EastBayDuckDad

If the Mehringer and Hampton promotion predictions are accurate, then having Tosh and Will stay through the CFP maintains full season coaching continuity and a launch on both sides of the ball for 2026. Call me an optimist, but I like it! It beats the heck out of what is going on at Penn St, LSU, Ole Miss and most programs spinning in the coaching carousel.

Sounds like Mehringer. If DL believes in him and the players buy in, as they appear to have done, then it's time to get on board. James Crepea is reporting Chris Hampton will be the new DC. Works for me as does finding an expanded role for Wadood with the DBacks.

My picks of the ones that may matter: JMU Bluefield St No Tex Tex Tech Dawgs Ole Virginny Bucknutt And here's to a Hurricane, Bama and Gold Dome free playoffs. I'd accept two out of three. A man can dream....

So much for the Oregon-Uncle Phil NIL troll narrative. Sorry to lose him as he would have been a great addition, but the Duck WR room is loaded and with the addition of Lott and Hampton will be just fine.

Heavens! Moore, Stewart (if he returns) and Henry Jr, along with McClellan, Bair and a host of 4* talent in that WR room next year. With Dante slinging the rock. Wow.

Give me Liberty or give me one of those three!

Now that OBD is #5, this projection is muy bueno.

I'm happy here. How about you?

Oregon Offensive Coordinator Search ~ Duck Sports Central https://share.google/YRQDj3sITVbRNQ84Q This is a good read from a guy I haven't seen before. He states that DL and Malchow have likely been anticipating this for months and probably have a short list already. He has some of the same outside candidates as Eric along with a couple intriguing ones. He lays out the coaching pedigree and potential fit of each. And he has a list of who won't be considered, starting with the Chipster, who he succinctly dismisses as not a fit for Oregon.

The early signing period will occur while Oregon is still alive in the playoffs and Stein is invested in his current job. In addition, Oregon's 2026 class is essentially nailed down with very few flip targets to poach. Stein will be more worried about retaining the recruits that Stoops was going to bring to Kentucky. It's like when MariØ bolted to Miami and DL had to start from scratch to retain recruits and find gems (think Bo, Bucky and Gonzo) in the portal. I can't think of one high impact player that followed him to Oregon from Georgia. I could see Novosad and maybe some 3s and a second stringer or two heading east, but for the most part Stein will have to build it himself from the ground up.

Moore, Bryant, Stewart all out, Pancho and Limar questionable. No other word on Harkey and World, but I hear they are probable to play

Oregon 35-17 2 TOs 2 Sacks 235 yds passing

To put a ribbon on the U$C beatdown, this is the sheet that DL waved at the pregame team meeting in Ducks vs Them when he stated that Trojenz lived in the past and that Leinert and Bush weren't playing anymore. Part of the front page of a (not kidding) 105 page book of rosters, past games, media blasts and the unabridged history of the derring-do of the Boys of Troy. Duck Hunting Season indeed....

Steven A, thanks for digging that up. Yes indeed, it was Ken Woody. The rest of that archive sports front page holds this prophetic gem: "Upstart Ohio State Blanks #1 Purdue 13-0"

A Happy Thanksgiving to the OBD Family. As you gather with others tomorrow: Count your blessings and those of your families and friends. Practice forbearance and patience, even with that crazy uncle with the tin foil hat or the aunt that sneaks turkey and stuffing into her purse to take home to her twelve cats. Be kind to the relation that sits on the opposite end of the political spectrum from you (or is a UW fan), and won't shut the **** up about it. Smile, think lofty thoughts and help clear the table and rinse the dishes. Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday, rooted in our humble origins and the need for a common currency of individual rights and laws that protect the diversity of our populace. That currency remains a magnet that draws people to our shores. We are not perfect, nor has our historical execution of liberty been ideal, but the achievable dream of a more perfect union endures. I know this is off topic for Oregon sports and If I have annoyed anyone with my sappy message, I do apologize. Nevertheless: Happy Thanksgiving and best to all tomorrow. Go Ducks and Beat the Fuskys!

Not a fan of this, I'm afraid, as it would penalize the two strongest conferences: B1G and SEC. The second best team in each would be out with a loss, giving a pass to at large and potentially weaker ACC and B12 teams. Last year PSU deserved to be in the CFP even though they lost to Oregon in the B1G CG. Different matter if the loser already had enough losses to need to win to get in, but I imagine that wouldn't be the case for the Power 2 most years.

I will say that #54 Mixon had a gear that I didn’t think he did when he ran down Lemon on that swing pass. The outside contain that Oregon showed against U$C was outstanding and shut down most of their options. Fusky doesn't have as many deep or lateral weapons as the Trojenz and if the edges can keep Williams from busting loose from the pocket it will be a lot harder for him to find targets against the Duck secondary. D Jackson has the speed to be a spy but would have to play with a discipline that he hasn't always shown. Theinemen certainly can as long as it doesn't leave a safety sized gap in the middle. Mixon might very well be able to be that spy if he stays on the field for passing downs.

I read Bill McGurn's WSJ article and he makes the salient points that anyone following FBS CFB has known for ages. He is correct about Brian Kelly and in identifying the wild west character of the crazy money and dissociation from traditional collegiate sports. He is error when he thinks that the NCAA should police and oversee the new landscape, not recognizing that it was the NCAA missteps that in large part created the current situation.

If Dante does skip to the NFL next year, it could put JKS in the driver's seat to start and might change that equation. Either way, my guess is he stays at Cal.

Not to wish ill on Cal (my alma mater) but might JKS be willing to transfer and serve as Dante's backup for a year before taking the reins? His talent ceiling is higher than Novosad, Moga, Smith and incoming Beaver and he could follow as the next in line to the NFL. He would have a far superior O-line and skill players in Eugene and better coaching even if WS moves on by that time. Dante has risen back up draft boards after the last several good performances. The negatives from his Indiana game have dissipated some. No recent word on his supposed inclination to return to Oregon next year, but it would appear to be in his best interest to do so. JKS would be a good heir apparent. And if Dante leaves, he would likely be odds on favorite to win the starting job in 2026.

That was Josh Pate's prediction, Oregon playing it's best game of the year. It's a bummer that both DAK and Bryant are out but its not like they are a last minute scratch. Benson, Lowe and JMac are solid, have made great catches in previous games and have been working together the past few weeks. Sadiq is essentially a super-size WR that can beat you deep or knock you out of your shoes. He is more than a load for any LB and can smoke most safeties. Saleapaga and JJohn can block and catch so 13 formation is a very viable option in passing situations with multiple threats. Unanimous nods from the ESPN crew makes sense and Oregon should be ok.

Oregon 38-35 2 TO 2 Sacks 210 yds passing Closer than anyone would like. Lemon gets his and exposes the secondary some, but it's not enough. OBD leans into the ground game to win.

This game feels different than that Indiana game. Oregon's offensive identity has sharpened in part because of the WR injuries forcing WS to modify the game plan, the talent advantage at the TE position and the O-line improvement after moving Pregnon to RG. Samples utilizing Davison, Whittington and Hill Jr as the RB by committee sledgehammer is the difference. Unlike what happened in the Autzen loss, the path to victory against U$C is clearer: Run. The. Damn. Ball

I'd buy one but not both. We lost at home to the #2 team by 10 points, beat then ranked Iowa on the road and just blew out the Gophers. Okie lost big at home to now out of it Texas and by 8 to Ole Miss. Beating Bama with Mateer having a so-so day will mean something, but not enough to leapfrog OBD. The ES(EC)PN bias will come in with leaving Bama just above Oregon. They did squeak by Georgia at home, but also lost at home to a dismal FSU that lost at home to the 'Furd. In a just universe devoid of Paaawl Finebaum, SEC bias and ESPN talking heads, the Ducks would be ranked above both. I'll be satisfied with splitting the difference. Doesn't matter anyway as Oregon must win both remaining games to hopefully end up at the 6th seed sweet spot.