DCDuckfan

It is interesting how different the perspective folks have of Chip with recruiting and his relationship with local media/fans. I don't live in Eugene so I'm not as in-tune to how he was perceived locally, but from afar, I always thought Chip seemed like he connected with the local fanbase and embraced it. When I would watch the spring games, it seemed like he was always grateful for the fan support and made an it emphasis for the team to connect with the fans that showed up. Maybe it wasn't him personally connecting with fans, but he seemed to encourage the fans and the team to have a connection. Besides his X's and O's incompetence, that was one of the things with the current miami coach that I didn't like. He almost had contempt for the Duck fanbase...like he saw fans as groupies who's only purpose was to stroke the ego of the players when he deemed appropriate...otherwise the fans were a nuisance to the football program. As far as recruiting with Chip, I think this was his only shortcoming as a coach from my perspective. Apparently he realized this as well since he hired "recruiting services" to do it for him, which turns out wasn't technically legal per NCAA rules lol. That said, I think he amassed some impressive talent in Eugene for the time he was here.

I'm glad USC is making moves....I'm a firm believer that competition is always a good thing. By USC getting back to what they historically have been, it will make Oregon compete in every aspect of their football program and they will be better for it. Yes, this could lead to some disappointing losses in PAC-12 Championship games which will result in lost chances to play for natty's, but I believe that it will result in the PAC-12 getting teams in most years going forward and with that, Oregon will be that team to represent the PAC in some of these years. And when they do get there, they will be better tested and more ready to compete against the other teams in the playoffs.

I agree 100% about how the Ducks looked in the second half of the Alamo Bowl and I like most of your picks. I would change UCLA to a win and I think the toss up games will be BYU and WSU. I don't think Stanford, Arizona, Cal, Colorado, Washington and EWU will be competitive games beyond half-time. Georgia, BYU and WSU I think will all be decided in the fourth quarter and the Ducks will be in position to win all of them....not that they will, I just think they will have an opportunity. UCLA and Oregon St I think are comfortable wins but not blow-outs.

You can see his excitement and appreciation for this opportunity in the video. Such a welcome change from the previous guy that had an incredible ability to show zero passion or emotion except after the game at Ohio St. I'll be happy if I never hear another press conference begin with "Obviously we are pleased with..." after a win or "Obviously we are disappointed with...." after a loss. It always felt like the old coach had 2 scripts, one for winning and one for losing and never really bought into being a Duck.

I'm probably overly optimistic of the gains the defense is going to make , but I think the points allowed in some of these games is too high. I think it may be hard for BYU to put up 24, Arizona/28, UCLA/20, and Utah/27. I'm even skeptical of UGA getting 24 since they will be breaking in a new QB and the Duck defense couldn't be more prepared for that game from a coaching intel perspective. WSU is always a tricky team to stop so that score makes sense and OSU being a rivalry along with the fact JS is a heckuva coach so I won't be surprised if they push Oregon as well. I'm going to guess the defense gives up under 17 ppg next year. and holds 3 teams (Stanford, Colorado and Cal) to touchdown or less. I think the Ducks go 2-1 in the out of conference games and probably drop one game in conference because it seems to always happen, but the Ducks will win the conference.

I think Oregon is not far off from UGA as far as athletes on the defensive side of the ball with the exception of the D-Line (UGAs is undoubtedly superior there). That said, I think the Ducks secondary was probably better player for player than UGAs this year so it'll be interesting seeing how effective and disruptive DL's aggressive blitzing defense is. I think the first couple of years it will take the PAC by storm because it will be so different and unfamiliar compared to what has been played in the conference for years.

I can't wait to watch this style of defense bludgeon teams for years to come in the Pac-12!

If I could pick, I would go with a 12 team playoff. Top 4 seeds get a bye week while 5-12 play a home game at the higher seeded teams venue. Then home games for seeds 1-4 against the winners of the 5-12 games. After that, bowls like the current setup.

Georgia wins 27-21, Bama rushes for 67, Bama passes for 305, Georgia D causes 2 turnovers and gets 4 sacks.

I'm not sure I follow. The Chargers had a possession and tied it. After that, it's sudden death until the clock runs out, at which point it is a tie. The Chargers are out of the playoffs because they gave up a 12 yard run when the Raiders were content to let the game end in a tie.

Yep, seems like the theme of Herbert's football career....coaches that waste his talent. At least in the NFL it isn't because the offensive game plan is designed for the sole purpose of displaying the O-line's "physicality."

I agree with the intent stated here but what's going to be challenging is that the schools have nothing to do with the money being paid to the players. The article talks about the LLCs being created and funded by the boosters...so essentially they are corporations completely independent of the university that have been created by boosters for the sole purpose of funneling money to players. Between this and the transfer portal, this is the end of college football as we know it if the powers that be don't figure out a way to manage this and maintain the integrity of the sport.

Pass on that. I wouldn't want that if I were a player. If I've chosen to play a sport that has a higher demand physically, inherently has more risk, more competition, and requires more effort based on it's revenue generating potential, I rightfully would expect to be compensated based and the revenue I help generate. I would expect other athletes to be compensated based on those same factors. That said, I think this has quickly gotten out of hand and if left unchecked, will ruin college sports within the next 3 years.

Utah lost to Oregon St because they had to defend the whole field. Against Oregon, they just put 9 defenders within 10 yards of the LOS because they knew Oregon wouldn't throw the ball downfield and they knew the miami coach would not make any adjustments because his ego prevents it.

I think losing Flowe was tragic and in my opinion, more costly than CJ. That said, I don't see any difference in wins/losses with either of them being available because it was play calling and QB play that caused every loss this season and cost this team getting in the playoffs...which is truly a testament to how deep this team was.

I don't think it saves the conference but it's good for Utah and I'll be happy for them and their fans. The Pac-12 is a joke at this point as a football conference. Thankfully USC is going to be good again in 2 years and I expect Oregon will be in the playoffs in 2 years unless things go better than expected next year and they get in a year ahead of schedule.

They were more competitive than Georgia was just a few weeks ago so I'd say yes.

Nah, our new coaches were affiliated with him years ago. Has there been any indication that he has been like this elsewhere prior to this? It could just be a toxic situation at UH that is making him crack and lose his ability to be professional. As someone else stated, has there been any allegation of similar issues with coaches getting hired on DL's staff? If not, I think it's probably a unique situation based on circumstances within the UH program or possibly his personal life bubbling over into his work.

Hey Charles, as an aside and not meant in a disrespectful way at all....can we stop with the MC articles now that the season is over and he is officially an element of history. I say this because the top article is and the associated picture is of the Miami head coach versus articles and associated pictures regarding the very bright future heading our way under DL. Thanks...again, no disrespect intended...just asking if we can move on.

That's a really good point I hadn't considered. I was concerned about the AB 2.0 situation someone mentioned earlier but I think you may be on to something...

I commented on the game thread last night when they showed the coaches smiling and joking, that one of the coaches even was holding his hands together as thought they were being cuffed or uncuffed. I had a strong feeling they were celebrating having the cuffs (MC) no longer holding them back. MC leaving probably saved this program a significant setback over the next couple years. Have fun with what's coming your way Miami.

Anybody that's still upset about MC leaving is crazy. We had 4 receivers quit the team because of him in the last month of the season. He was on the verge of turning Oregon into a dumpster fire because it was going to be a mass exodus of offensive talent that had already begun.

Moorehead was just joking in the press box with another coach and they were laughing as the other coach played as though he was wearing handcuffs. I'm guessing that conversation was about MC had the offense handcuffed and even though they're getting stomped, at least Moorehead can call a game with some creativity and downfield throws.

He's playing but his heart isn't in it. He's getting owned by OU blockers and can't get off and make tackles. That's not the Sewell we have seen all year...I just don't think he's in the game mentally because why bother with this QB.

None but dreaming Oregon plays a QB in the second half cuz AB isn't one. Honestly at this point, I hope I never see AB play another down of football. Probably a great human being, but just not a D-1 college QB.