Mike West

Not only that, lots of experts that follow Oregon saw the WR room in the spring Game and elevated the Ducks' status. It really points out just how MC handcuffed this offense. And yes, Brown's arm strength was never a flaw. What a waste of talent. If MC wants to keep his job more than two years he better use that very good QB of his immediately. Doubt he will, butt he's be really stupid not to after seeing what happened last night.

Demonstrating they had no business in the playoff in the first place. We all knew this. Football is not basketball. There are no Cinderellas in football. You are elite, or you are ordinary. We're about to witness not only how ordinary the G5 is, but how ordinary the majority of the SEC is.

Integrity matters. Usually I blather on about subjects. This time I just want to say I don't want my University tarnished going after that elusive title.

Hard to argue your premise Jon. That first effort to add A&M, Oklahoma, Texas and Oklahoma State was the best effort to preserve the solid reputation the conference had. Since then, the "Conference of Champions" look to sports that clearly don't fund the Athletic Departments of our "prestigious" set of universities. Meanwhile, the BCS successfully reduced USC to ashes. Nobody was in the Trojans' realm for seven full years. I do argue it was necessary to keep the SEC in it's place, which USC did at the beginning of the century. Those ole boys learned quickly to avoid Southern Cal and build their narrative in the meantime ( nobody dared face USC after they annihilated Auburn in prime time). Unfortunately, s few bad ref calls thwarted OBD when we took the mantle with Chip, and that was all she wrote for the PAC12 ( as the Fuskies didn't have a complete enough QB to finish off Bama when they clearly were good enough to). Now the mighty Presidents of our academically elite conference are slowly collapsing it into dust as West Coast Recruits obviously recognize Olympic Sports matter more than revenue generating sports. Tisk tisk.

Maybe a strategy to use to leverage ESecPN? I doubt they truly believe the SEC is a standalone product. They're too boring. ESPN would certainly block any move to their Monopoly coverage of the bowl games. I actually believe you're more correct about the Super League. I'll tell you this: the PAC12 is moving closer to the talent level of the MWC every day. I'm beginning to think the conference Presidents are too arrogant to recognize the peril they are in. USC better have a banner 2022, and I sure hope the others (including OBD) start winning their OOC games (including the bowls). There is no justification for Oregon State losing to Utah State Street beating Utah. That is more telling than USC falling from grace in my opinion.

Are you sure our brand came from airing it out? I seen to recall tOSU shutting down The Helfrich passing game, and Chip refused to pass it when required in Tucson. I believe our brand originated from explosive plays. Saban recognized it, and now used it as his weapon of mass destruction. Lanning called it out as a requirement. As far as UGA's defense. Neither UGA nor Bama can stop explosive offenses. Or anybody for that matter. Even LSU didn't completely shut down Clemson, they just took away their explosive nature. You need all three units to win. Definitely a defense that averages less than 17 ppg all year( can't stop everybody every time), backed by an offense that explodes enough to win a battle of attrition when teams they play are equally lethal. We're in uncharted territory. And unless the coaches you're concerned about have current allegations, do you believe they deserve scrutiny based on their merit overall? Especially the past two to three years? Well see soon enough what Lanning produces. I base my evaluations on the present. Hence, I'm waiting to see what MC does in Miami (I believe he will ultimately fail, but the ACC surly isn't the SEC, so he isn't in immediate danger). I also am curious about Lanning's ultimate strategy. We won't get any ideas until at least the Spring. Though I understand the dread ( so many unknown factors), I'm curious why most of us seem to drift negative at any sign of trouble. Hopium springs eternal...until further notice.

Almost. Allioti's defenses were highly under rated. 2007; absolutely 2010; and until he left. The Brand was the offense. The Brand's anchor was the defense. I still believe Allioti's defenses were far more physical than any of his successors. I have never seen players limp off the field, or receive KO hits like Chip's Natty year. Not sure I ever will.

LOL I'm not sure the Seahawks win it if they run inside. The Patriots emphasized they expected that inside run. An OZR however? Like the play that got them to the one yard line? B2B titles baby! Of course, I was rooting for the "dark side". I love the fact the Steelers and Patriots show players why they are owners. I'll never forget the response to the INT. A friend of mine who absolutely hated the Patriots said he couldn't believe he just witnessed that stupid play. I responded by saying I said the exact same thing to myself when the Patriots' Free Safety jumped over a falling WR and let him catch Wilson's pass instead of INTERCEPTING IT. The Seahawks had no business getting that goal line shot. The game should have been over on that "non interception" Ole Pete choked. He knew better than to run a dive ( hadn't worked all second half of the game- twice in third and one situations). But that great run by Beast Mode to the one yard line was the play Carroll should have run again. Guess it shows even the best mess up.

RLMAO I had to look at his name twelve times to spell it in a comment I posted yesterday.

In my opinion, all it took was NFL speed to make JH noteworthy. Go watch his 2017 highlight reel. Let me know if you saw open WRs like that in 2018 and 2019- and I'm talking about separation speed here. The 2019 WR group looked horrible against the two high caliber secondaries they faced in 2019 ( Auburn - 214 Passing yards per game and Wisconsin 187). So many scouts criticized JH for his decision making. I saw an analysis from the 2018 Fusky game ( another excellent secondary with three Current NFL players from that team). Herbert wouldn't throw into closing windows in that reel. Furthermore, even burner Carrington couldn't separate from the stingy Fusky secondary. In my arrogant opinion, JH was handicapped by his mediocre set of WRs his last two years. The kid is a natural. He doesn't think about ball placement. I saw a TD pass he threw - to a well covered Charger WR- that was pure confidence in the WR's ability to catch up to his throw. He absolutely didn't have that in 2018 or 2019. Heck, guys barely were open unless they ran crossing patterns, curls, slants or deep outs (no fades, no post patterns, no seam routes). In 2017, Carrington and Charles Nelson ran roughshod on secondaries. JH would throw into tight windows unconsciously because he knew they would get to the spot he needed to throw to. Watch the film. You'll see what I'm talking about. I even argued in 2018 and 2019 that not only would JH flourish in the NFL, but for those exact reasons.

Mind blowing article Jon. What a juicy topic. First of all, how will this effect draft status for players wanting to go to the NFL? Since most players aren't close to talented enough to play in the NFL, how will that work out? Will players stay longer than four years? Will there be a salary cap? How will that effect minimum salaries? Will players be allowed to switch back and forth between leagues? Now that we've seen the first year of NIL, I'm sure some changes will occur. For instance, Spencer Rattler and DJ Ulagalelei were disappointments while Bryce Young and CJ Stroud were standouts. What kind of NIL deals will be signed from this point on (and if labor contracts are signed, how will that play out?). Currently, it appears the wise coaches are going to pluck talent they can develop from other schools, and the recruiting rating systems are definitely going to be affected moving forward. Plenty of schools have already experienced disappointments like Spencer Rattler and DJ Ulagalelei, heck Oregon has experienced it three times the last 7 years. In the meantime, CJ Stroud and Bryce Young were standouts. NIL deals are risky business. I do believe there will be a slow transition to any such league. It's only been one year in this new system of "payoffs and free agency". I for one wouldn't shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars to teenagers yet to prove themselves, even the top 300 players rated. I believe there will be a shakeout in that area. Same goes for coaches. After all, Michigan and Cincinnati are an aberration to say the least. If the playoff expands, I believe the astronomic coaching salaries may cool off. Jimbo Fisher is a one hit wonder so far. Same for Mac Brown. In fact, the only Lion in the coaching ranks is Nick Saban. Will we see schools succeed like the Steelers and the Patriots in this new system ( keep salaries low by developing players and allow teams willing to "over pay" to pluck proven talent - yet still earn titles and playoff berths)? Athletic Directors will need to develop some serious acumen to successfully navigate this new landscape. So much to ponder. It will be fascinating to observe the changes coming to college football. Let's hope University Presidents are truly an educated group, and are capable of preserving the goose that laid the Golden Egg.

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.