Haywarduck

Agree he isn't going to flip on his investment on Mario too quick, and he can't, but T A$M and Miami may rethink paying freshman big dollars, along with other players who haven't proven their value. Miami and Texas ATM, might be the best thing to happen to the whole NIL mess. They are proof positive throwing money at freshman isn't a guarantee to victory. I could see more money being spent of student athletes who want to go higher in the draft. Pay those kids some money to polish up and prove themselves. Might be an easier sell, and also better return on the money. I imagine Gonzalez is just about exactly the kind of guy you spend NIL money on.

What MariØ needs to do is keep his O-line together and pick up the generational RB. That is his offense, not the elite qb, he just needs the AB, or running qb who manages a game. He already recruited a kid just like that last year. He will also need some tough blocking TE's. The trick to success for MariØ is for him to come completely clean on the football team he wants to build. He wants to take his program back to the old days of low scoring, smash mouth football. If he continues to try and sell the same idea he sold the Oregon program and delivers ineffective plodding ball he may not last as long as slick at his dream school. The mirage many people see with the exciting winning football is just that, a mirage. The real Achilles heal for MarØ is just about every coach with equal or close to equal talent will out coach him every time. He is a deer in the headlights once the game starts, 'timeout!' The other problem the hurricanes may have is their financial benefactor who paid MariØ and the 'student' athletes millions may tighten his pocketbook after seeing the outcomes. Much like Texas A$M is learning, money doesn't buy output. What is amazing is this guy thought giving athletes millions while living so close to south beach was a good idea. I would say the combination of MariØ's coaching ability, and the money thrown at these athletes has proven a toxic mix. The end may come quicker than many thought.

If you could guarantee Georgia was going to win a National Title the game before playing Oregon they would schedule us every year. I think we would schedule you every year if we could guarantee we would have Lanning as a coach. Now that would be a fun series. As long as one of the teams is the National Champ, and the coaches are the same we play until something changes, game on!

The participation trophy mentality says you don't schedule a tough game or the players feeling might get hurt. That's not the way the world works, the tougher the game the better. I think the SEC does have it down with less conference games and a cream puff late in the season. You should never shy away from tough games, but pace yourself. A tough first game is a smart move in my book. The SEC also knows how important home field advantage is. The idea the Georgia game was on a neutral field was a joke.

Interesting fact Penix Jr. threw 4 TD's and 7 Interceptions last year. If somebody is going to return to their old ways it just may be Penix. Both of these qb's have better coaches, but Penix would seem to be due for another pic or more.

Just the idea Oregon is, again, adjusting and trying to fool a defense and offense is refreshing. The end of the unimaginative, predictable coaching is something which brings warmth to my heart. Seeing a dawg team confused, rattled and seeing the game get away quickly will add to the joy. I look forward to Bassa adding that spice as you predict. I also look forward to our DB's getting a or a few pics. Gonzalez is a special talent and I would love to see him get a pic in this game and then string together pics over the next few games. He deserves some season ending accolades. He wasn't even on the Jim Thorpe Award watch list at the start of the season. I would love to see him at least get mentioned as the season ends.

The dawgs were dominant way back when, but they never won 12 straight, something we should always remember, and never let them forget! I would actually love to see Oregon substitute in TE Terrell Tilmon, #12, and throw him our 12th touchdown this Saturday. Hang 84 points on the dawgs would have a nice ring to it.

Deboer is a winner, no question about that. His record speaks for itself. The problem is the dawg program is a loser when it come to playing the Ducks. Deboer will learn his first lesson on that fact this weekend. Oh wait, he already learned about losing at Autzen when we had MariØ and he was the coach at Fresno, never mind. No wonder they hired him, he already knows how it works.

I'll take a prevent defense any day, as long I never see a prevent offense ever again! I use to think the prevent defense was such a bad thing. CristabØ cured me of that perspective.

I think the coaches are also giving a player like Kilohana a chance to show what they can do and to maybe better position themselves in the transfer portal. A player like Kilohana could also just stay a special teams player. He must be showing some heart in practice and deserves the touches, these opportunities are earned. I would also say the coaches know they are putting players in a tough situation with the 2's, but who is going to rise up to the challenge? Ski racing has the similar situation, new racers start in the back of the pack. The course is terrible, but if you truly have it, you will keep rising up until you ski a clean course. Some say it isn't fair, and they quit. These players are fighting to play first team minutes, and the garbage time is a test. That is what is so troubling about Ty, he seems to be waiting for his shot at 1st team playing time. That may not happen based on how he is attacking, or not attacking the garbage time. Every moment is a test, life isn't a rehearsal! Like it or not, everything we do is judged and provides a basis for future decisions. It always blows me away when I hear the yeah but excuses. I was a 5* just waiting for my turn, there isn't any waiting around for a turn in a competitive situation.

A week, the hate runs from dawn to dusk, sometimes I awake at night pissed off at the dawgs, 24/7 365! I have to admit, it started when I was very young!

Lanning is the unquestioned leader of this team. Dillingham plays a critical role, but so does Klemm, Locklyn, and Adams. One could also say Mehringer, and Love along with Beckham have also done wonders with the players. What has been truly astounding is Lanning, out of the gate, hasn't had one coach underperform. A guy who has never been a head coach, who is extremely young, is a Maestro with a headset. I suppose the only question is can he be an even better head coach, stay tuned. As far as Dillingham there will be coaches calling from all points to take his job. On that note there will be players calling from all points wanting to do what Bo did next year. How many DJU's, and Van Dykes out there just waiting to get unshackled from their programs like Bo did? I don't think it was dumb luck Lanning brought in Dillingham and we are seeing the success we are seeing. Lanning knows what it takes, and will keep it going. My favorite quote from Lanning is his 'so what, now what,' after mistakes. This is an amazing quote as it shows faith in the players, and his continued aggressive mindset in 4 words. That is exactly what he will say when coaches, and players leave too.

Well done,

I like the idea of SDSU and, if possible, making the spoiled children leave the conference as quickly as possible. Is there anyway to make the trojans departure faster than scheduled? They don't want to be in the Pac and we don't want them! I have no problem playing them at the end of the season or in a bowl game, but let them start their nationwide traveling road show next season. Also Canzano has become one of my favored writers. I gave him credit for shining the light on the failures of Lavish Larry, but his writing wasn't my favorite until he left was is left of the Oregonian. Kudos to Mr. Canzano, keep it up!

Great analysis, but until the dawgs can win a competitive game away from their kennel Autzen will be enough of a factor to send the dawgs back north with their collective tails between their legs. I also think Dan Lanning knows how important this game and the game against the rodents is to the Oregon Program. He will begin to record his record against the two most hated rivals. I think Dan will be up to the task.

Last year they backed out of the Tony the Tiger Bowl game against WSU. Their record over the last 11 bowl games, 1-10, probably best they didn't play. I doubt there is another program which lives so steadfastly in their past glory. Like the guy who still has that Camaro from his high school days, and is sure it is still the best car out there. 'You might want to change out those drum brakes with disc brakes,' 'no these were and are the best!' They weren't too happy with last years 7-5 record, Manny wasn't the problem. Manny is actually doing pretty well at PSU. They keep trying to bring back the past, instead of moving toward the future, oh well, it's only money.

Lets look on the bright side, the hurricanes are undefeated in Virginia this year, 2-0 actually, well done! Maybe they can get that new stadium built in Virginia? Hurricanes are 2-4 at their home turf, A Rock and a Hard Place Stadium.

A Rose Bowl win would be a pretty amazing season. I am not sure this team is ready for the playoffs, but, if we make it, I would be proud of this team and you never know. I mean I have my lottery ticket, but haven't spent it yet, but I am always thinking....

The next three games are going to be tough, but only one will be on the road, against the rodents. Utah, and the dawgs have to come to Autzen and that will be an added layer of difficulty. I would say Georgia better keep their head in the game. They have two tough road games ahead. Oregon has two home games. My bet is Georgia struggles more than Oregon. I will agree none of the next three games will be gimmes. The best scenario may be to have another tight game to sharpen the coaches and players for the probable 4th game.

Hard to know how he would act as the starter, but the act he puts on as a back-up won't get it done. I suppose we must have faith Dan is developing Ty in practice, and that is where Ty shines. It does seem like the only time a back-up really shines is when they come in and lead a team from behind. You then have a qb controversy, and thankfully we have none of that. Back-up qb's kind of just come in and manage the end of the game. One good thing is Ty and Butters are definitely seeing how a qb runs an offense. Last year, kudos to AB, but that wasn't an offense, just offensive.

I suppose this begs the question what would be the ideal job Lanning may want to take? Right now that is Oregon, and all we can do is make sure it stays that way. We can stay his preferred coaching choice by being able to compete for a National Title. We have already proven that we can, but we can't bungle the conference realignment decision. I would also say a continuation of Larry type decisions by the Pac could also send Lanning packing. He wants to compete at the highest level and incompetence at the top may nudge him in the wrong direction. The other way we can keep Coach Lanning is continue to provide unparalleled coaching support. The indoor training center can't be a lot of hot air like the stadium on campus talked about for our ex coach in south beach. I have no doubt our facility will be completed by 2024 as planned. Most importantly Coach Lanning needs to have the support staff where he can feel like he has personal time. I would hope the Halloween party the team celebrated was an idea of Lanning, but he just left it to his trusted support staff. There was no micromanagement needed, that type of trust in support staff is critical. As long as Dan Lanning can compete at the highest level and have some semblance of a life he will be our coach. By the way, if we continue to create that atmosphere there will be another awesome coach just begging to take the job, like last time. If I was a coach I would treasure the knowledge I have everything I need at Oregon. I would also be conscious of the outcomes of the coaches who listened to the siren calls and left. Keep your head down Dan, and don't get distracted!

We can agree to disagree on that one. He managed that poorly. Maybe we can agree his assistant Scott Frost managed this poorly. Maybe Scott Frost was the guy who we can blame for the shift away from Helfrich's prowess as a qb guy.

Another indicator of how he wasn't a great recruiter as head coach. He didn't manage the recruiting of Tua too well. Remember the Ryan Kelly fiasco, while the old Nebraska head coach was our OC, Helfrich head coach. He took over a Ferrari and forgot to keep it filled up. There was plenty of talent just waiting to keep the engine going. I think David's point about the move by Helfrich to head coach, and losing the connection to the qb position has a lot of validity to it. Helfrich was a very good position coach, just didn't have what it took to be a head coach, or sustain it. How far did Helfrich have to go to sign Herbert, and how long did it take? Herbert wanted to be a Duck, his dream school, basically right across the street, every connection you could ask for and he was an afterthought. Another one of those Helrich, Frost mismanaged situations at qb. I can give Helfrich some credit, but let's not put him on a pedestal. I would bet if he wasn't the head coach, Alliotti was, Helfrich signs Herbert, and he wins the Heisman. As head coach, he didn't have it.

I think the problems at Cal aren't the X's and O's, it's the Jimmy's and Joe's. I suppose if there is a coach who can help shore up a talent deficit it is Greatwood. One does have to wonder why a coach would want to continue with the grind of college football after making lots of money and dealing with all the difficulties for decades. I suppose the analyst position might be the sweet spot for a coach who wants to stay part of football. Looked through his twitter feed, maybe after vacations, and burning man he got an itch to be with the guys again? I could see a wife giving the ok for a month of coaching, and away from all day football on the TV on the weekends.

They have gotten even more high profile because there is immediate eligibility. Justin Fields is an interesting story on that one. Losing transfers when you have to sit out a year back in Helf's time made it more of a head scratcher. Maybe Marcus was just a qb destroyer, Johnny football left before he even signed, didn't want to compete. I'll agree to disagree on my point. I still think a head coach either thrives or dies by how they recruit, and develop, and use qb's. Helfrich died because he couldn't recruit and develop qb's. Maybe that is why they all left? MariØ will die as a head coach because he can't develop, or scheme for a qb. He can recruit them, he can even keep them as back-ups unlike Helfrich. He just doesn't know how to use them. Also Helfrich recruited Marcus, Vernon was a transfer, no development, and Justin was an afterthought, almost didn't get a scholarship. If merely recruiting is the bar then MariØ wins the contest, if that is the bar you are setting.