Jon Joseph

Another great read David, thank you. But I have to demur regarding Oregon's PO hopes in 2021? The ACC is out of it. TX beats OK on Saturday or the B12 champ otherwise finishes 12-1 and with the W at Ohio State, a 12-1 OR will have a better resume than any B12 champ. One of Iowa/Penn State will come out of Saturday with an L. I do not see Michigan or Michigan State running the table in the B1G? I see the B1G champ with an L. If that is Ohio State, the Ducks win in Columbus is even better. I don't think Iowa's O is good enough to go undefeated. Same with Penn State. If Iowa wins the B1G, its big OOC win will be versus a disappointing Iowa State team. Yes, Bama could and likely will finish 13-0. And UGA could finish 12-1? But today, how impressive is the win against Clemson? A 12-1 conference champ Oregon will be in the discussion with a 12-1 conference runner-up Georgia. Especially, if tOSU runs the table and wins the B1G. Stanford? I see the Cardinal taking an L Friday at ASU. And I do not see Stanford, with an L at UCLA, finishing with but 1 conference loss? Stanford is 112th in the country per play against the rush. Stanford, unlike against Oregon, does not get every break and every call going its way. ASU keeps winning and the Beavers keep winning and both will likely be in top 25 when OSU plays Oregon and should Oregon play ASU in the champ game? But make no mistake, I'm all in favor of getting the best guys, regardless of youth, on the field. No one has been more suspect of Mario's HC ability than I. But I simply cannot conceive any coaching staff playing guys who are not the best in practice? Do not give up the ship. This idle week comes at a perfect time for this Ducks team. As does CAL coming to Autzen next Saturday. Oregon has the talent to defeat every team on the remainder of the schedule, to win the Pac-12 title and finish 12-1.

Thanks Oregon 112, interesting thoughts and take. Stanford is 112th in the nation in yards given up per rush. Oregon outgained Stanford. IMO, far more RPOs and straight handoffs to the RBs should have been called in last Saturday's game?

Thanks Coach. So true that Barkley's are rare indeed. The shoot out with SC in the Rose Bowl was so much fun to watch. Unless you're a DC?

BUMMER!

Recruiting rankings do not count guys on a team's roster who came out of the portal. Smith has done a good job picking up guys from the portal. In 2021, MI ST has 12 starters who came from the portal. Arkansas has 10. Another coach doing far better in his 2nd season than his first, Dave Aranda at Baylor, has 9 starters from the portal. Better to sign a 4* out of HS or take a 3* with a year or two of playing experience from the portal?

FYI. 2nd year Michigan State coach, Mel Tucker, has Sparty at 5-0. 12 starters for this MI ST team came out of the portal. NFL teams have split scouts. One group looks at college guys and the other evaluates players heading into free agency and those with trade potential. Recruiting still very much matters. But someone best be keeping an eye on the portal.

Brother, I feel and share your pain. According to the wife, I went off the deep end long ago. I posted in the preseason that I would not be surprised to see this team finish anywhere from 12-0 to 8-4? Anywhere from the Playoff to the Sun Bowl? When one of 'the kids' could not win the QB job from a QB who never completed more than 50% of his passes and was coming off 2 knee surgeries; well, I was leaning more toward 8-4? Then, Columbus happened! Was that game a complete aberration? I don't know? I do know that any opponent is a threat when you play down to the opponent's level. That there is no way that even the best teams win every one score game. Hoping that the time out this week really helps? If AB starts against CAL, I will of course cheer the team on but I will not be optimistic.

Another great article. Thank you Coach. I do note that the RPO seems to work better with McSorley at QB and Barkley at RB? And being an OC under a hands off HC, James Franklin, also likely helps? This O was so-so at Mississippi State and it isn't lighting up the Pac-12. Love the O in theory, but it still comes down to the Jimmies and the Joes. Love AB's guts. But he is a square peg trying to fit into an RPO role. Have to make the right decisions and you have to be far better than a 50% passer for the RPO O to really hum. Thanks again.

I think he has matured? I don't believe a team he coached has ever gone on probation? His players have not gotten in a whole lot of trouble. After attending the Nick Saban Former HC Rehab Program, Kiffin did a terrific job at FAU and is doing a good job at Ole Miss. Blown out by Bama last Saturday but what team isn't blown out by Bama in Tuscaloosa? He did stiff arm Tennessee. But SC was the guy's dream college job and it was offered. What Haden did to Kiffin on the tarmac is as scummy as anything Lane has ever done. Haden of course is in the running for worst AD ever. I certainly do understand your concerns regarding Kiffin. He is not a buttoned down guy. But Saban frequently goes after the press, mostly as a motivational tool. Oregon grad and USC coach John McKay was not a shrinking violet. Etc, etc., etc. Since serving under Saban and updating the Bama O, he has a winning record both at the G5 and P5 level. Again, I am not trying to 'win' an argument here. Many CFB fans share your concerns regarding Kiffin. As a practical matter, I don't see Mario departing. Kiffin is in a conference with no financial worries. And I think he will get a call when coach O is fired and maybe, when Saban finally decides to hand it up?

Thank you Charles. Can't quibble with Oregon 112's comment. More top 25 teams have lost to unranked opponents this season than CFB has seen since the 1980s. COVID aftershock? But the Tide never seems to go out? I looked up the definition of 'nemesis' and a head shot of David Shaw popped up.

Where have all the flowers gone? Where is the passing? Where have all the flowers gone? They were here not so long ago. Where have all the flowers gone? Is there no passer among the QB young? When will the the HC learn? When will he ever learn? Where have all the flowers gone? Into the portal? Where have all the flowers gone? How do stars disappear? Where have all the flowers gone? Into a system that can only run? When will the HC learn? When will he ever learn?

Put those webbed feet up Puddles, take a break. Sitting on the porch this weekend you could be moving on up? And not be behind the 8 ball? Using the AP week 5 rankings and all game times eastern. Heading into week 6, 4 B1G teams remained undefeated. And 5 B1G teams are ranked in the AP top 12. Michigan is playing with a verve not recently seen under Jim Harbaugh. Hats off to Harbaugh for making assistant coaching changes for the better. Including saying goodbye to long time DC, Don Brown. Don is now the DC at Arizona. This Saturday Michigan is at an improving Nebraska team. A Cornhuskers team that gave Oklahoma all it couth handle in Norman. Michigan State. The poaching of Mel Tucker from CU is paying off in year two. Mel has masterfully worked the transfer portal. This Saturday, Sparty heads to Rutgers. Another B1G team revitalized with the return of HC Greg Schiano. Ohio State as Ducks fans well know has 1L. But the folks in Vegas still have the Buckeyes as odds on favorites to win the B1G title and advance to the playoff (PO.) This week the Bucks play a Maryland team that was destroyed by Iowa in its last outing. But the Big Game in the B1G this week is #4 Penn State at #3, -2.5, Iowa. Iowa wins and it has a great opportunity to run the table up to the B1G Champ game. Penn State wins and it still faces games versus Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State. Game time is at 4 on FX1. (BIG FOX has baseball to cover. GO Red Sox!) At this point in the season I think it is safe to say that the B1G E is the best division in CFB. Now, let's turn our attention to the Red River Rivalry. 2 teams off to the SEC square off for B12 supremacy when #6 Oklahoma - -3.5- tees it up against #21 Texas. Texas did get gob-smacked at Arkansas. But in that game Sark made a change at QB that has paid off for the Longhorns. Last Saturday, unlike some folks we know, Texas defeated its B12 nemesis in Fort Worth. Won a hard fought game in front of a sold out stadium of hostile Horned Frogs fans and not in a stadium with nerd quarantine in effect. The best player in this game this will not be Spencer Rattler, the OK QB from Arizona, but TX RB Bijan Robinson form Arizona. Ducks fans should be cheering on the Longhorns. A 1L Pac-12 champ Oregon will have a resume every bit as good as a 1L B12 champ Oklahoma or Texas. Noon on ABC. And Game Day is coming to the city. It's the PO, a/k/a the ESPN/SEC Invitational. so you cannot overlook the SEC. #1 Alabama -17.5, is at NR Texas A+M. One of the most anticipated games preseason has gone south as Jimbo's pay has gone north. 8 on CBS. #2 Georgia -14 at #18 Auburn. The South's oldest rivalry will be played in front of War Eagle on The Plains. UGA QB Daniels has not been able to throw in practice this week. Bryan Harsin has to date, really come through at Auburn. Auburn was in the game in front of a White Out crowd at Penn St to the very end. And if Bo Nix can go Johnny Football like he did last week at LSU? FWIW, I'm down with Auburn +14. 3:30 CBS. Off radar but closer to home. #22 ASU -10 vs NR Stanford. The Sun Devils shot itself in the pitch fork at #10 BYU. Nevertheless, from a PO point of view, this was a good loss. I doubt that the Cardinal will be ale to travel with the same refs who last week committed larceny on The Farm? Friday, 10:30 on ESPN. NR Oregon State -3.5 at NR Washington State. The WAZZU D shut down a CAL team that put up 32 points on the Horned Frogs at TCU. Washington State has had a 4th quarter lead in every game it has lost this season. Come on Beavers! Win this game and perhaps make it into the top 25? Keep on keeping on Smitty's and the 11/20 game vs ASU in Corvallis could be huge. as could the "Civil War" game in Eugene. Game time is 4 on the Pac-12 Network. Lots of ball left to be played. The Ducks is still in Playoff contention. A little help from ASU and Oregon State could really help the PO cause.

Great comment Drake. But other than the game in Columbus was anyone thrilled with the play vs Fresno, Stony Brook and Arizona?

Freeman is definitely an assistant coach to watch. My guess is that he has his eye on a job in the Midwest if the right one opens up? Maybe, even replacing Kelly when Kelly steps down? No doubt recruiting and the corollary today, working the transfer portal, is the key to CFB success. It has always been and always will be about the Jimmies and the Joes. As Joshua Whitting so correctly noted today, you do have to coach them up after you bring them in. I see a lot of parallels with Mario's teams and Texas in the Brown's later days and under Strong and Herman?

Good call. Interesting that Bryan Harsin was next door and never got a look? I have been surprised at how well he has done to date moving to Auburn, moving from the MW to the SEC. This seemingly improbable hire looks like it is going to work out? Leach is also doing a good job at MS ST. Oregon was arguably screwed by the refs last Saturday but an SEC crew stole the Memphis game from the Pirate. His D has been very good. I think Auburn has a shot, especially if Daniels can't play, to give Georgia a heck of a game On The Plains this Saturday? In general. why would any coach leave the financially sound B1G or SEC today to coach in the Pac-12 after dark and play in half full stadiums?

Very interesting idea. But is Saban ready to hang it up any time soon? His age certainly does not seem to be hurting recruiting and snagging quality guys from the transfer portal. And his all time run of success on the field continues. Ole Miss is not a bad team. Ole Miss would be a legit threat to win the Pac-12 conference and the ACC conference. Last Saturday Bama destroyed Ole Miss. How much $ would Saban command to take such an oversight job? And would he be satisfied simply to be an adviser? To have no say regarding the assistant coaches, practice habits, etc.? One thing I don't get? Why can't Mario emulate Saban from afar? He worked for the man. He has seen the man evolve his coaching philosophy on both sides of the ball. I am reasonably certain that if Mario asked, Saban would welcome a visit from Mario and his assistants to Tuscaloosa? The kind of visit Swinney and his assistants made to Eugene when Chip was the HC. But is Mario too prideful too ask? Seems to be Mario's way and don't get in my way?

I considered J Smith being on the list? But then I thought: Would Terry Donahue have left UCLA for USC? If he keeps it up in Corvallis Smith will be on many the ADs radar.

Let me make it clear. I am not giving up on Oregon making the PO in 2021. The game at Stanford was a perfect storm of OC and Starting center out, bad quarter-backing, a nemesis again rearing its ugly head and head scratching calls that have every right to be questioned. Mario is not going anywhere. If there was doubt about his remaining as the Ducks HC he would not have received the contract extension, pay raise and increased amount of his buy out. As long as Mullens is the AD and as long as the Ducks contend for and win conference titles, Mario is the Oregon HC. But hypothetically, let's say Mario takes over as HC at his alma mater Miami, who would be on the radar as a replacement hire? Not Leaving; Sark will not leave UT and the SEC for Oregon. I see James Franklin, while he might take the USC job or LSU job when it opens, not being interested in trading Happy Valley for Eugene. Lincoln Riley? No way. A guy who has OK rolling and is also off to the SEC. Bob Stoops? Don't see it? Ditto, Chris Peterson. Luke Fickell? Ohio through and through. Bloom off the rose? Matt Campbell did take down Mario and the Ducks last season. But this season when Iowa State was supposed to be a threat for a PO spot? 2Ls to date mean no PO and likely no B12 championship. Plus, Campbell has no recruiting experience on the west coast. Brian Kelly? The man is 60. Notre Dame to Oregon would be at best a lateral move. In play? Mark Stoops who has done a great job at Kentucky. Jeff Hafley who has done good things in his short tenure at BC. Dave Clawson who is coaching the only undefeated team in the ACC, Wake Forest. Dan Mullen, a guy who appears to be fed up with the Florida job? But none of these guys has actively recruited the west coast. Mullen in particular has not done a great job of recruiting in talent rich Florida. So and let the bricks be thrown my way, I'd go with Lane Kiffin. A guy who has matured. A guy who will put an effective O on the field. A guy who can coach up QBs. A guy whose D at Mississippi has greatly improved in his 2nd season in Oxford. A guy who can recruit and is very familiar with recruiting on the west coast. Again, I want Mario to succeed, to coach up the talent he has recruited and have Oregon in the PO field more often than not. But, am I hopeing against hope?

You must have watched me play? GREAT analogy.

UF's ranking is interesting considering the Gators still has to play Georgia? The other 4 represent the 'quality' of the conference the 4 teams play in. ACC top 25 rankings: 19 Wake Forest and 23 NC State. Today, the ACC would miss a 12 team PO in favor of Sun Belt 'Champ' Coastal Carolina. The Pac-12: 8 Oregon and 22 ASU. 7 SEC teams are ranked. 5 B1G teams ranked, all in the top 12. The Pac-12 and the ACC have the worst record vs OOC competition. No undefeated team in the Pac-12. 1, Wake Forest, in the ACC.

Or, splitting face cards at the blackjack table?

Wow, a great, truthful and hard-hitting article. Another gem from Joshua. Mario has had ample time to 'learn' how to be a HC. He has over 70 games of HC experience. He simply is over his head as a HC. No switch will be flipped. No lightbulb will be turned on. Mario is what his record says he is. Mario is 6-6 in his last 12 road games vs conference opponents. Based on roster talent, none of these games should have been lost. When the team wants to play, vs. Utah and SC in conference champ games and at Ohio State, it can defeat any opponent. In part Mario is the HC because his players begged Mullens to hire him. His players apparently love Mario and the family culture. So why can't Mario get the players ready to play on Saturday? Why do the players come out so flat? Seemingly without the will to win? Just going through the motions instead of wanting to dominate the opposition? The #1 duty of a HC is to have his players ready to play to the best of their ability. Not only are the players not prepared to play, Mario is not prepared as an in-game coach. He is a good man and a great recruiter. I'm not sure that he is that great of an OL coach? I am sure that his high school buddy, Mirabal, can't carry Steve Greatwood's jock. The 1 thing I take issue with in Joshua's excellent article, at Penn St Moorhead had a quality CFB QB in McSorley and an all world RB in Barkley. And I'm reasonably certain that James Franklin allowed JM to run the O without micro-managing JM? DeRuyter? In his 3 seasons at CAL the D was good but retrogressed every season. Ohio State's holes on D were evidenced by JM's great play calling in Columbus. Did Ryan Day stand pat? No, he demoted his DC and changed the starting personnel on D. He changed the D formation from always playing with a deep safety. In other words, he improved the D and proved that he knows how to coach So spot on Joshua, guys are not being coached up. If Sark or Kiffin had these guys on O and were given a free hand does anyone believe Oregon would not be far more effective on O? It takes time and money to build a national brand. Oregon with the help of NIKE and better than average coaching did just that. The Ducks was must watch CFB TV. Now, watching the games is like sitting in your dentist's chair. It's painful. What to do? What can Mario's boss, Mullens, do? With the talent he has brought in Mario will win enough games in a bad conference to remain employed. But I think the Rose Bowl, especially when he has an NFL rookie of the year QB, when the RB is not a PO semi-final site, is Mario's ceiling? What is the over/under today on games at UCLA, at UW and at Utah? And if you have been watching the Beavers, the 'Civil War' will be a battle.

Great question and comments. My comment - a well organized, well quarter-backed team does not commit 2 false start penalties and what could have been the clinching drive. AB QB'd the entire game. So, it's not a matter of a different cadence. You are trying to run the clock. What's the advantage of gaining a micro-second of a head start. At the time these 2 penalties happened they were no different than turn overs recovered by the team that turned the ball over. Would the Ducks have won the game if AB had kneeled 3 times and Snee pooch punted? The end game Saturday reminded me of another late loss to Stanford. One that came from handing the ball off to Verdell instead of taking a knee.

Thanks Charles. Why not a Run For The Roses? Why continue to participate in a so-called playoff system that has greatly benefitted one conference over the rest? It's not just the final 4 teams making bank, it's the NY6 Bowl teams in total. The SEC always has more teams in the NY6 than any other conference. Larry should have gone ballistic when 3L LSU played in the Fiesta Bowl instead of 2L WA ST; we didn't hear a peep out of Larry. That's $4M that went to the SEC and not the Pac-12.

Great point. But he was playing for a coach at BC straight out of the 'Mario mold," Steve Addazio.