Washington Waddler

Dante balanced his Indiana and Texas Tech issues with his performances at Penn State and Iowa. If there’s one thing that may bring him back for another year is to grow out of his inconsistency issue.

If it wasn’t for the unfolding quarter final pattern of 1st round byes losing to 1st round winners (4 out of 4 in 2024, 3 out of 4 in 2025), I’d tend to agree. That basketball doesn’t allow higher ranked byes not only levels the playing field, but makes upsets feel genuine. Football’s CFP quarter final “upsets” not only now appear as a disadvantage for the higher ranked bye team, but are beginning to taint otherwise great wins for the lower ranked 1st round winners. To get all teams involved in the 1st round, the answer seems to be to either to shrink the format back to eight teams, or (sigh) expand it to sixteen. Either way allows for seeded 1st round games without the odd number outcome of a 12 team format. However this issue eventually resolves, it’s getting harder to ignore how the “one and done” intensity of CFP games seems to give the advantage to the team that is allowed to better sustain its game ready fitness and attitude.

No issue with the defense’s attack mentality. It’s knowing when and when not to adjust that approach on offense that troubles me.

At times, not sure what our offensive brain trust was thinking. Against a defense of the caliber of Texas Tech, a go for it, taking the bit between your teeth mentality is just not smart football. In big time games; breath, and take what the situation offers.

The vision challenged ESPN talking heads say Oregon uni’s have no green or yellow in them. They not looking at the numerals?

The vision challenged ESPN talking heads say Oregon uni’s have no green or yellow in them. They not looking at the numerals?

How about them grey pants?

I tend to agree that long drives against TT could rely on establishing a consistent, early down run game that make Dante’s 3rd or 4th down passes shorter, and inside the 1.5 second window.

This either makes the case for Lanning’s suggestion of the higher seed’s stadium being the site; or, as others have suggested, a neutral site more equidistant between the two schools.

As always, hard to bear in mind that the primary uniform audience is recruits, not me. School colors do get their days, but white, black and grey tend to rule. Just look at what is worn on most any high school campus?

I’m not that guy, but I never underestimate the ‘chip on the shoulder’ motivation created for our LB room by being ignored by experts and media as they shine the spotlight on those well-deserving TT LBs.

Just speculation, but some good reasons to hope it’s true. As you mentioned, he’s already proven to himself that being patient pays dividends, and another year of strength training and weight room work would really help to get his body ready for the likely pounding he’d take as a 1st round draft pick. Like Bear Alexander points out, there’s no development at the second level.

After 63 years of life out west (born in San Luis Obispo, 40 year coaching career in either Utah or Idaho), he might find it a challenge to navigate the dense political sports culture and its expectations that saturates Ann Arbor. If he has the patience and willingness to accommodate their absurd and unrealistic pipe dreams, they’ll have themselves a winner.

On the other hand, there were the 2010 grey uni’s in Corvallis to seal the perfect season and trip to the BCS championship.

A Merry Christmas to all

It use to be the moms we’re all saying, I want you to stay close to home. Now it seems some are saying, follow the $$.

It makes me laugh when I see those ‘letter-turned-into-number’ comments. They’re usually made by beaten, frustrated fans who - if they stopped to consider what they are saying - would make them less than zero?

I try not to get ahead of myself. What’s already happened speaks for itself. What’s yet to happen just creates anxiety if it gets me into expectations. I prefer goals. However, when it comes to what makes for a successful season, I can’t really separate the two without feeling like I’m not looking at the bigger picture. So, my definition of a successful season is seeing the team carry on into the playoffs what they built during the regular season. No one can know how the unexpected will affect a game, but - win or lose - if the Ducks are playing their game, it’s a success. Of course, that has nothing to do with desire. I want to see them beat the crap out of everyone.

Imagine red zone passing downs with Gatlin Bair heading for one corner of the end zone and Kendre Harrison the other.

Trent Kirsten looks to have all the tools to become a top drawer P2 head coach. Good strategic coaching, excellent recruiter, scouts his opposition well, and knows how to motivate after suffering a loss. Question remains as to whether Eugene is a destination or a stepping stone for him.

Give that video the Grateful Duck trophy.

And full of bears?

In regards to Husky whining and complaints about NIL/portal funding of Oregon football, the Seattle sports scene reminds me of LA, or any other mega city where the victory hungry spot light siphons off support and interest to whoever is doing better. Case in point: at Husky Stadium, I saw numerous purple puppy farm fans wearing Mariner and Seahawks hats or jerseys, and in some cases, both. As in LA, the $$ is there. It just has no loyalty.

Totally agree. Love the flipping of assumed roles each team is expected to play, all delivered with a condescending, kind-hearted tone worthy of Nick Saban talking about his next opponent. However, even in slow-motion, the Ducks still bear a resemblance to what Jesse Owen’s once said about himself: “I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible.”

Iron sharpens iron. Rather than improving the SEC’s top tier teams chances for success, avoidance often diminishes the over all ability to meet challenges.