Desert Duck

So... I have no issues with a stud athlete after a heartbreak loss --- or when they suddenly wake up and realize that their team pretty much sucks and is very likely destined for the infamous "Weed Eater Poulan Bowl," breaking down in tears. I get it, although I'd kind of prefer if they saved it for the locker room. And I was relieved to hear that Caleb's dog did not travel with the team. In 6th grade, I even remember some of us crying with our parent(s) on the sideline after a tough loss. But for me, and I'm just speaking for myself here, to have a 20 year old dude jump into his mommy's arms in the stands and have a breakdown kind of moment on national tv, is a bit over-the-top, and causes me to at least question his ability to control his emotions during a critical game time moment. And while it may never be an issue for him, if I am an NFL GM, it would still give me cause for pause.

I'm with you on the 3 yard wide receiver screen play. I pucker up every time I see one coming.

I think that's my favorite part.

It might have been more efficient if Riley had just fired himself.

Wow... I had not even thought about that. Wouldn't that have been a tragedy if we were under the old, and stupid, Larry Scott system.

In the new FBS, anything is possible... so why not.

You're right as a lot of Oregon fans wanted Wilcox. I'm so thankful that he didn't want the job.

No offense at all intended, I'm curious as to what 'step up' you would like to see from Bo? Given that he is completing 78% of his passes, has 25 passing TDs, 5 rushing TDs, only 2 INTs on the season, and at QB rating of 180.1 --- which is higher than Penix (174.6) & Williams (175.9). Plus his team leadership skills are clearly amazing.

You called that one. I just saw the press release that Riley fired him. So that will be interesting to see how the Trojans respond.

There's a lot of wisdom in your approach. I like it! It was a bizarre game. I had a prior commitment and was only able to watch the second half live. I glanced at the score with 5 minutes to go in the second and we are only up 21-13. By the time I got in front of the TV for the start of the second half, we were somehow up 35 to 13. Then to start the second half, I'm there just in time to watch Cal march 75 yards for a touchdown through our defense that momentarily look like Swiss cheese. And then apparently our Ducks said, "that's enough of that," and went on to dismantle Cal by 44 (against a line that was 24). And the blowout was with Bo only playing slightly more than three quarters. It was great to see Thompson get some really decent quality minutes out there. Not to mention, our Defense was actually nails again giving up only 12 points.

Sorry as this is an ESPN pay article, and I don't pay for ESPN articles. However, I was just glad to see ESPN ask the question in a headline Sunday article, as we were pretty much ignored by ESPN yesterday (not that this surprises anyone around here). Obviously, we all now know that even with 1 loss, that the Ducks are a Top-4 team right now. And if our boys continue doing what they have since they shifted, at times, into 5th gear a few weeks ago (against Utah, they definitely spent most of the day in 5th gear), we will absolutely end up in the playoffs. Now mind you, regarding what I am about to say, I am definitely open to the fact that for the first time in about a decade, that I may have possibly dipped my duck-fan-chalice into the proverbial Kool-Aid. However, and this may be the Kool-Aid part talking: I believe these Ducks just might have an untouched 6th gear that is sitting out there on the lower right side of their gear box, waiting for them... if they want it bad enough. But the really amazing part for me is that I think that the Duck 5th gear alone is more than enough to win the National Championship. Okay... now fellow Duck friends, please talk me down if you think I've need to lay off the Kool-Aid sauce and seek professional help. And I thank you. 😉😅 NCAA on ESPN - College Football Scores, Stats and Highlights WWW.ESPN.COM Visit ESPN for NCAA live scores, video highlights and latest news. Stream exclusive college football games on ESPN+ and play College Pick'em.

Wow... just wow. And the numbers Nix put up in basically just 3 quarters of play is extremely impressive.

So great that Thompson got to play most of the 4th quarter. And that Bo still put up huge number in just 3 quarters.

Thompson just looked like a beast QB on that drive. 3/3 40 yards. Very impressive.

But I'm in a cranky mood.

Wow... so glad I just tuned in for the second half. Our defense looked like Swiss cheese on that series. I hope the Oregon coaches know that points do matter.

Need/want: - KSU over Texas - LSU over Bama - Mutts over Trojans - A miracle Pitt over FSU

I'm afraid I'm letting my emotions get the best of me this week as I've predicted Oregon 44-14. I'm afraid the fan "fanatic" might now be getting the best of me.

Or Arizona State in Tempe.

Ducks 44-14 4 4 284

Our Ducks are right where we should be right now. FSU is a pretender. Unfortunately, with their soft schedule and some very underwhelming wins, they may likely just slide through unscathed and into the playoff, which, IMHO, would be a shame. Michigan has mopped the floor against their opponents, but so far against a bunch of Sisters of the Poor. However, we'll know if they belong there over the next 4 weeks after they play @ PSU and tOSU. The one team in the top 10 that I think has a strong beef to make is Oklahoma. I just don't remotely see how they should be ranked behind Texas and Alabama.

I'm so sorry you weren't able to get there. But glad that you've got a couple great souvenirs. And I'm curious why/how your friends got stuck there.

If the rankings were actually based on where the team is today, then Oregon should be ranked ahead of the Mutts. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen. But it would sure be fun if you were right. But go LSU, OK St, and K State!

You make a fabulous point. This one play truly epitomizes MVP. From the field, a college kid outcoached and out-executed a highly experienced, great, defensive coordinator – on one single play, while converting it for a TD. And every player on Bo’s side of the ball trusted him and was 100% in sync with him. That is simply exceptional leadership. If the Heisman is truly awarded to the one player who has the greatest “team” impact, they might as well give it to Bo right now.

I hear you, but as an old guy, whose first game was almost back when dinosaurs were still roaming around the then gravel-pit-like lakes at Autzen, with thousands of pterodactyls-like-seagulls that semi-owned the air space around the stadium, and my first game at Autzen was Oregon 0 – UW 58, every one of these major-league recruits we now get still kind of amazes me. We were just so painfully bad for so long. Clearly, it’s obvious that I still have not entirely shed the Fan-PTSD from those almost ground-hog-day-like years (when successfully begging our way into the Independence Bowl almost seemed like winning the Rose Bowl). But I am working on it. I’m hopeful that another decade or so of fan recovery therapy will do the trick.