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Then they had better win the Conference title this year because when they go to the Big 10 they'll be a looooooog time winning another.

To the first line above: sorry, I thought it was you saying that. To the second line, I agree. Oregon has a couple, maybe three, years to go before they're back to where they were when they were competing in the first BCS title game. These things take time. But they will still be competitive against the Bulldogs, imo. I'm guessing the Ducks will cover the spread.

"Oregon's roster lists no safeties and no cornerbacks. Everyone who is in the mix to play in the secondary is listed simply as a defensive back." Rob Moseley At the least, this might give the Bulldog's DC a bit of a pause. How do you scheme (offensively) for a team with no safeties & cornerbacks? Well, at least none named. I think it's great the players at these positions are getting trained at all positions and I kinda think this is Lanning & staff still uncertain who plays where, when... AND... to keep Georgia guessing. It's a rather novel approach. I like it.

With all due respect: It's the statement you made earlier about the Ducks not measuring up period. I guess I'm not sure where the Ducks don't measure up somewhere. What's your guess on the final score?

I've got a novel idea: Let's play the game who see who beats whom. Just a thought, Trojans.

They are getting a quality college education - a chance to play football for a major college program - world-class physical training - National exposure on TV - a shot at the NFL where they could earn $ millions. At the least, the first 3 are worth it, don't you think?

That's pretty harsh, don't you think? Remember, Georgia 'lost' a lot of their starters to the NFL, 17 I hear. That's a lot of new positions to fill. Many feel the Ducks have the most talent in the Pac. And they don't measure up period? I guess we'll see on the 3rd.

Generally, I think the column by DazeNconfused hits the nail pretty good. Was a little surprised to see little mention of Ty Thompson except to speculate another year on the pine for him as Nix & Butterfield go 1-2 in a 2-QB system. Personally, I've never liked the 2-QB system and believe it robs a team of a Leader and consistency at the one position consistency is the most important.

His (Brooks) work at Oregon has "aged well", if you know what I mean. We wanted more at the time. Got it in Bellotti & Kelly. Then began to lose it with Mark Helfrich (whom I liked) and saw it almost evaporate with WT. Cristobal saved O from slipping out of the picture but left before the program was back where fans wanted it to be. It's still got a good ways to go.

If 'NIL' gets as big as I'm afraid it might then there is no way a small market like Oregon (Eugene esp) will ever be able to keep up with the really big schools and programs. I don't see this as a good thing for Collegiate Sport in general. But then, I'm old-school and ready to be put out to pasture.

Well, if home is where all of us want to go back to eventually, Lanning included, maybe Missou will be getting a great coach someday. Just as soon as Oregon delivers him a National Championship. Or, it it the other way around: He divers Oregon a National Championship? All this speculation and Oregon hasn't played its 1st game yet under the new coach. LOL (I know, I started it on this thread....)

I think I see the 'tongue-in-cheek' there with the 'Brooks great coach' comparison. Yeah, I remember thinking: "Finally (!) we can get an new coach and from there Bellotti helped Oregon get better fast." But in hind sight, we should remember Rich Brooks for running a clean program, keeping the Ducks competitive (for the most part) and building a solid program base for Bellotti to build off of. Whittingham should be credited with making Utah good enough to beat Oregon twice, convincingly. Comparing him to Rich Brooks may be a good one.

Ah, yes. Now I remember. And how could I forget when the whole idea caused me to think we were about to see the end of collegiate amateurism as we knew it for over 140 years? $9 million you say, for the Miami QB? That puts him on a par with the Head Coach. Just like the NFL. Egads...

Lanning as a Motivator is on test Sept. 3. It's one thing to have talented HS kids (and maybe a couple years in the collegiate ranks). Quite another to play well as a coordinated unit on the field against a true, big, solid, winning program from the SEC. If the Ducks come to Atlanta motivated and prepared for a dog-fight (no pun intended) it should be entertaining. If not... well... the Bulldogs are gonna teach the Ducks a hard lesson. Personally, I think the Ducks will be game, but out-matched. This year. But I expect they will cover the spread.

Not sure what 'NIL' is that you refer to, but "having boosters who will buy recruits..." is not legal nor ethical. I seem to remember something about one of our new coaches (Lupoi) being embroiled in a controversy (later dropped) about just that at Cal. Lanning has inherited a good, solid, clean program at Oregon and that's what all Duck fans want. Coaches with integrity like Mike Bellotti should be our goal.

That Ferrari Bellotti and Kelly built has been traded. Oregon's driving a sedan right now. If Oregon were still operating like a raging Ferrari who better to have driven it than Herbert? Time to build a new one. Or maybe a Tesla/HumVee. One to out-speed ya and one to run over you. I think Lanning's got the HumVee idea going but does Dillingham have the Tesla in the works?

Simply because Mid-Western & Southern teams think Utah's another anomaly, probably winning over weak conference teams, not worth considering. Utah has a chance to pop that balloon soon if they show in Florida. Oregon has to show up in Atlanta and at least make a game of it. Problem is, all-new everything almost from coaching to QB's to many of the skill positions over a solidly entrenched SEC powerhouse loaded with talent and confidence. Just cover the spread Oregon, and go from there. Don't let the Dawgs punch you in the mouth without punching them right back. Harder.

20-10 Georgia. Oregon covers the spread, gets some serious respect and Bulldog fans get a scare. I sure hope I'm wrong and it's the other way around (17-13 Oregon).

It's also possible that Lanning, (if he wins a National Championship here) decides he likes it here, and Phil Knight helps Oregon keep him satisfied with his salary & benefits. And it's also possible that the shoes Saban leaves to fill when he retires might not be ones he wants to try on. I mean, what a tough act to follow!

How does one do this, Charles?

Has she announced the sex of the child? A son would bring the story an even more compelling aspect. Now that the news is public...

I'd think Lanning would be wooed by a number of schools if he does well here and yep, Alabama chief among them.

Maybe we should check to make sure Steve's all right - and that spellchecker didn't change him too!

Yes, this morning KPNW reported Kay announced it on Instagram. This puzzles me because I don't understand why people would announce (to the world, essentially) news like this publicly - unless it's to get attention. But, it's Ms. Kay's prerogative to do so. Personally, I think she should have cleared this with Spencer's family first. It'd sure be a lousy way to learn the news - by an Instagram announcement. I wish Ms. Kay well.

Speaking of Utah in their upcoming battle with Florida, most fans here I think are hoping for the Utes to do well and win. A win for them is a win for the Pac-12 and that's good for the Ducks, etc. No argument. But why is Utah doing so well of late? Well, there's Kyle Whittingham, for one. Not only has he proven to be a great coach, he's been in place there since 2005. That's 18 seasons! Not since Rich Brooks' 18 seasons and Mike Bellotti 's 14 seasons has Oregon had a Head coach in place for more than four years (five, if you count Cristobal's covid-era shortened 2021season). Len Casanova, another of Oregon's great coaches, headed the program for 16 seasons. Now, my question is this: IF Dan Lanning, the 36-yr old Head Coach, has success at Oregon (and we all hope he will!) how long do we expect this man to remain in Oregon? Are we realistically thinking it will be as long as Bellotti's 14, or Brooks' 18? Not likely, but who knows? I guess my point is: this coaching carousel the Ducks have been on since Bellotti's retirement (14 years & five coaches ago) is not (in my opinion) going to get the Ducks to the pinnacle of College Football world. Or if it does, it might be a very, very brief period. By "pinnacle" I'm referring to, say, a Top 5 final ranking in more 5 years out of a decade. You know, like Ohio State. And Alabama. And Clemson. And Georgia. etc. Utah, on the other hand, may be heading that way as we write. Certainly finding and keeping a Head Coach is a huge part of building a program that lasts. Rich Brooks had an idea how to do it. Bellotti certainly improved on that idea. And Kelly made it happen... if only he had stayed for another 5 years at least. What's your thoughts on Lanning's future, if he builds a winning program at Oregon? Will he use it as a springboard to a bigger program and leave Oregon on the coaching carousel for another decade? Go Ducks.