Jon Joseph

True, but 1 more conference L by Stanford and there will be at least 1 more L for this Cardinal team, and the Ducks conference-wise, is totally back in control. Run the table and OR has the tie breaker against a 1L OR ST. Even if ASU only has the L to BYU, Ducks play ASU in the champ game and win, Oregon is potentially a 12-1 conference champ. I do not think that a 12-1 Pac-12 champ with a big and possibly bigger OOC win, if Ohio State runs the table and wins the B1G, will be left out. The win at Columbus is still the biggest OOC win to date. UGA's W over Clemson? Iowa over Iowa ST? Not close to the win in Columbus. Swing for the fences? Heck yes! But don't panic with so much left to play for.

OK, raise your hand if you were alive in 1962? Unfortunately, my hand is up. 1962 - Wisconsin vs Minnesota Before tomorrow's Penn State at Iowa game, that 1962 game was the last time 2 top 10 ranked B1G teams squared off in a game that not involve Michigan or Ohio State! BTW, James Franklin is 0-9 in road games vs top 10 teams.

"The calm voice comes over the headset right as things are getting a little tense in Corvallis. Oregon State is trailing Washington by 7 with 10 minutes to go and Beavers OC, Brian Lindgren, is feeling some pressure. Then, Lindgren hears the casual reassuring words of the man in charge, Jonathon Smith, 'We're doing all right. I love your plan. You're great coaches. Let's relax and put together a great drive. Don't panic.' From an article by The Athletic's (TA) Brody Miller, who is the TA beat writer for LSU, up today and describing how Smith in his 4th season has patiently stayed the course in a monumental rebuild that currently has the Beavers in 1st place in the Pac-12 N. Made me wonder? Is the same demeanor in play on the Oregon sideline in close games? Did 6th year QB, AB, HC Mario, OL coach Mirabal, gather the OL around before the late 4th Q drive that could have put the game away at Stanford, and say something like: "Our back up center is doing a great job. No false starts here guys. Move on the snap of the ball and not before. Let's ice this game?'

LOL!

I think the following is most likely to determine Mario's future? When will a pedestrian O and 1 score struggles against overmatched opponents stop fans from paying to watch live in Autzen? Mullens cannot ignore this question. Winning on signing days when you don't win or win with style on game days, is a curse as well as a blessing.

As was often heard in the 60s: HEY BUDDY, GET A HAIRCUT! Man, the injury bug in 2021 has replaced the 2020 COVID bug. BUMMER!

Spot on Charles. I think one of Urban's motivations in taking the Jax job was to prove that he could succeed where Saban failed? In today's PC world, Urban would be a toxic college hire.

What! Are you of the Philly folks who booed Santa Claus?

Stanford will take a loss Friday night. Stanford's good fortune against better Oregon squads does not translate across the conference. Stanford was man handled by UCLA. Last Saturday Stanford needed every break and every call and non-call, to do the Cardinal's way to beat the Ducks in OT. A Ducks team without its OC and starting center. Saturday was a Stanford mirage.

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?