My belief is Justin Wilcox is another Willie Taggart, Mario Cristobal, and Mark Helfrich. You have to be qualified to elevate your program to Natty caliber. Like Chris Peterson qualified. Wilcox is not. If you want another Rich Brooks or Len Casanova, your going to get the results they got. And it will take just as long as they did. The goal is to win multiple titles. Not manage someone else's talent, then fade into the sunset. The only reason Wilcox gave Cristobal headaches is because Cristobal let most coaches give him headaches. Wilcox is not the answer if national titles are the question.

Ah my good friend Jon, The best part of your writing "game" is your knowledge. Especially your knowledge of the national scene. Yes, I'm clearly a Homer, and I see mostly positive when it comes to OBD. That said, our chances of surviving ( or should I say garnering a winning record versus ) our 2022 OOC schedule are up in the air, since we are backpedaling from recent events. I do like the tough schedules, but only if we keep getting top ten recruiting classes. Hiring the right coach (with the right stuff) is critical. We need a coach that can develop his players, and out coach his peers. You hit the bullseye on what's required to win titles. And every champion requires a little bit of luck. Good luck that is, because we had bad luck in both of our title shots ( the "tackle that want a tackle" the first time, then an unfortunate rash of injuries along with an unfortunate disqualification the second time). Every year, we as fans seem to get more demanding because we've been so close over the past twelve years. But aren't you glad we're not Georgia? All that talent, only to cave (so often) to a well known nemesis. It's so good to be a Duck. We haven't hit an iceberg. Let's hope we hire an excellent coach that gets us a title within four years ( that's about the longest era we'll get from a coach ).

If Tedford still wants to coach, I'd go after him for damn sure.

You're no snob David. I think you have a very valid point. I personally think he's interesting. I'm done with the Spread for the most part. I believe it should be part of an offense that primarily works under center. I don't see enough Sequentials ( Constraint plays for the football expert) that work unless the QB running it is extremely elite Too many well coached and talented defenses are stopping the Spread now. I'm looking for a HC that knows offenses period. But I want a coach that can make a conventional offense explosive and incorporate some Spread wrinkles. The Ducks are loaded on offense, and these players can execute any type of offense. In fact Cristobal might have been more effective running a conventional offense. Lots of angst out there. Well be fine.

Cal, like UCLA recruits students like NASA recruits astronauts. Not many astronauts win national titles. I like that Fentress will ask tough questions. But he's even more arrogant than I am. And I don't agree with much he has to say. There are some good Coordinators on both sides of the ball Phil can recruit and incentivize to 8 million. I'm no sports world negotiator, but that's my angle. I saw some damn good coaching this weekend. Somebody in that group of Coordinators is wise enough to duplicate what the Snake did- hire a good ensemble of coaches (but this time more effective at developing players and game time coaching) and recruit like the best. The coaching talent is out there. A Coordinators that has been preparing himself has paid attention the past five years. Let's hope that man is ready to eventually surpass the fine job we've experienced the past twelve years. Rest of your life coach? I don't see that happening anywhere. The college football world has changed forever.

If Cristobal wins a conference title, he's done his job. The ACC has been Clemson and everybody else. Mario has a shot. Like it or not. Natty? Don't see it unless he REALLY CHANGES. He won't get the head start he got here, so he better start changing pronto.

6 million base, incentives to win the division, win the conference, win the Rose Bowl, win the Natty. Do it the old fashioned way... EARN IT