OregonDucks

Glad to see DAT back in Eugene. He’s one of the most electric players to ever wear the Oregon uniform. I’d have nightmares about seeing DAT break through to the second level, if I were an opposing safety. Does anyone know what he’s been up to since retiring from the NFL?

With NIL, a school could have a huge roster of “non-scholarship” players. Something needs to be done to try to maintain a “level playing field” among the top college football conferences teams. My belief is that players earning NIL and paying their own tuition should be classified the same as scholarship players. It doesn’t matter if the school or a NIL collective is paying tuition, room and board. College football should maintain the true walk-on tradition for those players who might have been overlooked during the recruiting process. If they receive and accept an NIL, then they should be counted against the scholarship limit. This will require coordination between the school and their NIL collectives but that probably isn’t a bad thing.

And then Oregon is kicked out of the B1G?!!!

That’s a good point. Midwesterners travel very well for away football games. I just wonder if they would travel south, in numbers, for 2-3 weeks in a row. Seems like there should be more balance and maybe the championship game or semi finals is in the south but not all the playoff rounds.

Unfortunately, it appears that MM was one of those players who was wonderful in college but, for whatever reason, was not able to translate that success in the NFL. There is no shame in that. He has lasted longer than most players at the highest level. MM should have many opportunities to choose from when he decides to hang up the cleats and I’m sure that he will be successful in anything he does. He will always be one of my favorite Ducks of all time and I was so proud when he won and accepted the Heisman trophy.

From what I’ve seen, Akili Smith, Jr. has a good arm, throws a nice deep ball and is mobile. If he has the maturity and patience then Oregon is definitely the right place for him to develop as he’ll be able to sit behind Dante Moore for a couple of years.

It would have been even better if it were: PAC 12 (-10)

I was surprised how many UW players were drafted last year. I thought that Oregon had the more talented roster, given our recruiting rankings over the past couple of years, but the NFL scouts and front offices believed differently. Oregon lost by 3 points 2x to the more talented team last year - on the road and at a neutral site.

And he has an impressive list of schools that have offered, include our old friend in Miami, who does know a thing or two about offensive lineman. Glad that he grew up a Ducks fan and gets to play in Eugene. I’ll be cheering for him and hope he’s able to accomplish all of his goals here.

I’m disappointed that they didn’t expand Autzen stadium before the first B1G football game in Eugene. Those mid-west fans travel as well as anyone.

I could see the formation of a western conference down the road. Just not sure it would include OSU or WSU. Texas and Oklahoma would be more likely candidates, IMO, as well as Cal and Stanford….

Man, I love Dan Lanning! He is such a great ambassador for the program and the University. I hope he spends his entire career in Eugene and wins multiple national championships. Let’s go Ducks!!!

I would feel the same if I were a tOSU or any other opposing college football fan…

Gabriel on Lanning: Said that Lanning’s coaching style is “innovative” and “refreshing” “Lanning is active in practices whether it’s running, lifting — “He’s sweating at practice, he’s in it,” Gabriel said. “I feel like that is an empowering feeling knowing that your coach is being a part of what you’re doing, not having levels of a hierarchy.””

“Ultimately, [Oregon is getting] consummate consistency. He’s hungry, he’s driven. He’s willing to put the work in. He improves from whatever areas, he attacks his weaknesses and plays within his strengths and he’s a great teammate.” - Venables said during the 2024 SEC Spring Meetings in Destin, FL.

From what I’ve seen, Akili Smith Jr. is underrated and should be a 5-star recruit. He has all of the physical tools that you would look for in a QB. He’s only going to get better. Hopefully our coaching staff continues to recruit him hard, like they do with other recruits, because I’m sure other schools will continue to do so.

The longer Coach Lanning and his family stay in Eugene and establish deep roots in the community, the more likely he’s going to stay long term. Similar to Coach Bellotti who reportedly turned down some blue bloods (e.g., USC, tOSU) to stay in Eugene because he didn’t want to uproot his family.

And USC is stuck with Lincoln Riley, whose teams do not play defense, and doesn’t seem to be a great recruiter.

Maybe Oregon would hire LR as a QB Coach…

I was thinking that he should join the military. Think of how fun basic training would be!

I can’t stand Oklahoma but Dillon Gabriel was spectacular. He will win a lot of games at Oregon and there is no QB that I’d rather have in big games next year. There is a reason that many are picking the Ducks to challenge Ohio State in the B1G.

Good teams build at the line of scrimmage. Bad teams select QB or skilled positions year after year…

Don’t forget the 2011 QB room: Darron Thomas Marcus Mariota Bryon Bennett

I would be shocked if Stein sticks around in Eugene for more than another year or two. He’s going to get an offer for a head coaching opportunity and, if the offense is as prolific this season, as some expect, it might be sooner rather than later. Let’s hope that he can win a B1G and National Championship at the University of Oregon, first.