The Kamikaze Kid

If super conferences (20+ schools) are on the horizon, then the Pac, B12 and MW should just reconfigure themselves into two 20ish school conferences. The Pac 10 + B12 Texas schools TT, Baylor, TCU, Houston and BYU + MW schools SD St, SJ St, Fresno St and UNLV + SMU or UTSA would make a solid multi time zone conference with nearly every major media market west of the Mississippi. The B12 could have the remaining MW and add others as they see fit. I think the B10 and SEC will gobble up the Prime ACC schools and the remaining ACC schools probably join up with the AAC or something like that. Seems like some sort of epic seismic shift is on the horizon. If ESPN and Fox see it to their advantage, I could see them altering media agreements to accommodate it. Personally, 20+ schools per conference seems too big to me but I'm probably too old school for these newfangled times.

At this point, I'd just like somebody to get the Pac presidents on record as to what their goal even is. If the true goal is to maintain their self image as the Ivy league of the west, then it would save us all the trouble of hoping for a positive outcome by sticking together.At that point "Conference of Champions" will simply mean gymnastics, la cross and tennis trophies. If they actually want big three sports relevance and the revenue that comes with it, then they should be pursuing expansion ASAP without looking down on any school that could help them achieve those goals. I see a glaring fork in this road. Lip service to achieving both goals will just end up find them achieving neither. I believe this is why GK is in an impossible negotiating position and no new news has developed in months.

100% Jon. The Pac's biggest problem begins and ends with this statement which is why I see no positive outcomes on the horizon. To me the answer would be bring in SD St and UNLV now. Get whatever deal you can now and go after the B12 Texas schools for the next contract cycle, Locking up SoCal, the southwest and Texas would give you as solid of media rights footing you could ask for and could be achievable. But just knowing that these schools don't have that Ivy league vibe kills this direction before it even starts.

Another factor that should get more plays for the offense is more three and outs by a much improved defense. I can't believe how much I've dreaded third and twelve the last couple of years. I'm so hoping that quickly becomes a thing of the past

The Ducks would still be in the PAC so scheduling wouldn’t be effected. I’m positive the B12 would take the Ducks at a 100% rate plus extra in a heartbeat. They could wait out a B10 invite there without dividing up a crumb equally with Cal, WSU and the rest. I don’t see any leverage the PAC would have to say no to this plan.

At this point, it wouldn't surprise me if the Ducks don't just sign their own separate deal and just stay in the Pac. It's become obvious that the market can no longer accommodate bloated conference contracts. It's also evident that the Ducks are the only Pac school with any true marketability across the country. A sinking Pac would be in no position to object and the UO could get a much better deal for itself. If ESPN has 90M for the entire Pac, I could see them just making a deal with UO for half that and letting the other schools fight over the rest. Cal vs WSU is not moving the needle on the east coast but Cal vs UO still would. The Pac is a sinking ship and UO is the only life boat. They should start acting like it.

Great take Hayward. I'd add that for UO it's like being a five star in the portal but as a package deal with his three 1 star brothers.

Spot on Charles. I don't think this subject gets near enough attention. If the Pac were the Titanic, the presidents would have replaced Captain Scott only after the water was passed the third deck. Even now with the water up to the life boats, they seem to still be up on the roof clinking glasses with each other marveling at the beautiful star lit sky. Even at this time, I don't think they understand the gravity of the situation.

I wish he had fuskies and SUC tied for preseason #1. It would just make the inevitable face plant back to reality even more enjoyable.

Yes. I should have clarified my steps. Short term, sign whatever deal you can and bring in SD St and UNLV now. THEN talk with B12 Texas schools about joining the Pac after both media deals expire. As Charles mentioned, it would be in the Pac's best interest to keep UO happy with enough payout that they don't seek out a better pond to swim in elsewhere.

I like your domino theory. Here's mine. First, we have to pretend that the Pac presidents want to prioritize athletic viability rather than academic superiority. Step 01. Pac signs whatever short term deal they can get. Being front runners in streaming may payoff big down the road. Step 02. Pac bring in SD St and UNLV doing their best to fill the void left by USC and UCLA leaving. Step 03. Bring in Texas schools from B12 (TCU, Baylor, TT and Houston) Step 04. Sign much better media deal closer to B10 and SEC territory. If Utah and Colorado leave for B12, bring in Fresno St and maybe even San Jose St for an even tighter hold on California. This new conference would then dominate the pacific NW, and Bay Area, be competitive in SoCal, own the SW and share Texas with the SEC. The new and improved Pac would be a solid third place conference with many competitive teams in the big three sports and stretch across three time zones in great markets further improving media exposure. Of course this would only happen if athletic relevance was a priority of the Pac presidents. Unfortunately, they seem content to think of themselves as the Ivy league of the west coast. This is why ultimately the UO should pursue joining the B10.

Before UO's revamped D lays smack down on fuskies in Seattle: Lanning is in over his head. After UO's revamped D lays smack down on fuskies in Seattle: Of course Uncle Phil just goes out and buys Georgia's D coordinator. Before UO's revamped D lays smack down on fuskies in Seattle: Duck recruits are over rated by a rigged system. After UO's revamped D lays smack down on fuskies in Seattle: Of course Uncle Phil just goes out and buys better players.

PS. I just want to give a huge thank you to FishDuck for posting some great Duck football articles. Sometimes I need a reminder about why I'm still a fan.

At this point, I'd say whatever brings resolution to this topic is fine with me. The Pac expands, the Pac dissolves, the Ducks move here, the Ducks move there. The Pac gets a gagillion dollar deal by going to the QVC shopping channel. Just make it stop already.

I actually had forgotten about gambling issues with the game. I wonder how the portal revolving door will foster the mercenary mind set and expand this issue. On second thought, I'd rather just go back to blissful ignorance.

I actually kind of feel sorry for the guy. With his family tree, he has he has a lot of expectations to live up to. It seems like he has next level skills but maybe not the physical capabilities namely speed. Maybe he should pursue a coaching carrier after his playing days are over to maximize his understanding of skill development.

The Spring Game was very encouraging. First, everyone seemed to be in good position at all positions. Next, receivers were tightly covered. Finally, ball carriers went down at the point of contact. Very impressive with the amount of player turn over with only fourteen practices under their belts. It looks like the D is all ready handling the basics. Give them more time in the summer and they should be ready to handle some of Lanning's havoc inducing schemes.

I think it would be interesting if offenses developed special QB2 packages to bust out randomly in the game. Much like last years J14 bulldozer sets. The other team would have to prepare for two different types of offenses. Just when the D starts getting settled in against your pass happy system with a standard run game, here comes your hell on wheels speedster QB with planned runs off passing formations and classic option plays. Not to be confused with those horrible QB 1A QB 1B systems that never work. Just a different look once in awhile that shakes thing up and keeps the D on their toes. This could also help retain QB2s looking for playing time. Just a thought.

In his mind, absolutely! In reality, meh.

In theory, sure ASU looks like a trap game on paper but does anybody really think they'll be looking passed a reunion with their former coach? Also, UO still runs a very similar scheme as Dilly so the D will be coming in already prepared for an offense they see every day..UO 45 ASU 24. Book it!

Maybe the most impressive thing about Lanning is how aware of the mind set of the modern elite athlete he is. Last recruiting class he lost a couple 5 stars at the last minute in bizarre ways and was a finalist with several others. This year he has even more interest from several top recruits. At first, I saw his youth as a possible liability but now it seems like a real asset. The dude just gets it which is far easier said than done.

This could be the most complete Duck team we've had since the Kelly/ Aliotti era The 2014 Helfrich/ Pullman team was already showing warning signs on D. Their C game wins against half the schedule.Their B game should get it done against TT, UCLA and OSU and their A game should beat UU, UW and USC. Games rarely go like clockwork as we saw last year but Lanning seems to have really focused on overhauling the troubling D into the type of unit he envisions. I think this will be the year we see what kind of game day coach he really is. Nearly half the schedule could or should be ranked when they play them. Plenty of opportunities to both rise to the occasion or fall flat on their beaks. I'm thinking they get it done and are in the playoff discussion as well as the Pac championship game.

I always prefer being ranked too low than too high preseason. I also enjoy SUC and fuskies being ranked too high than too low.

Where there's smoke, there's a smoke machine.

Love the hoops take Hayward. I'll add my two cents in that direction. TT seems like the best kid on his 6th grade basketball team. He's got the size and skills that the other sixth graders can't deal with. The problem is that today he's playing at the park with his older brother's friends. Now his size and skills are no longer over powering and he just doesn't know how to respond. After getting a few shots blocked he simply shuts down and hopes to blend in no longer feeling dominant. From what I saw of Butters last year and Novosad this year, they seem like younger brothers just excited to be out on the court with the older guys. By playing their best and embracing the learning experience, they look willing to take their lumps as a part of he learning curve that's required for getting better. The kid's a Duck and I'm rooting for him to succeed. I'd still like to see them add a player that looks like they belong out on the court right now.