Ktmguy2018

Wow. Just wow!

As I write this, Colorado players are walking off the field on the Palouse with a 56-14 loss hanging around their necks. Waiting in the wings of tomorrow is a matchup of USC vs UCLA. Colorado will not be invited a bowl game this year after dropping to 4-7 on the season. USC will be invited to a bowl game, just not one that has anything to do with a meaningful ending to a season. Both of these teams started the season on absolute rockets of hype, media praise, and cockiness. Many of us who have watched college football for some time were able to see cracks and weaknesses that could only be covered for so long before they affected the integrity of the foundation. USC peaked at #5 in the AP poll in week #5. Colorado peaked at #18 in week 4. Both programs displayed flash, moments of jaw-dropping play, and electric attitudes. There were other teams in the conference getting love from the media as well, UW, UO, WSU, OSU. But their early season success was overshadowed by the glitz and glam of the other two programs. Until.... Until the lack of substance, depth, and coaching began to cascade down on top of the flash and electricity. I came across this quote a few weeks ago that has been simmering in my mind for a while; "Underneath the glitz and glamour, however, lies a troubling reality: the absence of meaningful work. The showmanship culture often masks a lack of substantial achievements or tangible results. It fosters an environment where style triumphs over substance, and the focus shifts from genuine progress to mere appearances". - Aditya Kumar Singh, www.medium.com The interesting thing is that Singh was not remotely referring to football, but to the tech and research industry. The correlation to me was astounding. This forum knows all to well the madness of the Trojan fans who were crowning USC as Pac-12 champions and CFP contenders before a down was even played. The narrative was that the season was a foregone conclusion and every other team was playing for second place. Those same fans are calling for Riley to be fired, for USC to "get back to greatness", and for wholesale changes. The problem is, you can't glitz and glam your way to the top. Unfortunately, this showmanship culture has infected every level of college and professional sports. The old school person in me is astounded and incredulous when a player scores a touchdown, prances and flexes while his team is losing by a large number and the touchdown is relatively meaningless. The "showmanship culture masking the tangible results". I can never forget Vince Lombardi's legendary quote; "when you get into the endzone, act like you've been there before". This season, more than any other that I can remember has shown that Dan Lanning and company have built the foundation on the substance OVER the appearance. Words like "physical", "most complete team", "position depth", and "technique discipline" are being used to describe the current Duck group that takes the field. Yes, Oregon still has all the uniform combinations, facilities that are the envy of the sports world, and the reputation of speed. The difference this year is that the foundation of substance is deep, solid, and a philosophy that Dan Lanning is building each day. "Rooted in substance, not flash" - Dan Lanning With that substance, we hit 10-1 today. Go Ducks!

Ducks 42-16 3 turnovers 5 sacks 392 passing

I gotta say that I think officials in all conferences have been attending road work flagging courses because they are flagging everything!!! 😂 Obviously, I am being funny (or trying to). The penalties that I care about are the pre-snap penalties that should NOT happen...way to many false starts in our own stadium in my opinion. Holding and PI, unless blatantly obvious are just a result of play. I've seen some PI calls that was such good coverage that the ref must not have thought it was impossible for the coverage to be so good and I've seen holding calls that were phantom. Multiple holding calls on a single player are a source of concern as well and I hope that the coaching staff is nipping that. Spinning a ball on the turf...well, whatever.

I looked to see if this had been posted yet and did not see it, so apologies if I missed it. I gotta say, these videos make my week and get me so fired up for the next game. The preparation and passion that DL and his staff put forth is astounding. I got goosebumps watching it from the opening because of the phrase he brought out from Top Gun: Maverick. If you've already watched it, watch it again! If you haven't, you are in for a treat! Oregon drops another masterpiece of a cinematic recap after USC game SATURDAYOUTWEST.COM Oregon does not miss with its cinematic recaps. The USC game recap was no exception.

Lincoln Riley will be looking for a quarterback. I have no doubt that if he likes Moore, he will be pushing for him to make the move. I hope Moore has some advisors with game footage of USC's definition of pass protection. Don't forget, Moore is Detroit kid so he would want a school going into the Big.

Two of those coaches made me develop an eye twitch seeing them in Duck colors. I'll let you guess which two.

With all his success at Colorado, it makes sense to hand him the keys to A&M. Maybe Shadeur will stop getting his car booted.

It would have been absolutely show-stopping if they had done something showing USC's championship hopes....

I am not sure why people think that Texas A&M is that great of a gig. Yes, it's in the SEC and a few years back Jimbo brought in a great recruiting class. But aside from that, this program has been a middle of the road program for two decades. They had a Big12 title (when they were still in that conference) back in 1998 and in their first year in the SEC, they were 11-2. The COVID year they were 9-1. But going back to their entry into the Big12 in 1996, aside from the previously mentioned years; this program has been a 9-4, 8-5, 7-6 type of program year in and year out. Yes, they have the OCCASIONAL glory win over a high ranked team but they have not had an measure of noteable success. This link is for reference to their records: Texas A&M Aggies College Football History, Stats, Records | College Football at Sports-Reference.com WWW.SPORTS-REFERENCE.COM Check out the Texas A&M Aggies College Football History, Stats, Records, Polls, Bowls and More College Football Stats at Sports-Reference.com With Oregon moving to the Big next year, I would actually see this as a step backward for DL. He is on the edge of a Pac-12 championship, a CFP berth, and there are more than a few analysts saying Oregon could win it all. THAT is becoming the standard at Oregon. Lanning is a part of something special here and I don't see him making a move to a middle of the road program. Let's not forget that he has been with several programs where the coaches have had success by staying.... I DO think that Oregon/PK should set him up VERY WELL and make sure he is locked in for a very long time.

Just for giggles, I thought I would put this out there. It is SI's preseason piece on the Trojans. Interestingly, it takes about Williams and Riley. Williams plays, Riley coaches. Football is not 1 vs 11. It's 11 vs 11...USC needs another 10. https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/college-football-expert-forecasts-usc-among-top-five-preseason-rankings-before-fall-camp-rks97

I had NO idea!!

Well, they got this fan base:

I look at this from a broader lens and see it as a not only a disrespect to the Beavs, but to Washington, and ENTIRE Pac-12. This is the final year of the Pac-12 as it currently is configured, with a CFP contender (Washington), a potential Pac-12 Championship contender in OSU in the final year. Now, I've not been one to embrace conspiracy theories at every turn but I am dabbling in one here. James Madison??? When a potential berth in the CFP and conference championship is on the line? Does anyone of us think that if this were an SEC/Big10 matchup that Gameday would ignore it? I don't. The writing is on on the wall for one of the media darlings (Alabama, Michigan/Ohio State, Texas, FSU) to be left out of the playoff if the Pac-12 continues to be ranked and relevant. My tinfoil hat is around here somewhere....

What? They don't want Lincoln Riley??

I will take this win...but it could have been much better. Bo was awesome though!

Man.... I hated to see that score.

Aside from the playground plays where Caleb ran all over the place before throwing it, he has looked very average. Reality is that he has NOT faced a defense as good as Oregon. His frustration is showing.

That was NOT PI!!!

Time for a pick six...that would really make me smile.

Buckyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!

4th quarter, my friends!! Close. It. Out!

Evan Williams must need clearance from NASA each game....that guy is a missile!!

Yes!!!!!