AnotherOD

It's probably unlikely; and, admitedly maybe now "old school" type thinking, but when the offense brings in an extra TE (or OL) and the fullback Grace wouldn't bother me one bit to also see the 6-2 and 215 pound RB (Jay Harris). Might come in handy in goal line situations further in the season. The guy scored 23 TDs in 20 career games at NW Missouri State (doubt we see it though). Maybe hand one to the FB, though I guess he actually is a TE (22 TDs himself as a high school senior). Having a 1994 Duane Jones flashback.

USC-Nebraska crowd today, 25 minutes prior to kick (image Tom Shatel Omaha World-Herald):

Among the top comments from the Oregon State/AirForce game thread? "Jonathan Smith should be charged with arson for what he did to this program" "I have had root canals less painful than this!" "oh, so this is why Oregon State didn't invite AF to the pac12" "We may never score again" "Parker is running out of things to talk about on the radio. He will start talking about baseball soon"

Air Force 21 Oregon State 0 About 12 minutes left. I think Air Force was 2-7 with one of the two wins being Merrimack.

Obviously when you are a top team, you tend to get everyone's best shot (at least as long as they remain competitive in the game). Coming in off a bye certainly doesn't hurt prep time. Wisconsin is going to come out and give that shot as well (and will have that bye). I think it is a later kickoff, which is less optimal. I believe Wisconsin is 5-4 coming off a 2 TD loss at home to Penn State and then a 42-10 smacking by Iowa. Took a quick look and Maryland was ranked #34 in total offense (and #9 in passing offense). Not that bad. Wisconsin is #82 in total offense and #92 in scoring offense (25.1). Against the 3 best defenses they have faced, they scored 10 against Alabama, 13 against Penn State, and 10 against Iowa. Winning on the road in conference in college is rarely considered a "lock" and strange things can and do happen; but, the Ducks should be in a good position to continue the formula that has been successful so far this year. From all accounts, Wisconsin is a tough place to play. Anyone recall in 2000 the Ducks losing a heartbreaker in Madison? They had taken a late lead with a 47 yard interception return for a TD by LB Matt Smith but then surrendered an 83 yard run by UW's Michael Bennett down to the Duck 1. Bennett who had been held to 32 yards in the first half, exploded for 258 yards in the second half including TD runs of 59 and 75 (as well as the 83 yarder). The Ducks had shut UW out in the first half and lead 6-0. Bennett ripped off the 59 yarder early in the 3rd, then the Ducks had a punt blocked and returned for a TD and all of a sudden it was 6-14. Ducks battled all the way back to lead 23-20 with about 5 minutes left, only to see Bennett break the long run, and give the Ducks one of their two losses in 2000 (a loss I believe that eventually kicked Oregon all the way down to Holiday Bowl as nonconference record ended up being a partial deciding factor in breaking the conference's three way tie for 1st that year).

Nothing on Tez, but looks like good news on Harper. Regarding an update, Lanning mentioned that Harper told him he'd be "fine" postgame. "He told me in the locker room that he's going to be fine," said Lanning. "We want to make sure we get him assessed and take a look at that. But I don't have an update right now."

Tez does so many things. Shoulder sprain or shoulder separation maybe? Painful but usually 1-2 weeks? Harper's knee? Could be a lot of things. Ugh!

Not a rules expect here but I believe in college an OL must be within 3 yards of the LOS if the pass is beyond the LOS. Took a look at the replay and the LOS looked like the 34 and when the pass finally is thrown Harper had drifted to about the 30. I guess it looked like 4 yards, which would be too far; but, given Harper was not only not blocking anyone, didn't even have a Michigan player within 5 yards of him, is a call I imagine isn't often made, as it doesn't really seem to why the rule is enforced. The pass play took a while to develop, it almost lools like Harper had started to jog upfield to be in position to line up for thr next snap, if the pass wasn't a score. So, kind of a wierd spot for Harper to get caught in (on the complete other side of the play, at least 5 yards away from the nearest Michigan player who was running away from him). The commentator guy called it a good catch by the officials but I'm not sure I see it. Harper was about 15-18 yards away from where the QB was throwing the ball with no Michigan players really near him (they actually were running away from him) and his last few steps looked like moving to get back in place if there was going to be another snap. He is kind of jogging alone by himself when he drifts forward that last yard.

Don't even really like talking about the "I word", it is such a difficult part of the sport. I've been watching much of the season finding myself thinking, "Ok, nobody get hurt, nobody get hurt, nobody get hurt!" The run to the Oregon/Auburn National Championship game was a pretty phenomenial year with health. I don't think the defensive unit missed a single game from a starter due to injury (with 21 defensive players listed as playing in all 13 games). The only offensive injury I can really recall was Kenjon Barner getting knocked out for two games after the kickoff at WSU. Really remarkable. 2014 Oregon/tOSU National Championship year wasn't quite so lucky. There were injuries early and then very unfortunate and unlucky injuries late (impacting the playoffs). From what I can remember, the season started off with starting LT Tyler Johnstone being lost for the season with what was a bad knee injury. Fisher moved over to LT and Andre Yruretagoyena was inserted at RG, where he hurt his foot in game two (and I don't think ever played much again for the Ducks before retiring from football). Ficher then hurts his knee the next week versus Wyoming. For a couple games the OL was really scrambling at OT, then in game 9 Matt Pierson who had been helping hold down OT, hurt his knee. Grasu even missed the final two games of the regular season with a bad leg. Despite that, the season is probably more remembered for Pharoah Brown's horrible leg injury game 10 against Utah where he was lost for the season tearing two ligaments in his knee and opening up an artery which cut off blood flow to the leg below the knee. Prior to the injury, Pharoah was having a breakout season as one of the Pac-12s top TEs. I also recall Thomas Tyner missing a couple games with that shoulder. On defense, of course, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, on his way to being a very possible first round NFL draft choice, hurt his knee in the practices leading up to the Florida State game and was lost for the year. Armstead missed two games with an ankle. During the playoffs, Devon Allen tore his ACL on the opening kickoff of the Florida State game, and then, while not an injury, Darren Carrington, got suspended for the Ohio State game (Carrington in the prior two games had 14 catches for 291 yards and 3 TDs). This year, knock-on-wood, has been pretty good so far, with Burch possibly missing 4-6 weeks as the biggie. Also, as most I'm sure know (but arguably should be mentioned), Oregon has been without two projected starters in Florence and Bedford, its #4 WR in Bryant, and backup OL Luli all season. In some years past, that might have spelled considerable trouble, really amazing how well the staff and team have pushed through those absences.

I was looking at the ACC and if SMU beats Pitt at home next weekend, they have a very easy path to finish 8-0 in conference and 11-1 overall. If Clemson, Miami, and SMU all finish 8-0, on the third tie-breaker Clemson and Miami play. If Clemson beats Miami in a close game, both Clemson and Miami probably get spots and an 11-1 SMU conference co-champion likely gets left out. Iowa State is unbeaten (and has a tougher road to stay that way) but they could meet an undefeated BYU for the B12 championship game. Does the B12 get 2? If not, a second one loss program gets left out? How about if tOSU gets it worked out and beats Penn State and Indiana? Indiana and Penn State still have a manageable road to 11-1. How many from the B1G can go? If Oregon beats tOSU in a rematch, can you take a two loss tOSU team in over one loss Penn State and Indiana? In this case tOSU would have still beaten both teams (and only lost twice to #1). How do you choose between Penn State and Indiana if the B1G does manage 3? Texas A&M finishes with Texas. What happens to everybody else in the SEC if 11-1 Georgia and 11-1 A&M play for the SEC championship? In this case I believe all of Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama will have at least 2 losses (Texas to Georgia and A&M, Tenn to Arkansas and Georgia, Alabama to Tenn and Vandy). How do you pick which SEC team gets in if indeed as most believe they get 3 spots? Similar situation between Alabama, Tenn, and A&M if they are beat by Texas. What happens to Georgia if Tenn happens to find a way to pull an upset there? In that case it would be Texas or Texas A&M vs. Tenn in the championship game and Georgia, Alabama, and the loser of the Texas showdown all with 2 losses. There was some worry the expanded playoff might make the regular season less exciting? It sure seems at least to be setting up for a number of meaningful games the last 5 weeks, and possibly a lot of debate for those 7 spots going to the non-automatic qualifiers (and just 6 if ND lands a spot -- ND probably will be pulling hard for A&M over Texas as it makes their opening season win look bigger -- can USC knock them off at home that last week of the season?).

I have a hard time not seeing it as a shot at Miami's fan base not particularly well disguised as a recruiting pitch. Recruits, especially Florida recruits, if they are considering a Florida school, know exactly what is going on at Florida, Florida State, and Miami. To me it sounds like, after two years of being pretty heavily criticized by a fair portion of Miami's fan base, Mario saying, "Look, get off my back, its taken a while, but now I've got things going" ... (and from the look on his face at the end of the video) "you should probably say sorry." I'll just add, its been a pretty fortunate season for Miami. Saved a VT and Cal, FSU being bad, Florida looking at a possible 5-6 win season, and once again, other than possibly Clemson, the ACC looking pretty bleh. Mario could stumble his way, at this point to over 10 wins.

Maybe Bedford ends up getting another year if he ends up not making it back (I think this is his 6th season but he only played one game in 2022 and might miss all of 2024 which I would hope would make him a good candidate for a medical year)? Looking at it right now, I'd think the staff will probably be looking in the portal for: OT, OT, TE, WR, DT, CB, CB, S, S, and NB based on who we have seen play so far, and at what points in the game (in the sense that if there is an experienced player available in the portal the staff likes, it likely would take that player to compete with the guys returning, despite young talent on the roster -- who still might be considered more in the "depth" stage). That's 10 guys which seems like a lot; but, in 2023, I think 8 starters were first year portal guys; and, in 2024, I think 7 starters were first year portal guys. So, in this new environment, even 9-10 new we starters doesn't seem crazy. I think Oregon's on the field success, coaching staff, success highlighting portal guys well in their shorter time here (Irving, Gonzales, Nix, Gabriel, Cornelius, Burch, Kyree, Stewart, Caldwell, Harmon, Tysheem, Muhammad, Reed, etc.); and presummed competitive NIL, makes Oregon possibly a strong contender for a number of the top portal guys. I'd say top concerns would be finding 2 or possibly 3 OLs in the portal who are good in their first season, won't be easy. If Stewart continues on his recent trajectory, I think he could be gone. I think there are options at #2 or #3 WR but I don't see an obvious #1 WR (could Dakorian Moore have that kind of first season impact?) Finally, there are a few young guys we are hearing good things about in the secondary (Pleasant, Flowers, Woodyard, Laulea, Turner, etc.) but I wouldn't be surprised if guys are looked at for all five spots. Looking at all the senior starters, before the season I was thinking "rebuilding type year" in 2025, but now I think I probably should first wait and see what those additions look like. As well, in college football, much is about the QB, and if the Ducks get good play at that spot (and the rebuild OL holds up), even with a bunch of new starters, on paper should still be very competitive.

Also in this discussion, it has been mentioned that Lanning's concept goes back at least 30 years in the NFL. Buddy Ryan’s “Polish Goal Line” Defense | Monkey With A Gun MONKEYWITHAGUNBLOG.COM RIP, Buddy Ryan, inventor of the "Polish Goal Line" Defense. Supposedly this play...

Interesting enough, with all the Ohio State complaining, there actually was already in the rules a way for Ohio State to have gotten the 5 yards and not lost the 4-5 seconds. All they had to do was either call a timeout or let the play clock run down to zero. In the more extreme case of a team having no timeouts and not enough time left in the game to allow the play clock to expire, I think the only remedy would be for a savvy QB to quickly count the extra defender and spike the ball, which would be pretty difficult. So, maybe the existing rules don't cover all situations; but, at least for the Oregon/Ohio State game, tOSU with a timeout, actually apparently had an already in the rules counter.

Is there a rules expert willing to comment? In the NFL, I believe there is a rule in the first 5 yards there can be some contact but no such rule exists in college. You cannot block or otherwise blast a DB as a WR unless the pass is thrown behind the line of scrimmage. I was quite surprised at the number of comments I read in various sites suggesting "that kind of contact happens on every play". No, WR don't run a 5-6 yard curl and after 5 yards, absolute blast the DB to the point he falls backwards about 4 yards, leaving the WR wide open for an easy catch and step out of bounds to save clock. On Eleven Warriors, there is a thread where over about 6-8 posts and there is a discussion of this and there is one Ohio State fan willing to stand up to the crowd and say, " Yes he absolutely blasted the DB and it was about as clear as you are going to see." Props to that fan because I have to agree and am actually the tiniest bit surprised so many tOSU fans want to ignore the obvious.

I thought it would be a little closer between #1 and #2 as well. My overall thought ended up being that since Texas is playing Georgia next week, the voters felt no strong reason to move them since a win, they stay #1, and a loss, they drop. I'm not totally sure I agree with the argument; but, I suppose I see the thought process (and it leaves you with a #1 versus #5 matchup to highlight next week, which obviously ESPN and the SEC will be able to promote).

Brandon Johnson getting picked on. Wonder if we might be better off with a 3rd DB.

It seems they are running at Tuioti.

That was a bit ugly. Dan c'mon. We have shown that already. That's 5 points left off the board (with the FG miss).

And a free yard on the spot, out at the two, placed at the one.

Well, you know, they are reviewing this one. Hmmm.

Gonna be tough to beat tOSU and the refs together. If they reviewed it and gave it to him? Maybe. Not even reviewing it is extremely poor. One is bad, the other concerning.

If it were at tOSU? It might be tough taking the Ducks. However, it is at Autzen, at least to this point, that makes a difference. Over the last 30 years? Teams not in the Pac-12 have not fared so well going into Autzen for the first time. It could be argued all day tOSU is a conference opponent but they haven't traveled out here in the meaningful time frame. Michigan State, once under Saben and once under DeAntonio traveled out here and were sent packing. Michigan, when they were a big thing, came out here and were upset. Oklahoma, when they were still perceived as decent, didn't leave with a win (despite where one wants to place the on side kick). Nebraska when they were still thought of being a possible thing under Riley, lost in Autzen. Wisconsin, still under the direction of Alvarez, lost in Autzen 31-28. Tennessee came out, and didn't make it a game, same with Old Miss. Opponents tend to look at the game and say tOSU has been in these situations and I get it, but it is not the exactly IMO the same situation. tOSU better? Well, maybe overall the UO is not outside the margin of error. Playing at home is a thing in college football. No one knows what will happen, but a strong bet will be the UO (somehow) will be better on Saturday at home and tOSU will overall be not quite as good. Just how it TENDS to play out. That could be the difference. I haven't been a Phil Steele guy for a long time; but, back in the day he placed the Autzen advantage at 6-7 points. Not 3.

A sample of some of the fan thoughts from the 3,000+ responses in the Cal-Miami post-game thread: RemoteAbalone8687: "I'm not somebody who usually thinks sports are fixed but that game was rigged 100%." "The game is rigged because Miami is the only chance the ACC has of having a good team." JacobDeGood48: "Everybody talking about Cam Ward and Damien Martinez but I think the refs were Miami's most important portal acquisition." Garret126: "ACC 's going overtime to prop up a team to save a dying conference." TheBoilerCat: "ACC refs pulling off quite the impressive weekend to keep Miami undefeated." Beartato327: "That targeting should have iced the game." Fifth_Down: "It's so ****** a top 10 team can avoid upset in back-to-back weeks based entirely on their own conference refs not following the text book definition of the rule book during an automatic replay review." Woullie_26: "Like, you gotta at least to try to make it look fair." Its_LOL: "ACC in survival mode trying to gift wrap Miami an undefeated season." Cmonkeybaum: "I know we'll keep watching, but do they think we are stupid????" tvcneverdie: "Cal blew this majorly but ACC refs are completely in bed for Miami, gross dude." DelPride: "I didn't think they could top last week, holy **** they did!" "2 weeks in a row Miami is saved literally by the ACC review studio. Hmmm. Yeah sure nothing fishy at all." Seminal-Patriot: "Worse called game since ... Miami's last game." Dollars: "The ACC refs need to be investigated. Not sure I've ever seen a targeting call that text book level not called." TrustMeIKnowThisOne: "ACC review booth projected to make the CFP." Levajack: "ACC review booth is now leading in the Heisman race as well." AuGaSkittles: "Congrats to the ACC review booth for 2 straight huge comebacks." Skyelighted: "ACC review center definitely understands there are tens of millions of dollars at stake in the upcoming lawsuits and 2025-2026 negotiations would greatly benefit from having an undefeated conference champion in the playoffs." JakeSnake42: "Cal, welcome to the Miami ref show!" SemiShPost: "ACC refs need to put on Miami jerseys at this point." DoctorBursyGator: "They gotta do an investigation into ACC refs. Absolutely trying to keep the conference alive." KeyPossibility464: "This game just felt dirty."

I understand when a team blows a lead, there often are posts like, "the refs didn't blow an X point lead" but when the game comes down to a single play that ends the game for the team blowing the lead and they hold on to their win? And the refs blatantly (and quite possibly unethically - as in the ACC refs instructing the outcome from an office somewhere - which protects the team that has the most financial beneficial to them to do so) erase the game winning play in favor of the team that just lost? Yes, in this instance in fact the refs did take a win away from one team and give it to another on one play. All Cal's blowing it in the last 19 minutes didn't matter because they actually did finally make a play which won them the game. And arguably it wasn't even a single play. In the post-game discussion over on Reddit, there are four plays in the final minutes of the game that all favored Miami (which was the road team). For those who have never watched it or otherwise are unfamiliar, take a look at the final seconds of the 1972 Olympic basketball final, where the refs replayed the final three seconds of the gold metal game three times, after the USSR lost the game the first two times. The US team, which had won seven gold metals in a row with a 63-0 all time Olympic record, to this day has never accepted its silver metals, despite seval attempts by the OIC to get them to do so, with even one member, Kenny Davis, having it written in his will forbidding his wife, children, or descendents from ever accepting the metal on his behalf. 40 years after the game Davis put together a reunion of the team members and they unanimously voted to continue to reject the metals stating simply, "By the rules of the game, we won." If allowed to regularly pass with comments like, "the refs didn't lose the game", possibly leads college football even further down the same path. Judgment calls are one thing, blatantly swallowing whistles and not making obvious calls to protect a favored team to alter the outcome, quite another.