Mike West

Interesting comments. I have some concerns about streaming. Actually it's about the conference's brand as a whole. Content is desired when it is valuable. That requires value last year's football teams brought to the table, and like the years UW, Cal, WSU and Oregon were top ten powerhouses before USC reclaimed it's throne as the West Coast premier football program. I do believe streaming will augment, if not replace cable as a revenue source. Live sports tops all programming by far (especially compared to current TV programming), and avid college football fans thirst for top tier games to watch each weekend outside their favorite conference. The prospect of watching a game (over) again several times is also attractive- especially if the audience gets to pick when they want to watch a replay. That does require top shelf football however, which until last year was seriously lacking out West. With playoff expansion on the horizon, the prospect that say OBD goes to Tennessee when the Volunteers are ranked 7th or 8th, and pull an upset- that is a game changer. Hopefully, the SEC will lay off their guarded reputation and schedule teams that can actually defeat them down South. Regardless, excellent football is an absolute must from now on ( not to mention excellent basketball). Now if I were GK, I'd negotiate a short term deal with the option for extensions ( say a four year deal with an option to renegotiate). I'd also bury games after 5 pm Pacific, especially for the top ranked football teams ( whom can compete with Bama, Georgia and Ohio State as long as they stay undefeated AND they drop 45 ON EVERYBODY). That's my take on things. Force the Deal Makers to risk losing a possible up and comer conference ( no more deals like the ACC got suckered into). Risk the product and force ADs and football coaches to develop elite teams. 2024 is really the deadline. If the Fuskies can beat the blue bloods ( anathema to almost all of you), that means OBD become part of the REAL conversation in CFB because we are the heated rivals of our "punks" to the North. Of course if we do so as well, or Utah (any conference team really), that is all the better. Streaming is a moot point to me if we don't duplicate last year and match the drama last year brought as the season closed. To me, three 10-2 teams and one 11-1 ( or say an undefeated team and an 11-1 team with at least one other 10 win team) should be the goal of the conference ( and creaming non conference teams along the way). Elite football draws eyeballs. Not just audience numbers. I'm sure plenty of people East of the Mississippi will watch the conference at 8 EST if they KNOW they're going to see top tier football. That is how streaming might help the conference. Value. From the conference itself. Just my opinion.

I discovered an interesting bit of news that explains why the PAC12 and the BIG10 are going after the academic schools so vigorously. Apparently, Research draws hundreds of millions of dollars to the degree the sports aspect is overlooked. If that is the case, it explains why the conference hasn't been as concerned about it's football or basketball reputation. Research income dwarfs athletic income. Apparently, schools like SMU and Rice would be very good additions according to the strategy the conference is following. SDSU will add a solid media market, so geography for the two Texas schools would then be the challenge. That would allow the conference an opportunity to attract Kansas, the best candidate in that region. Then maybe a school like Tulane could round out a very good group of academic schools that hopefully would then contribute the tens of millions necessary to finance their athletic departments properly ( if they so inclined to, because CLEARLY ESPN, the only prospect for Tier 1 revenue, IS NOT going to budge on their obvious advantage). Of course SDSU could enhance their academic reputation in the process, which would bolster the conference's academia reputation and it's media market prospects. How's that for those of you that want to maintain our historic conference alignment? Snagging Kansas would be a dramatic coup. But with academic strength from the Texas schools, and being close enough proximity to those two, Utah, Colorado and Tulane, that might be an attractive incentive for Kansas to join Arizona as conference powerhouse basketball rivals. Of course, being the sport elitist I am, I'm not as attracted to the idea, but if there is a way to budget the football powers in the conference ( in order for them to truly attract elite football players ), I'm for it because it will give Utah, the Fuskies and OBD and authentic shot at a national football title. I care about titles, and as most of you know I'm not fond of the product (students) ANY of the schools have churned out for at least a decade ( hypocritical if you ask me since it seems to me students don't matter, the money does). Maybe that satisfies both constituents: academic oriented fans and elitists like me who want more than just a brand ( hence a REAL football power) at Oregon.

I think Georgia showed us Class and sportsmanship doesn't matter. Bury them. Early, often, leave no doubt, make others worry. It will take an act of God to beat us if you want a Natty. Obliterate them. Make an unforgettable statement. You think everyone fears Georgia now? I do.

That's about the same benefit the NFL players receive sans the "education"( which is inflation related in my opinion - the education didn't increase in value, but the charges did. In other words the kids get the same "value" of education that that we paid $20 K over four years).

While I agree with you- this issue was a sore point with the players all the way back to the early eighties. I knew several Fusky players that openly complained of the work they had to put in order to excel. It was a full time job even then. Not to mention the NCAA was quite aware the players felt that way, long ago. Rumbling stared well before the organization got sued, and it was evident strategies like the current NIL environment was already in practice at "approved" schools. They didn't put 000 on the jerseys and sell them to the public (instead of let's say Troy Aikman and Barry Sanders)- which netted the Universities tens of millions of dollars. I've had this argument for decades. But I always felt other programs should be funded too ( I still feel that way). We all know this is professional football. Kids aren't setting up plan B, and the schools don't really make sure they graduate. That's been the case for decades. It's just blatant and in our face now. We can no longer deny it.

If coaches get to sit out one year, and coaches get NFL coaches money, I'm behind you. I'm resigned to the fact most college athletes aren't investing in their future outside of football and it's been a business for them at least a decade. When a Mario Cristobal and a Willie Taggart can leverage Oregon the way they did, and kids are told " well kid, you'll get your chance to live in the real world when you graduate"- I don't support that kind of exploitation And I really started to feel that way when a decent Colorado football player at the turn of the century was forced to quit playing football because he was getting endorsement money as a World Class Skier. The hypocrisy was a major turnoff for me because there was little difference from scholarship athletes getting MLB contracts. It was blatant in your face " we control you as a college student" attitude. We get the revenue you generate as a star, we have a great setup with the NFL to force you to stay in college. There is nothing American in that set up. And I loathe the fact that teenagers can generate a the type of followings they've garnered in the social media era. But THAT IS what America is truly about: opportunity for EVERYONE that generates value in life. Now if we could manufacture artificial value for our teachers...

Hayek and Vin Mises are going to smiling a lot more when the crack up boom actually materializes (because the Fed isn't getting out of this conundrum they put us in in 1987). And we STILL will pay market value for CFP tickets lol.

There's nothing that solves playoff berths better than having championship caliber football teams.

I'm not sure anyone would promote Sewell based on this year's performance. Disappointed is an understatement. Not to mention he's truly been the soul of the defense (even when Thibs was here). The team usually matched his intensity level and used to play tough, hard-nosed football. I say Sewell was the heart of the defense because when he started here, he was a beast, and the defense played like that. Where that fire has been the last two years is a mystery. Sewell used to be a sideline to sideline LB. He's not a speedball, but his instincts and intensity were attributes he had - which is why we used to see him by the ball at the end of nearly every play. I'm not sure what happened. But the defense looked so horrible overall, there was reason to really think about just Sewell. It sure didn't help not having help at defensive tackle the past two years ( which is why I always questioned Dorlus trying to replace Thibs instead remaining the best HE was inside). But I'm just a scrub giving my take. I've coached defense once, and I'm built differently when it comes to scheme, and clearly I'm not coaching present day. So all I can give is an opinion. I hope Noah Sewell reverts back to his freshman and sophomore years and earns accolades at the next level. Who cares where he's drafted.

It's always best to remain classy when criticizing players. SOMETIMES THOUGH, you just want to be in first grade again...

Went to both schools as an undergrad. Oregon was more cozy, but UW wasn't as cold and uninviting as people say. Academically, I got challenged as an undergrad day one at UW. You had to be excellent to advance to your school of choice. They fostered chilling competition ( maybe that's where the large and cold reputation comes from). I didn't get pushed like that at Oregon until I was a Junior. But I did get pressed from that point on. I enjoyed both schools and met very excellent people at both Universities. I do believe you had to be serious at UW immediately, unlike the fun atmosphere in Eugene, or you wouldn't graduate in Seattle.

Hutson didn't do a damn thing when he caught that pass. It was routine. And he acted like he was superb. Pee Wee kids catch passes for first downs. I can't tell how much money kids like Kris Hutson cost my company this year. That's why I applaud Cristobal's meltdown. Kids are a huge liability these days. Because of behavior and attitudes like Hutson's. I don't know when it started. Don't care. Until it stops, I'm going to be firing dozens of kids like Kris Hutson.

Had the defense been just solid all year, we're talking 11-1 hands down. A playoff beth, and a shot at redemption at the team that showed OBD what it takes the be a contender, and a champion.

I feel your pain. And it always seems like we're always going to be on the cusp, only to be forsaken. Winning a Natty is harder than winning a Super Bowl in my eyes. Despite the hard landing, we did better than I expected after watching Georgia mop us up like the dirtiest of floors. Think of it like this, our defense was worst than the Oregon defenses of the seventies at times, and we still were lucky bounces away from reaching the playoffs. Every year is going to feel like this. Until we win a Natty. Then the angst and fear will start all over again (but it sure would be nice to have a Natty lol).

Who would you have picked? Not a slam question either. I really had no idea who would be interested enough to deal with the challenge Oregon truly is. We are a tweener program. Not blue blood like Tennessee or Penn State, but in their very position. Taken seriously by opponents, but blue bloods always expect to beat us. Tucked away in what seems like Alaska or Hawaii. Still slighted and threatened by the Fuskies. Who always loom as the team players may go to (besides USC) to keep us where we are. We always have talent, but building talented depth is what kills us. How many coaches want that problem, than say revitalizing the Fuskies, USC, Penn State or Tennessee? Look at this year's team. A talented bunch that has the ability, but just can't seem to muster the chops to be a blue blood. Finally, how many Phil Knight type boosters do we need to sustain this? Quite honesty, that is the biggest challenge the Oregon program faces. How many established coaches want to take up that challenge? So, I'm asking honestly and with as much respect as I can put on paper, what established coaches do you think would take on the Oregon challenge?

I thought the defense would be dramatically better. Someone asked last night if Mario should still be blamed for this year ( awesome question). I can't say yes totally, but the defense , which is mostly Mario's players, was so up and down ( completely a Mario trait) that I want to blame him. I thought the defense would be a huge plus this year. Isn't it awesome we don't get penalized financially for being wrong? LOL I did believe Nix would be much better with an OL and WR set. I was more impressed than I imagined. I expected this team to be a playoff contender. They were, then they weren't. Then they were. Then they weren't. I do wonder what would have happened if Nix waited oh so little longer before he took off for the first down/ end zone at the end of the Fusky game. I know people are frustrated about Lanning going for it on that fourth down miss. Does anyone really believe our defense would have stopped Oregon State after a punt instead? I certainly don't. I repeat my fuming post from a couple of weeks ago: I'd be pretty mad if I was an opponent on offense against OBD and I didn't have a career performance. That OBD held Utah to 17 points is a bloody miracle.

I don't. I just think Mario's stamp is so dominant that this team just chokes. This is like the Stanford games, and the Auburn game. It's like watching boxing versus MMA. Boxers go to their corner when their opponents go down. MMA fighters just pound their opponents when they fall down. Mario is a boxer that recruited boxers. Lanning needs time to rid this mentality completely. He is a killer. He just has regular soldiers instead of special forces. He brought some with him. I think the transfer portal really helped this team because I don't think the team Mario left behind has the mental makeup to win the games this team has won this year.

This is what I mean by lack of killer instinct. A twenty one point lead leads to penalties and bobbled punt snaps that lead to 14 quick points. Mario hexed his players so bad, they still make mistakes well after he is gone. I think if DL was their coach four year ago, the upset in Columbus would have been a rout (like Michigan has done twice). You can't make up stuff like this. It's purely mental. This game was over ten minutes ago. Now we'll see what OBD are made of.

I think execution of the play was the issue. In my eyes, Nix didn't sell the pass to make it a QB Draw instead of a run up the middle. The formation was familiar for a run on that play, but the safety stayed in the extended box, anticipating the run. A simple delay, look to his right at the three receivers on that side would have frozen the safety enough to maybe get the first down. We don't know when players will get injured. That was as much a fluke as Justin Herbert's against Cal( it didn't even look all ike Herbert got hurt on the play). The call was the flip side of success. If Nix converts or scores a TD, we wouldn't be having this conversation. All plays are fifty- fifty chances of success ( a tribute to that is when the defense KNOWS the play,but can't stop it).

It's the pattern I'm talking about. Utah should be done. But plays like that show up out of the blue, andow and behold, the team OBD should kill, gets back in the game. That kind of play changes momentum far too much. And it was constant in the Cristobal era.

I really don't think that fumble touchdown was on the coaches. There just seems to be a too many players from the Cristobal era that are mental mush when it comes to killer instinct. I have never seen so many unforced errors as I've seen since Cristobal came to Eugene. How many changes in momentum will we see with his players?

I'm not really concerned about the offense. How many points does Utah want to score? Frankly, without Bo, it's a matter of how much they want to humiliate OBD. Usually I am verbose beyond patience. But OBD haven't been good in pass coverage since 2019. And it's not the coaches. These players are simply horrible. If I were a WR, I'd be mad at my QB/DC if I didn't get career stats against OBD.

Well, it's really hard to win 24 in a row. Didn't think about that until the game started. But to lose to the FUSKIES really sucks. And after all this drama, it comes down to a PAC12 ref( you know, the conference of champions kind of ref). Oh I really want this conference to die. Too many times refs have cost us titles, and playoff appearances.

Too many DCs are struggling with coverage rules according to the type of formation they face. LB coverage as a support to the secondary is not values enough. That's one thing Kirby Smart has been excellent at. He does have the players, but he isn't afraid to be aggressive against aggressive offenses. His safeties close natural windows pre snap. His LBs almost always close gaps because they are in position according to guess ehat- coverage rules and responsibilities. Safeties and LBs are pivotal is forcing QBs to hold the ball. A QB should not have quick options. LBs and Safeties make that happen. If I had time, I'd go through a plethora of examples. In fact, I'd send them to coaches. Too many coaches misuse their LBs and Safeties in pass coverage . Boy if I got paid for showing how to do it (I obviously have thought a lot about this).

One thing I Like about Dilly is he takes his time uncovering weaknesses in defenses. He felt out how UW's DL pressured Nix, and has adjusted accordingly. We've always known we can run in teams (Georgia didn't stop us), but it's the adjustment against Hurries that I'm impressed with. Passes are quicker, deep routes are timed better (something Nix and Dilly CLEARLY have worked on-and to Nix's strength -inside the hashes). On defense, I still think Dorlus is more of a force inside. Especially at pash rush. And if course, Hill just covered the wrong WR when he's supposed to force the underneath pass (the route he covered instead of bracketing the post route). Who teaches these guys cover responsibility? Safeties always focus on deep routes first. ANOTHER example of looking at the QB instead of the guy you should find and cover. The focus is taking away options, not guessing where the QB will throw the ball. Man, I should have studied football in college. There should be a degree for this since coaches are making millions.