NJDuck

Enough said. USC relegated to the Alamo Bowl. I guess Coward, oops I mean Cowherd, wants USC to avoid this scenario. Oh Cowherd, if they are predicted to go to the Alamo Bowl, they've already lost a few. 2023 College Football Playoff, Bowl Projections: Week 0 predictions from Brett McMurphy WWW.ON3.COM .

Josh Pate is high on Oregon at number 5 nationally. He sees what Oregon has this year. Josh Pate comes from SEC country. Yes, I went back and re-read Fish Duck articles showing the dynamics of this year's defensive side, with the talent positionally Lanning brought in. We will see the trickle down effect that will strengthened across every positional group on the field. We saw a glimpse in the Spring game. Not only Oregon's returning some talented/experience players, but also brought in top talent players with experience through the transfer portal, giving us 8 deep on the front line. With one of the top QBs in the country along with one of the most talented running back and receiver corps as well, wow! He is also bringing improvements on special teams as well. Special teams was made a priority this year. We only lost by 7 total points in those games against Washington and OSU, with a defense lacking with the right positional players and an injured Nix. Yes, one bad coaching call. But, thinking about the talented improvements/depth brought in this year's team, makes me dream of a Pac-12 championship and a CFP invite! Joe Lorig discusses special teams improvement, and Oregon's increased presence at the nickel Oregon Football: Joe Lorig talks special teams improvement for Ducks DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Joe Lorig discussed the need to improve on special teams, and how UO’s nickel spot is shaping up. Are Ducks a top-5 team in 2023? One CFB analyst thinks so Oregon Football: Ducks pegged as top-5 team by CFB analyst DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM One popular college football analyst has the Ducks ranked as a top-5 team going into the 2023 season. From Justin Hopkins: He sees it as well. Well if I haven’t gone full-homer by now I might as well leave no doubt. Look, Oregon is as good as any team in the top ten not named Georgia. But they will only go as far as the defense will take them. I think it will be better. And they have the bodies and depth to be physical at the point of attack. And while nobody has a JV schedule like Georgia, but Oregon’s a bit more favorable with 2 of its 4 toughest games at home. (USC and OSU) Overrated/Underrated: Pac-12 Edition - On3 WWW.ON3.COM The AP and coaches polls have five Pac-12 teams ranked in the top 20. Here is my take on which are underrated and overrated.

Excerpt from John Canzano's article: Can we momentarily pause the Bo Nix billboard debate to put one part of the argument to rest? The campaign is a win. The billboard at 315 Park Ave. South may not change the mind of a single Heisman Trophy voter. But what the thing has done is announce to every potential University of Oregon recruit: “You too, could end up towering above Manhattan someday.”. Again, this is more than just Heisman, it's much much more!

Chip Kelly Saddened By Collapse Of Pac-12 https://thespun.com/pac-12/ucla/chip-kelly-saddened-by-collapse-of-pac-12

DL Matayo Uiagalelei's work ethic and skill set opening eyes during fall camp Though it's only his freshman season at Oregon, former four-star recruit Matayo Uiaglelei is opening eyes with his skillset and work ethic. DL Matayo Uiagalelei's work ethic and skill set opening eyes during fall camp 247SPORTS.COM Though it's only his freshman season at Oregon, former four-star recruit Matayo Uiaglelei is opening eyes with his skillset and work ethic.

'We can roll eight-deep;' Oregon OC Will Stein discusses offensive line depth One of the primary things to watch throughout fall camp and early in the season for the Oregon Ducks is the offensive line play. After a stellar 2022 season that saw one of the nation’s best offensive lines deployed in Eugene, there will be a changing of the guard in 2023. Four of the five starters from last year’s unit have graduated from the program, and while there is a lot of talent to replace them, the cohesion will need to be smoothed out early in the season. After Oregon’s 15th fall practice on Monday, offensive coordinator Will Stein was asked about that cohesion and the depth at the position in particular. What he had to say should be encouraging to Duck fans: “I think we can roll eight deep, I really do,” Stein said. While fans may be mostly concerned about the first five guys who will take the field up front, Stein’s confidence in the depth at OL is great to hear. With so much physicality in the trenches, it is rare that you make it through a season relying on only five linemen, so being able to go to as many as eight guys should keep the team rocking and rolling on the front line, especially at the start of the season. Oregon Football: Ducks OC Will Stein discusses offensive line depth DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM “I feel good about our depth. A lot of guys have played and there’s been some newcomers come on that we’re excited about.”

If there’s one thing that Oregon Duck fans love to brag about, it’s their own team’s ability to recruit. While Eugene hasn’t been a hot spot for top recruits for decades on end like some other top schools in the nation, the Ducks have been able to recruit as well as just about anyone over the past decade. While there may still be some hard feelings, Oregon fans can thank Willie Taggart and Mario Cristobal for that development. The torch has been passed to Dan Lanning, who’s done a tremendous job in his couple of years as head coach of the Ducks, putting together a pair of classes that are highly touted. He appears to be well on his way to doing the same in 2024, as well. The landscape going forward is bound to be different, though, and that could be a good thing for the Ducks. With Oregon making a move to the Big Ten in 2024, its recruiting base is expected to grow with the prominence of the program. No longer will the Ducks be competing with just the USC Trojans for conference supremacy on the trail. No longer will recruits who go to Oregon be forced to accept the fact that their games are on fewer national broadcasts and played late at night on the East Coast. Instead, the Ducks will now become one of the top members in the preeminent conference in the nation. That will have a positive impact. So when we look at the past recruiting success for Oregon before making the jump to a new conference, how does it compare to their future peers? We know that the Ducks have held the No. 1 recruiting ranking in the Pac-12 for the majority of recent history, but does that hold a candle to what schools like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State do on the recruiting trail? In order to find this out, I looked at the following over the past five years of results to get a sense of where things stand: Accumulative Recruiting Scores Average Recruiting Scores Per Year Highest National Ranking Lowest National Ranking Number of 5-star Recruits I think it gives us a pretty good sense of who the best recruiting powers in the new Big Ten will be going forward. Take a look at what I found: How does Oregon’s recruiting prowess stack up in the Big Ten? DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Oregon has largely dominated recruiting in the Pac-12 over the past five years, but how does that compare to the top teams in the Big Ten on the trail?

Impressive, two building effect in Dallas!

I believe there needs to be a nationwide NIL federal regulations. What we are now seeing is state legislators, such as in Missouri passing advantages NIL. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs advantageous NIL bill into law Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs advantageous NIL bill into law WWW.ON3.COM Add Missouri to the list of states that have signed sweeping NIL reform on the local level aimed directly at bypassing oversight by the NCAA.

What factors into choosing Oregon's starting five offensive linemen? How will Oregon land on its starting five for the offensive line? OL coach A'lique Terry gives some insight into that discussion. What factors into choosing Oregon's starting five offensive linemen? 247SPORTS.COM How will Oregon land on its starting five for the offensive line? OL coach A'lique Terry gives some insight into that discussion.

I agree with this reader's response. What Barnes doesn't fully understand, it was more than just the money for Oregon. Readers respond: Big Ten move involved more than money Readers respond: Big Ten move involved more than money WWW.OREGONLIVE.COM Letters to the Editor can be submitted to letters@oregonian.com with full name and place of residence.

Just in time. Nice for the Ducks! The Oregon Ducks will be helping the Texas Tech Red Raiders break in some new turf at Jones AT&T Stadium on September 9 when the two top-25 teams face off in Lubbock for a Saturday night showdown. According to the Lubbock Avalance Journal, Texas Tech is nearing completion of a field renovation that saw new turf put into place. The project is expected to be completed sometime next week. Texas Tech placing new turf in Lubbock ahead of Oregon Ducks game DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM The Texas Tech Red Raiders are completing a turf renovation should will be ready for their early-season matchup with the Oregon Ducks.

Oregon vs. Washington named among biggest 'revenge games' in 2023 This year Oregon will be sending the defeated huskies to their own locker room whimpering with their tails between their legs! Beating the dogs before both goes to the Big Ten in 2024 will be sweat! Go Ducks! Oregon vs. Washington named among biggest ‘revenge games’ in 2023 DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Oregon vs. Washington named among biggest ‘revenge games’ in 2023

Agree. Of course he would say that. OSU was the one left behind. At this moment, Stanford is willing to join the ACC for free. They see no value to try and resurrect the Pac-12 from the ashes.

JP is not alone in his assessment. From Barrett Sallee: Oregon Football: Are the Ducks being underrated going into 2023? DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM The Ducks are ranked No. 15 in many of the major polls going into 2023, but expectations in Eugene are higher than that. So which subset of people is wrong? Are Oregon fans way too confident in their team going forward, or is the national media underrating the Ducks so far? According to CBS reporter Barrett Sallee, the latter is true. From Justin Hopkins: Overrated/Underrated: Pac-12 Edition - On3 WWW.ON3.COM The AP and coaches polls have five Pac-12 teams ranked in the top 20. Here is my take on which are underrated and overrated. Oregon: Underrated AP: 15 Coaches: 15 Well if I haven’t gone full-homer by now I might as well leave no doubt. Look, Oregon is as good as any team in the top ten not named Georgia. But they will only go as far as the defense will take them. I think it will be better. And they have the bodies and depth to be physical at the point of attack. And while nobody has a JV schedule like Georgia, but Oregon’s a bit more favorable with 2 of its 4 toughest games at home. (USC and OSU) Justin Hopkins says USC and Washington are overrated. J.D. Pickell has Oregon vs USC for Pac-12 championship, but picking USC over the Ducks (Boo, Hiss!! Oregon will prevail!!!). Again, I am so glad I will be attending the USC game in Autzen. Go Ducks!

What joining the Big Ten means from an Oregon fan and media perspective The Big Ten has expanded again to make a pod of four teams out on the West Coast. Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington will all begin play in 2024, so things are moving fast and we are left to figure out what it all means. For Ohio State and Big Ten fans, there’s plenty of reasons to get excited about these additions, but there is of course, reservations because of tradition being shucked aside and all that comes with such a change at breakneck speed. Big Ten expansion from an Oregon Ducks fan, media perspective BUCKEYESWIRE.USATODAY.COM We sat down with @zacharycneel of @DucksWire to talk about how Oregon fans and media members feel about joining the Big Ten. We also give you a little more about the Oregon program...

Transfer TE Casey Kelly is integrating into the Ducks' offense quickly Oregon Football: Casey Kelly is integrating into Ducks offense quickly DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM “Casey is a super tough kid. He’s a guy who comes in with experience, so the learning curve with that is much smaller.”

ESPN President of Content expands on reports of network's failed talks with Pac-12 ESPN President of Content expands on reports of network's failed talks with Pac-12 - On3 WWW.ON3.COM .

STANFORD INFORMS REMAINING PAC-4 TEAMS IT WILL JOIN THE ACC FOR FREE Stanford University has consistently been behind the conference realignment eight ball. While the rest of the Pac-12 Conference has abandoned ship over the past month, Stanford was caught napping. And now it’s paying a substantial financial price. According to the Associated Press, Stanford informed the remaining Pac-4 schools that they’re desperate to leave for the ACC. How desperate? Desperate enough that they’re essentially willing to join the conference for free. Literally. For free. The AP’s source said that leaders from Stanford and the other three schools spoke Thursday, with the Cardinal saying they would leave for a significantly discounted portion of the ACC’s media rights fees. Or for none of it, assuming they’re invited. Seems like Oregon State’s goal of keeping the schools together doesn’t have much hope of coming to fruition. Stanford Informs Remaining PAC-4 Teams It Will Join The ACC For Free – OutKick WWW.OUTKICK.COM Stanford reportedly told the remaining Pac-12 Conference universities that they would join the ACC for a huge discount or nothing.

Most would agree that the current system of college football is not working, and not sustainable. Over the last decade or so, things have been heading downhill, and quickly. With the introduction of name, image, and likeness for athletes, the prevalence of the transfer portal, and the rapid speed at which conference realignment is taking place, the sport looks nothing like it did a decade ago. That’s not to say that any of those things are bad in their own right, but the combination of them all has completely shifted the landscape from what it was created to be over a century ago. Now, you have a system that looks much more similar to the NFL than it does to college athletics and athletes that look far more like professionals than they do amateurs. The trickle-down effect of this has an impact on players -- mainly in sports outside of football -- family members, and fans. So what do we do? The idea is based on the introduction of relegation into the world of college football. Much like European Soccer, it would create a hierarchy of leagues in the sport, and give teams the ability to move up or down between leagues each year based on how well they play. It’s complicated, controversial, and hard to sell. However, if you take the time to understand it, you may buy in. I have long been a proponent of the relegation system in college football because I think it gives the sport a unique twist. I may be in the minority with that opinion, but I know that I’m not alone. Let’s dive into the relegation format and explain how it would look in college football. From there, I may be able to convince you that this is the way moving forward. Should college football adopt a relegation system going forward? DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM The current state of college football is unsustainable. Is a relegation system the answer going forward. It’s not as crazy as it seems.

Both Stanford and SMU are pulling out their big guns for a push to help get into the ACC. As we all know, Notre Dame is pushing hard for Stanford and Cal. I think it will be very difficult to break through the blockade of the 4 universities not wanting this to happen. Again, show me the money is the big issue. Not worth the traveling time and money it will take if this happens. George W. Bush, Condoleeza Rice Lobbying for SMU, Stanford in Conference Realignment, per Source https://www.si.com/college/2023/08/16/bush-rice-lobbying-smu-stanford-realignment Stanford is 'optimistic' they can get the votes to join the ACC as soon as this week Stanford's head coach has already expressed that the program will end up in a Power 5 conference https://www.si.com/college/stanford/football/stanford-is-optimistic-they-can-get-the-votes-to-join-the-acc-as-soon-as-this-week

One of the best tools that college football fans have at their disposal each and every season is the ESPN Football Power Index. For those unfamiliar with ESPN’s FPI, it is a ranking that “relies on past performance, on offense and defense, returning and transfer production and past recruiting data for players on the roster to form a rating.” Virtually, it’s ESPN’s way of declaring the top teams in the nation, looking at their roster, their schedule, their percent chance to win each game, and where that ultimately lands them after the season comes to an end. Following the end of the spring football season across the nation, ESPN’s FPI gave a percent chance for each team in the Pac-12 conference to become bowl eligible, and ultimately win the conference. However, in the fast few months with the addition of several new transfers for different teams, those odds have changed. Fans of the Oregon Ducks should be happy. Take a look at where ESPN now projects each Pac-12 team will finish up in 2023. Oregon Football: Pac-12 championship odds change according to ESPN FPI DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM USC is still favored to win the Pac-12 title, per ESPN. However, the Oregon Ducks are quickly making up ground. Jon Wilner's prediction is so off, his vote on the polls. On3 Justin Hopkins prediction is more in line.

I do agree with Justin Hopkins on his observations with the five schools in the Pac-12. With a healthy Bo Nix, offensive fire power will be tops. The X-factor will be a much improved defense. Oregon: Underrated AP: 15 Coaches: 15 Well if I haven’t gone full-homer by now I might as well leave no doubt. Look, Oregon is as good as any team in the top ten not named Georgia. But they will only go as far as the defense will take them. I think it will be better. And they have the bodies and depth to be physical at the point of attack. And while nobody has a JV schedule like Georgia, but Oregon’s a bit more favorable with 2 of its 4 toughest games at home. (USC and OSU)

Oliver Luck reportedly determining expansion candidates for the Pac-12 Pac-12 expansion appears to be a legitimate possibility for the Pac-12 again Williams explained that Luck will compile a list of around 12 programs who will be considered. He also divulged that just because expansion discussions are happening again, doesn't mean that the conference won't end up merging with the American or Mountain West. If Luck is somehow able to pull off expansion for the Pac-12 in about a week and possibly track down a media rights deal in the process, it certainly feels fair to question George Kliavkoff's efforts over the past year. https://www.si.com/college/stanford/football/oliver-luck-reportedly-determining-expansion-candidates-for-the-pac-12