Goutes18

ZERO PAC-12 championships with the presumed #1 pick in the NFL draft. Every year since Riley came, they have been a contender to win it all and they fade against good teams. No D and no culture. Even if by some miracle they make it to the BIG championship with a softer conference schedule, the Ducks or Buckeyes will hammer them back to reality. New conference, same story.

Ducks 34-31 (That is a lucky Utah rivalry score - hope it works!) 1 TO 2 Sacks 299 yds passing

I would be shocked if the white flag doesn’t come out long before the end of the 3rd quarter. The Ducks are superior in ever facet of the game and I think the defense will frustrate Caleb early and get a score in the first half to cement a big lead. Utah’s defense is a lot better than the trojans and Bo and company embarrassed them at home. Hoping for 70+!!

Ouch. Congrats Duck fans - that’s game.

I am not a very good predictor so my best chance to win one of these is to pick an upset no self respecting Duck would take - so here goes - with lots of hope and little confidence! Utah 27-24 1 4 277

Utah is a tough place to play, but I have watched Oregon every week and they are WAY better than usc, so I think it is the Ducks game to lose. Should be a dogfight because the Ute defense is tough but Utah can’t score on Oregon like they did on the trojans. I think the team that wins in SLC next weekend will make it to Vegas. Hope it is the home team, but just don’t think we have enough horsepower.

That was a tough one, but clear to me that these are the two best teams in the conference. Seems like a rematch in Vegas is highly likely and I will put my money on the Ducks on a neutral field.

As much as I would like to have Rising back and take our shot at UO, uw, and usc, I think we probably only manage one win in that stretch with him anyway given the rest of the injuries and the crazy talent the top teams have. Go with Plan B - hang it up for this year (Kuthie as well). Get a medical redshirt for both and bring a ton of people back in 24. Win the so so Big12 and make a run in the expanded playoffs! I think Rising needs another year in college to get NFL teams to look at him more seriously. Will show much better at 100% next year vs Houston and Iowa State than how it will go against the Ducks and fuskies this year. I do think Rising is pushing to come back even though he has had some advice to skip the year. Expectations have been totally mismanaged and they should have just said it would be mid-season at best for a return. I saw Rising run on the sidelines 3 weeks ago and he still looked like he was gimpy, but the word was that he was cleared to practice - maybe as the holder but not a running QB. The way things have gone, I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed up starting the next game - nothing transparent about the process at all.

I agree that Oregon is the most complete and best team in the conference right now. The defense is better than I expected and should be able to get pressure on the two other heisman contenders and expose their flaws. I think that it is a two team race with the flea bags right now and the beavers and spoiled children in the next tier trying to be spoilers. If the Utes get healthy and Rising actually plays, they could steal a win from one of the top teams, but the offense would actually have to score and I don’t see that happening against the Ducks. I am all in for Oregon (except 10/28).

Don’t put any hard earned money on Utah this week. I think this is the highest chance of an upset. Still a lot of injuries and even though it sounded like Coach Whit was hinting at Rising playing, I will only believe it when I see him on the field during the game. The offense is so so without him and Kuthie and last years game had a strong Utah defense get completely outplayed and outschemed, so not too confident. If Rising plays, the team should get a big emotional boost and can probably win at home, but that is a big unknown so save your money this week.

Utah is doing stripe the stadium this week also. They have done it for years and it did take some time before it looked really good - lots of people balked at being told what to wear! They actually made a poster of one year that we got it right and it is cool. Some of the early announcements tried to guilt fans into doing it. Found one I thought this forum might like - Don’t wear your Oregon gear to stripe the stadium at Utah!

Oregon 42-20 2 Turnovers 4 sacks 368 yds Passing

This is why I love being on here. Ducks are my favorite team not named Utah and the Duck fans I encounter here and in person are generally knowledgeable and respectful and above all Passionate. I really will miss the rivalry that has developed between our teams and the mutual hate for a few other former PAC-12 teams from WA and CA that I won’t name. I also agree with my fellow Ute - Bo is one tough dude and he is definitely someone I cheer for and would love on my team. I think he will get his conf championship this year (ouch). Can’t wait to see Oregon stick it to all those BIG teams in 24 and we meet again in the CFP!

No one loves the Utes more than me, and love being the “underdog” but not sure I feel like 14 is too low at this point. Remember that Rising is only 7 months out from ACL surgery and they are hedging on whether he will be ready for FL. Also QB2 sent a cryptic tweet out a few days ago thanking everyone for the help and is happy that he will make a full recovery??? Utah is notoriously slow starting in their first game so they could be 0-1 and unranked in no time. Secondary is still a big question mark. O-line unknown….lots of things to worry about. I think the Ducks are better than 15 and seriously can’t believe Clemson is in the top 10.

No way was he joking. Said he was referring to the cold weather, but said he would go to Utah and Colorado?? This is the same idiot that hired Herm Edwards. I am embarrassed to be linked to him and ASU in our new conference. No wonder they have seen a huge drop in their athletics since he was hired. PS - I am going to miss being in the same conference as the Ducks and will be cheering for them in the BIG!

I like the optimism! I think the Ducks are well positioned to make a run. Really glad Utah is the underdog in the conference race again - we don’t perform well as the favorite. We have adopted a Ted Lasso quote at our house for the Utes - “It’s the hope that kills ya” I am gong to call it now - uw is this years A&M. Sorry fuskies - not a believer!

Without Rising, Utah probably slogs their way to 6-7 wins. That being said, Coach Whit said Rising is on track or slightly ahead of schedule in his rehab. Expects him to be ready for FL. With Rising starting, I think 9 wins is possible. They will need to actually show up for game 1, which has been hard for the Utes as long as I can remember. If they win that one, I think they take L’s with Oregon and usc and one other game that isn’t the Fuskies. Will be hard for any team to run the table this year based on schedules and the talent top to bottom

Interesting list. Autzen #1 for sure - hate having to play there. I don’t understand usc being ranked that high. Have been twice - both Utah losses and it was a bunch of late arriving, uninterested fans that only got loud yelling at us after the game walking out. The colosseum is a dump as well. Good riddance! And Utah definitely does not play in Provo!

Thank you Charles! This is the only site I visit regularly and the only one I post on. I am a fan of the Ducks, but they are obviously not my number one team, which I think speaks volumes about what a great site this is! I can’t stand the Utah sites even more now that I have seen what a site with rules and decorum can be. So many great members that know football and help me get perspective I wouldn’t otherwise have. I am grateful that a Ute can participate and enjoy what you have created. By a lucky coincidence I have a family trip to San Diego after Christmas, so I bought Holiday Bowl tickets in October just for fun! Will be cheering loudly for the Ducks!

I am going - don’t tell anyone - haha Look for the one guy in red on the Oregon side. Does this hat work with a red hoodie?

To be fair - the Ducks were one (of two) bad fourth down decisions from going to Vegas and being champs. Lot’s of respect for Oregon and how they handled Utah this year and how Bo stepped up on one leg.

A screenshot of a tweet that sums it up.

Nix and Rising both played on gimpy legs during the season and showed they were 10x tougher than CW. Rising hasn’t been full strength since missing the WSU game and Bo beating Utah was one of the guttiest performances of the year. CW did some amazing things this year and is very talented - maybe heisman worthy - but tough and gritty he is NOT!

My congrats as well. Have just moved to the point where I can talk about it. Utah was simply outplayed and the Oregon coaches did a great job - except that one play. I have a lot of respect for how Bo stepped up and made the plays when he was obviously hurt. Hope the Ducks win out.

I have to say that I was really surprised to see the sellout numbers. Not being from Oregon, I have a different impression of Autzen that I think is probably pretty common among my fellow Ute fans. Here was my perception: Autzen has probably sold out every game in the last decade Loud and intimidating - especially for big games - similar to playing at Utah Always thought Eugene was bigger than it actually is and closer to Portland My thoughts on expansion would be to hold off - unless the stadium is full every week and there is a mile long waiting list for season tickets, it will ruin the atmosphere to have a bunch of empty seats