Mike West

Big boy football starts by covering guys instead of looking at the QB on pass plays. One interception. In the conference title game at that. But the number of explosive plays because TEs virtually walked past linebackers was frustrating. Our middle backers are as fast as all three of those TEs. And if you watched George last year, even their outside linebackers closed on any pass catcher swiftly. Why? Because nobody got behind those backers like we saw routinely from OBD. And don't let me start talking about regular defensive formations inside our five yard line lining up against a goal line formation. Five TDs attributed to that one flaw. Utah didn't beat us, we didn't come to play and we surely gave them number advantages a G5 team could practically exploit. They don't do that in the SEC. I'll tell you that right now. Glad we have an SEC coach leading us.

Why does NIL exist? Because the players sued for the right to have it. That does not sound like the schools had their interest in mind to me. The "students " also clamored for the portal. Again, I do not see where the schools showed interest in the students. In fact, the schools and the NCAA fought tooth and nail to prevent it, as billions of dollars started funneling from TV contracts. Forgive me if I'm skeptical, but those two as actions alone toss that quote away. And I haven't even talked about the graduation rates. It took years to even discuss forcing schools to put effort into the graduation rates of the "student" athletes. So when did concern for student athletes become a focus exactly?

Sounds like Kliavkoff is blaming the players to me. The conference are making decisions based on the elephant in the room: players. What I'm seeing is a direct and immediate response to the fact players want to be treated like pros. I realize this is preaching to the choir, but it takes way more than twenty hours a week (the amount of time coaches get the players) to develop into an excellent player. In other words, it is a full time job. And schools used to sell a star's Jersey and pocket all the money. Coaches get paid better than NFL coaches. Billions of dollars are funneling through the schools. That being said, I was totally against NIL. But how could I justify telling players their $100,000 over four years was just compensation? It's not. No one reading this wouldn't consider options - including starting their own league with executives skilled enough to pull it off ( and someone might have). Kids pay the recruiting services to promote their skill level. Some families pay out of pocket to find the right fit for their kids. In other words, schools were getting far too much benefit at a "student's" expense. And we haven't even talked about the horrible graduation rates. College football is a minor league without the NFL having to pay. And the players figured that out. The NCAA did everything they could to stop the train from leaving the gate. But when a football player is great enough to win Olympic medals in another short, and the institution tells him he cannot earn money in that Olympic sport (and still earn a scholarship) something is very, very wrong. That, by the way, was the beginning of the end of the "exploitation" in my opinion. There is nothing just about preventing a young man seeking the best for his life by participating in two sports he loves. Or even find the means to afford the school he attends outside of basic expenses. Like I mentioned above, I've been against NIL. It might never have materialized had the schools simply treated the players like people, instead of dollar bills. Heck, they didn't even ensure the kids would be able to find avenues to succeed when they left school ( by making sure they had marketable skills when football was no longer part of their life). And the schools have plenty of money to do something that basic. NIL and the Portal are a direct response to these institutions thinking only of themselves. And now, our commissioner wants to lay blame on other conferences finally addressing what they should have addressed before the turn of the century. I'm telling you, this conference makes me see the with every word I read. They are not fit to lead these young men as they ( the students) seek the best for their future in my opinion. And I'm sure parents are paying particular attention to what's happening. I have a fifteen year old who fortunately isn't interested in football. If he were, how my beloved ducks respond from here would tell me if my kid would even consider the program (because I would not present any PAC 10 school as a solid choice based on Kliavkoff's comments- he is just an extension if how the Presidents feel).

The reason Clemson reached the playoffs multiple years is they could compete with the elite, and win. The most effective route to prove we belong is to continue scheduling the elite teams (if they dare to). The other route is to absolutlely drop fifty points s game on the mediocre. We are not Notre Dame, do we won't get the get out of jail card. I also believe this year dictates everything for OBD. Finish to ten in recruiting and go to the playoffs, we write out own ticket. We don't, the future is out of our hands. By the way, I am NOT afraid of the BIG. We would instantly compete for titles. Especially if we continue to recruit well.

If that's the case, how are they able to operate? It costs at least $3M to operate any football team with 85 players. Heck the scholarships cost more than $3M. I recognize they get a couple of million from P5 schools a game, but we're taking razor thin margins in order to stay in business.

If we're trying to stay regional, Boise State in football and Gonzaga in basketball is a no brainier. Add SDSU and Fresno State to tap California in depth. My opinion of course

I also read somewhere the MWC gets $270 a year. ESPN is low balling the PAC12 hoping they're desperate. Wait...until 2024. See what they do (are they trying to wreck the conference?)

With Lanning I can see that possibility. With Mario, we would have been 7th or 8th at best

Couldn't have said it better. We need to wait until 2024 before signing a deal (us and the Fuskies particularly).

I wish this topic wasn't brought up. I've had an extremely different experience that I don't feel I can share because it would be considered political. That's unfortunate because part of it involves speculation, and most of it is fact that half our beloved posters would fight to the death in disagreement. And that is highly unfortunate. Fortunately, most of us are alive and well. Which is a beautiful thing. Good health to us all, and to OBD.

Helfrich was the key when Arizona embarrassed OBD in Tuscon on national TV. He immediate started challenging the defense to live up to it's billing. Helfrich did exactly what a HC is supposed to do in that situation, he coached his team up. He challenged his talented group, and they responded. They didn't get there by themselves, the were led there. They avenged a bitter loss, and dethroned the defending national champs. They took on a hot team,. They were down 21-20 going into the fourth quarter with inexperienced linebackers and without two starting WRs. Against a juggernaut at that ( some fourteen OSU players were drafted from that 2014 team). Helfrich was responsible for that Natty appearance (Chip was long gone). Chip didn't get them back to the Natty. Helfrich did, and Chip had more talent on defense to go with that awesome offense of his. More players got drafted under Chip than Helfrich. But Helfrich got his title shot. Never forget that. It took a seriously flawed individual to expose we wasted five years believing we couldn't bring elite talent to Eugene. And Helfrich put OBD in position to win the Natty with a declining set of talent. Ponder that for awhile. Because we just lucked out by losing a coach that ruined a damn good shot at a title in 2019, Not to mention that flawed character that may have brought us one in 2018. Always cherish an accomplishment like Helfrich's. He's in rare company. Very, very few coaches EVER ready the playoffs, much less the Natty itself.

A slight correction, We have owned USC since 2007 when we made our first true run at the Natty. Heck, we even coined the term Natty! But we were not good enough twenty years ago to challenge Pete Carroll's stormtroopers. But we are now.

Actually, I hope they have a great year.... Until we smash them so emphatically they just might shut up for once.

When a hundred million dollars may cut into your expenses (short or long term) , your billion dollar enterprise will be affected. Even if you have an executive tending to that line of business, you are ultimately responsible. Taxpayers pick up those kind of mistakes (and students of course)

If football ceases at Oregon State, millions of dollars may be siphoned from that excellent School of Engineering Program to pay for Reser Stadiums renovations ( that attendance will no longer have the prospect to cover). If Oregon State loses that $35 million a year to cover the expenses of it's athletic department, that will affect the University. In the realm of priorities, that is as real as it gets. I live in the real world. University Presidents aren't just failing at football. I manage several of their "products". Let me tell you, they are are extremely disappointing. From Lions to Lambs. I recommend that movie. And the title seems so appropriate to our times. Robert Redford could be talking about the higher education system at this point. Because they have been taking the easy route for decades now. Those who saw the movie will know what I'm talking about.

I think it's pretty clear the Conference Presidents lack Business skills. Not a surprise actually. They don't face true competition. They got a hand out basically (won't go into it, due to rules I respect here, so please read between the lines). I doubt these leaders would survive in the real world, but they never had to. I do wonder if they could, given some oafish statements I've read from their mouths the past three years. But this looks like the LA schools were, and simply have been greedy. If this report is accurate. That should have set off alarm bells for astute observers in the room. But then again, see above.

Oregon has had ONE FOOTBALL TEAM as good as any of USC's historical best. Sorry guys, but 15 million people in one area is going to supercede 4.5 million. In oh so many ways. You can discuss culture, you can counter with morals. But you cannot expect 15 million people to feel less viable than four. LA will always be more arrogant. Why do you think we always say don't californicate Oregon. We needed them. Their TV market, their recruits, their prestige. That's the bottom line. It sucks, but without Los Angeles, we have a far bigger hill to climb. Doesn't matter where we go from here, ignoring LA's arrogance was a huge mistake. USC was telling us for at least 12 months they were unhappy. Frankly, our arrogance ( like new money spitting in old money's face) may have cost us. We even talk snack now about our newfound heritage. I grew up in Southern California. Moved to Oregon and loved it. Wanted to stay, but couldn't. Why? That should be obvious. Oregon is no match for Southern California when it comes to drawing talent of all kinds. LA is justified in being arrogant. They back it up every day. That sucks. But life does oftentimes. We built a brand that exploited USC's Demise. I for one never thought USC would let us slowly grind them into nothingness. USC got up from a Mike Tyson mega punch. The question is, will we respond like Evander Holyfield. I know what I would do if I were in charge. Because I hate to lose. I'd hate to allow my true rival steal the thunder I've harnessed ever so patiently. Football is war. It's not fair and friendly. If it's not obvious now, everyone can see what Im doing with my anger. I've lived in world class Los Angeles. I believe we are world class Oregon. I believe it requires stepping into the fray of dealing with what goes on in world class battles. With integrity, guts and fire. The world isn't fair. Never will be. If we are truly world class, we step into the battle and never look back. Who cares how arrogant USC is. They made their move. They exploited their advantages. It's time to respond.

The BIG10 is in a very strong position. They can force ND to pay more to schedule their teams, they can expand East or West and add massive value to the brand. Keep in mind, the ACC started this mess when they effectively killed the Big East. Now marque members Miami and FSU are mediocre. Will they stay as the BIG10 and SEC strangle football? What value can the ACC add to ND? Without siphoning money from their members? ESPN has their marquee conference. Will they raid the ACC and leave ND hanging? After all, they have the TV rights to the remaining marquee programs from the South and the East. Fox has the Southwest and leverage against "the Conference of Champions". Optically, the nation is split with two regions dominating the financial picture. By a massive amount. Oregon versus Cincinnati is no more compelling than USC versus Rutgers. But Washington versus Baylor will not draw TV dollars the way USC versus Iowa will(a former Rose Bowl game by the way). So imagine this: half of USC and UCLA games will feature former Rose Bowl games. As in NY6 games before January. Neither the ACC nor the Big12 can match that. And the BIG10 and SEC could effectively end the bowl structure and have playoffs themselves. And there aren't enough eyeballs left to really counter a move like that. Because outside of Miami and FSU, fans don't follow their schools to all points of the globe like they do in the SEC and the BIG10. That's what scares me. USC and UCLA may as well be Hawaii geographically, but they are so much more valuable than what our region can provide financially. Deciding not to expand after Luxury Box Larry crashed and burned on the OU and Texas grab was fait accompli for our neighborhood. We HAD TO EXPAND. In essence, Colorado and Utah wasn't enough. It makes total sense to me why ESPN made the best of things by featuring their stranded market at night. Even USC and UCLA couldn't save us.

Axel, You are ON FIRE

And you just added to them.

I think it's clear Fox is happy USC and UCLA are in the BIG10... and ESPN isn't.

In my mind, this falls squarely on the Conference Presidents. Not only did they hire Larry Scott, they sat idle while the SEC cleaned their respective clocks when it came to ensuring their prized Olympic Sports would continue to be funded properly. The fact these "leaders" disregarded the very sport that funds their cherished group tells me they believe past prestige in football would take care of business. It should have been clear when the SEC took it USC that the South meant business when it came to running football on the collegiate level.

I'm not sure there are going to be many programs that can afford football in the next ten years. San Diego State is not going to replace USC as a money generating prospect. And it has the second largest population in California. I don't believe FSU, Clemson and Miami stay in the ACC past 2024. They'll break their contract. Half the country isn't like SEC and BIG10 football. Those fans are for real, we're fair weathered friends. If OBD starts losing to USC like we did in the seventies, are you still going to watch the games?

I'm still in. College football will always be great in my mind. It's been a huge money making industry for decades. We just didn't want to see the ugly side of it. But it's been there all along. I believe the clamour to settle the national title on the field ( instead of by opinion) changed the nature of the game. Tradition wasn't going to settle the issue, and that meant change was inevitable. I also believe the SEC took USC down for practices they routinely institutionalized. NIL is the aftermath, because students saw it as well- hence the lawsuits started soon after. Football is a multi billion dollar business. It is a way of life for a sizable portion of the country. It isn't out here in the West. Except for USC. We can lament traditions were losing, but the ugly part of those traditions were always swept under the rug. Now we see college football the way it's been for the better part of fifty years. The only difference is the tens of billions of dollars at stake now. Thousands of people dedicate their life to this sport. It's an industry. It's a profession. Has been for at least thirty years. I believe we just didn't want to see it that way. I believe the genius level leaders in the sport will find a way to preserve the nostalgia that makes college football so dear to many of it's fans. We have to face reality though. People make a living in the sport. They don't work for free. Will college football resemble the NFL. I'm guessing no.

I have a bad feeling about this. I don't see a PAC anything in 2024. Who is going to fill the void for that huge LA market? Geographically, who is attractive? Surely not the Pacific Northwest. Did any Conference President apply Game Theory to the conditions on the ground the past twelve months? Surely everyone could see USC wasn't going to accept Rutgers making more money a year than the Trojans. Are you kidding me? Conference of Champions. What a hollow theme. So what gives now? OBD are facing the ultimate threat to the brand. Does anyone here believe the Ducks have 12 months to show elite recruits that Oregon will be a destination school to further their football goals?