GatOrlando

The Big 12 they left is gone and dead. They'd be the top brand there, probably have more success. Their academic standing also better fits in there. They're the only non AAU member, but they were AAU when they joined. Leaving the B1G is nothing like leaving the PAC. Utah would trade them spots in a heartbeat. As would North Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, Stanford, Cal. Missouri would probably be better off on the field if they left the SEC, go back to the Big 12. But they'd be in the same boat, we all know what's going on. So do these schools. Nebraska fans are upset because they've been relegated to mid status. I don't like their chances of climbing out of that.

Two years ago, this question would be a no brainer. Given the choice. Would you rather have Lincoln Riley or Dan Lanning long term? I think Christobel changed Oregon long term. Even with Chip Kelly, the Ducks would get beat if you could stop the RPO. Just look at the 2014 National Title game. No USC fan will buy this. But Oregon is better suited heading into the B1G next year. You'll need that physicality in Ann Arbor, Madison, Columbus, or Happy Valley. You'll do what Nebraska thought they were gonna do 11 years ago.

I've been wanting chaos since the four team playoff started. Mostly because I hated them calling it a playoff. But more often than not, there's been little criticism of who ended up winning it. This year you could have that chaos. Say Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, Georgia, and Florida State all go undefeated. Then you have Oklahoma, Washington or USC, Miami, Michigan, Alabama and Notre Dame with only one loss.

There's been grumbling about Florida and the N.I.L. There's been a level of arrogance surrounding the program for years, despite it's failures. It's picking up, because the boosters, businesses and donors are realizing you can't just depend on being the University of Florida, being a great academic institution ,and standing on the legacies of past icons. I'm not concerned about that part. I wish the program would have hit the portal more, but Napier doesn't think he needs to get too many rentals. He's a good recruiter, I just think he needs to realize those surrounding the program are anxious. Losing Rashada isn't the backbreaker most think. He changed his mind. It happens, 17 year olds can make decisions and then change them. Ohio State lost their five star QB. It's just the effect of transfers. They lost Ewers after he was there a year as well. As far as the SEC being down this year, sure. We don't have great QB play. But to say the ACC is more cutthroat because of one year? I'm not buying it. If one year was an indicator, the PAC would be the preeminent football league. Instead of being the league with the fewest playoff appearances, and wins(tied with the Big 12). A down year in the SEC still has the National Title favorite. I'm not sure Florida State, Miami, Duke, or Clemson would make the conference title game in the SEC. Oregon and Washington might, the physicality your Ducks have shown, will matchup well with Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State. Most likely one of those will be your matchup. I would put Oregon and Michigan as the most impressive teams I've seen. But something tells me that Georgia is going to improve and look like what we expect. Kind of a long explanation for a short answer. Bullet points are that Florida will have the talent, the alumni base is too large and loyal. Under Meyer, there were rumors of dealerships and businesses doing things that are legal today. The SEC isn't the best conference this year so far, but it's not going away as the most cutthroat conference in the country. Lastly, I believe in the PAC and your Ducks as the best I've seen so far. Crazy to think you could see Oregon playing their future conference mates in the playoff. I'm not sold on the ACC yet.

Napier has been a little too conservative so far in his tenure imo. The two greatest runs in Florida history happened under the "Fun and Gun" Steve Spurrier, and the "Spread it Out" with Urban Meyer. Of course those guys also did it with more talent. But Deion has shown how to quickly inject life. Napier has the saying "No risk it. No biscuit!!". Starting Graham Mertz is as risky averse as I can think. He's recruiting well, but Florida isn't the place where you get three years of rope. Especially with Georgia, FSU, and Miami rising up the ladder. If Georgia and FSU both make the playoffs, and Florida wins six games. The seat is hot. Not ideal for a guy preaching patience. The SEC is hunt or be hunted. Brian Kelly is finding out about that.

There was a point we beat Kentucky thirty plus times in a row. They have a three game streak going after trashing us on Saturday. Mark Stops isn't surprising me though. He's built a very solid SEC East program. They've been better and more consistent than both Florida and Tennessee. You just don't hear about them because Georgia, and Alabama have been so dominant. To me I can't call them a surprise. Look at what Mark has built at a basketball school. There was a strong chance somebody was gonna hire him away. Nebraska made a huge mistake by not doing so imo. The guy recruits Ohio very well, he gets the four stars from that state that Ohio State passes up.

Does UCLA have to pay Cal now that they are ACC bound? Could Oregone State be angling an Oregon payment? Especially if the coffers of the PAC aren't full.

Was that a rush the field type upset? Was it even truly an upset? What was the line? Once Oregon State got to 21 points, the game was over. Utah needs Rising back, they don't have the ability to matchup with the great QB's if they don't. Maybe USC. Although I think the Trojans will put up 70 on them if presented the chance. They really feel like losing twice to them last year was unacceptable. If they feel Oregon is a never was, I can imagine how they feel about Utah.

I can see Lou Holtz having a field day when his Irish play USC later this year. If he thinks Ohio State under Ryan Day has lost because of a lack of toughness. Look at Lincoln Riley's team in Norman and now L.A. That defense has been exposed. Gotta give Deion a'lot of credit though. After last week and the first half today. Deion's son has outplayed Caleb by a wide margin in the second . To the Big 12, you better get them early next year.

Luckily for them , it may get a'lot easier if Clemson, FSU, and UNC have found a way out. I'll buy Miami for real when they actually finish a season strong. Until then it's just glitz and glamor.

I think "back" in terms of how most see it is National Titles Contenders. Playing in, if not winning the conference title game. USC last won a National Title in '04. Texas in '05, and Miami in '01. Miami has never won the ACC, think about that. They've played in one ACC Title Game, one!! As you can probably see, I don't have much desire to see them "back". But the odds are that Mario is building them up pretty well. He's got Miami High School connections. That's the key to their success. Much like USC and Los Angeles.

No, you were right. I edited it after you commented. The word surprising can mean anything. I did have success there originally, but again that can have different narratives as well. Colorado won one game a year ago. They are about to have their third straight nationally televised matchup.

Miami has what looks like a good win. I just can't label them as back yet. I also can't call them a surprise either. It's Miami, much like Texas or USC. They have a ton of talent, and for the first time in their history, they are investing money into their infrastructure.

I actually have grown to appreciate Deion's honesty. It's not false bravado. But I can't put them up there a week after getting beaten down. It wasn't close, I don't like their chances today. Kansas has their shot at Texas today. Duke has theirs against Notre Dame, and Syracuse has Clemson. We'll find out a lot about all three. Washington State has already beaten Wisconsin and Oregon State.

I gotta agree with Washington at the top. The meat of the schedule is coming up, so we'll get to see how good they really are. Florida State looked good week one, but very shaky the last two weeks. That kind of knocks them down imo. I would say Texas is my number two, Oregon is my number three, Washington State is four, Ohio State is five. That's based off how they've looked, who've they beaten, and who they've got. Obviously Washington State doesn't have who Georgia does, but they've beaten Wisconsin and Oregon State. Ohio State hasn't looked great offensively, but they have NFL guys everywhere, and won at Notre Dame , playing "tough". Texas, Washington, and Oregon are top three. All have first round QB's, play physically tough on both sides, and have beaten down everything in their path. Georgia,USC, Penn State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Florida State, and Miami are just behind the five I noted.

We are heading into October my friends. Anything and everything is still on the table. The Heisman, conference titles, playoff births. But like every year there have been pleasant surprises. I ask you who has surpassed the expectations so far. I always love an underdog, as long as it isn't playing my team. *Edited the title, to include surprising successes. As pointed out below, how the vague the word surprising can be interpreted.

Oregon State and Washington State are blaming the wrong people. If there was any sort of leadership, the PAC would be alive. That Apple deal was just the latest bad choice in a series of many. The Washington President worded it perfectly in her press conference announcing their move. " When the greatest benefit of the media deal with Apple is that you can get out of it in a couple years. That's very telling". Clemson and FSU aren't happy with 39 million a year. Oregon would have stayed in a PAC with that sort of guarantee imo. They are settling for less than that for the remainder of the current B1G deal. But they'll get full shares in the next deal, and with the B1G being what it is, there will be a better deal. Rutgers, Maryland and Nebraska are now getting full shares. Think they're happy to not be in the ACC or Big 12 now? Utah still wants a B1G invite.

It's at Oregon State? I'd take them simply due to that, and a better QB. Wouldn't shock me to see Utah make it a low scoring affair, which I would pick them in. Oregon State scores under three touchdowns, Utah wins. Otherwise Oregon State keeps their PAC Two title hopes alive.

He didn't even need to use dynamite, he's that explosive.

It's like a thinly veiled slap at Oregon. " We aren't like you greedy Ducks. We Beavers , build our dams pro bono".

Pretty telling that it wasn't a med student( I guess she could be), or an engineering major doing the narration. Rather a Student-Athlete, and the video showed their football stadium imploding, only to be shown being built back up. With the line they build success, rather than buying it. Then she said they don't follow trends, they set them. Kind of a big lie, since they've engaged in talks(allegedly) to join other conferences. They've only landed on the relegation PAC 2 model because it's the only one they see as keeping a P5 membership. They would jump at a Big 12 invite tomorrow. Like I said, I like Washington State's hype video more. They simply said they are a powerful University, with great support. But I get it. They know that this is the height of their position of attention right now. They have a nationally relevant football team, they are still in a power league. They have games coming up against Washington, Oregon, and USC, and an outside shot of still making the playoffs. The college football world is sympathetic to them. They'll be put on the back burner next year, and as this conference realignment story goes away from a PAC oriented situation. They will be forgotten, as will Washington State. Schools like Boston College, Wake Forest, and North Carolina State will be thrust into the spotlight. If the ACC implodes, those three will be left in the wilderness. Best case scenario? The ACC adds Oregon State and Washington State to buffer their numbers. Keep that ESPN deal in place. 39 million a year for it's existing members, if they stay above 15 members. Can Oregon State survive at a reduced revenue stream , like Stanford or Cal? Lot's of travel expenses incoming.

I laughed at the line "We believe in building success, not buying it". What does that mean? So those renovations to the stadium were built freely by the sons and daughters of Oregonians? They don't need the money from the PAC's corpse? I liked Washington State's hype video more.

Anybody see this video from the Beavs?

One has to wonder the formula for Stanford football to succeed. Harbaugh gave them the formula, Caldwell maintained for a while. Is it lack of investment? Fan interaction? I know Trojan, Husky, Duck, Beaver, Cougar, Wildcat fans can be rowdy. If Stanford just didn't care at all, I think they would just go independent. Forget about playing in the ACC. They have the endowment big enough to fund some countries. I just don't get what their aim is. Or that creepy tree.

https://youtu.be/PB7r5-qOvvI?si=XMenfyltKr5-ovBr That 2007 upset of USC by Stanford signaled Stanford was not a joke. But hearing the announcer saying that the Pac 10 was the best conference prior to the 2009 game. He wasn't far off, but it feels weird hearing it. Pac10 sounds weird. If we only knew what would be 14 years later.