Pac10again

If your prediction comes true, and Lanning wins us a natty, then bolts to the NFL (which is plausible) then you Mr. FishDuck will go down as a legend.

I think there will be an 8-team playoff now. 2 from the BIG, 2 from the SEC, Notre Dame, Pac 10 champ, Big 12 champ, ACC champ. or something very similar.

"How do we keep him, and the recruits? We are starting to see the fall out now." I have no Idea. If Ducks win the Pac-12, and play Georgia tough, say goodbye to Lanning. He will head to the SEC or BIG with the first decent head coaching position open. I never thought about that until you asked.

Making playoffs in the PAC-10 Beat Utah, Arizona, and Washington. Making playoffs in the BIG- Beat Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin. Thats my thoughts.

I agree that UCLA is finished in the BIG

Don't hate me. Freezing weather, and much stiffer recruiting wars against Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Michigan State. If Oregon is a 3-loss team for more than a few years in the BIG then we're finished as recruiters. Today's kids want instant gratification. In the Pac we will be king. In the Big we're just little brother... I think we have a serious chance in playoffs in the PAC-10, no chance in the Big. Yes, we caught Ohio State flat once. But they beat the team that killed us twice in the bowl game. They are that good every year. Just saying...

Utah is easily the clear choice for top spot. They humiliated us twice last season. We may be better this year, but Utah is a bonified top 5 team nationally right now. Until we beat them, I think it's a fair assessment.

utah is pretty loaded on the lines and backfield and have a proven QB

I think the writer who placed us at #4 has a legit concern with Travis Dye leaving. I have been concerned with that as well. It's his heart, work ethic, and leadership that will be missing. The run game is a huge unknown for us. Better than average talent but yet unproven. But Bo will light it up against the Pac-12 defenses allowing the run game time to develop ahead of the UCLA- UTAH games. I am concerned with BYU so early, however. Crazy schedule in my opinion.

Losses to Georgia, 50/50 games BYU, UCLA, and UTAH. IF we develop a run game like most in here believe we will, and if BO lights it up like I believe he will, we could legitimately go 11-1 and be playing Alabama. But I need to see the Defensive line and run game this year first. Georgia will be telling.

I definitely want to stay in the PAC-10 if we go to a 16-team playoff.

I gave Georgia 7 points for having 100,000 fans there in what is essentially a home game. 3 points for having a more experienced coach. I gave 7 more because they will come after us with same intensity as they would playing Alabama. (Maybe more). They will run baby run. I look to go down by two TD's quickly, then play them even the rest of the way. I agree they aren't 17.5 points better talent wise. On a neutral field, a year from now, it would be a toss-up IMO.

I agree. And if we stop scheduling the best teams in the country before conference play, we have a great chance with playoffs every year. Oregon practically has to be undefeated to get an invite. How often will we win the Big 10 playing in ice bowls at Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State? I do not believe we go to playoffs ever again if we move to the Big.

I think Utah comes out of the South undefeated. May have a loss to Florida's athletes to start season. Games at hot, humid, Florida. But they will face Ducks without a Pac-12 loss, I think. Ducks lose to Georgia, at Georgia, by 17. BYU will test our defensive line. We win a nail biter. Then like Utah we go undefeated in conference play. We have an SEC coach, and SEC QB, and the #1 nationally ranked O line, along with a top five nationally ranked linebacker squad. Beat Utah and that resume will put us in playoffs against Bama. To optimistic? Maybe, but show me why.

They see a sinking ship and had a chance at a lifeboat.

" The whole season depends on if we will be QB limited." Bo has seen the best defenses in college football numerous times. His numbers came against elite pash rushers and defensive backs (SEC). He will shred the pac-10. I have seen many SEC teams play live and trust me there is no comparison. I lived in Arkansas. Bo is used to much bigger and faster athletes. If our run game is even average, we will roll. If it is as good as many in here think it will be, were headed to playoffs. Providing we give Georgia a real game-and Utah beats Florida. First season I've been excited about in a while. Lanning doesn't even need to be a genius, just a great motivator with our superior talent. IMO

Positives: Bo Nix played numerous games against SEC defenses! Oregon has best defense in conference. = more offensive opportunities. Most talented receivers ever to step foot in Eugene. Pac 12 defensive backs are small and slow as a whole. (Nix played numerous games in SEC against future NFL defensive backs week after week) Oregon has very solid O line. Oregon receivers find out at Georgia what it takes to make it. They will be better for the experience. * Great conference schedule Possible Negatives: Ridiculous preseason that includes Georgia and BYU. Easily the best two teams we face all season before the Pac-12 championship game. Georgia will hit us just like they are playing Bama! Bank it. This game is just that big for them. PRAYING FOR NO INJURIES Running game let down? Travis Dye was much more important than many think. Question marks? Lanning: He has never head coached a game in his life. Having half your defense be selected in first three rounds of the NFL draft can make you look like a genius. He may be, but its unproven. Great recruiter though! But we've been there before. I believe Lanning is a huge improvement but... Bo Nix is his own worst enemy. He's the reason we can make playoffs---or not even make it to Pac-12 championship game. (unforced errors) My prediction: Bo Nix and his receivers put up ridiculous numbers, keeping the run game afloat. Defense (barring injuries) tops the conference and finishes in top 15 nationally Oregon plays in Pac-12 championship with only 1 loss, 1 lucky win, and 1 nail biter win over a crappy team on the road. Oregon vs. Utah? Oregon wins by 3. Oregon will be a much better team this year, Utah not as good. Should make for a great game. This is where the experience of playing Georgia will help. Can a 1 loss Oregon team make playoffs if Utah also loses to Florida? Maybe, but I doubt it. Can Oregon make playoffs If Oregon's 1 loss is ugly, and to a team that may be in playoffs again? NO. Utah has to beat Florida. Oregon has to give Georgia a game to remember. A hard-fought loss won't kill the Ducks but a beatdown will. Oregon in playoffs? 25% chance Oregon wins Pac-12 and goes to major bowl. 60%

Oregon has two defining games for their season. Oregon vs Georgia at Georgia. and Utah vs Florida at Florida. Oregon can lose by 17 to Number 3 Georgia and still go to playoffs. However, that may not be true if Utah also loses to Florida.

Agreed. I should have ended my question differently. Without an undefeated season and a strong non-conference win, is a Pac 10 title the best we can do?

I am hoping Utah beats Florida. An Oregon loss to Georgia will not hurt the conference like a Utah loss to Florida will. If both Utah and Oregon lose you can put a fork in the Pac 10.

The Pac was already becoming irrelevant in football. USC and UCLA going to the BIG is a dagger. Utah will always win the South. Oregon will always win the North. Due to superior coaching in Utah and superior athletes in Oregon. I do not see any way that the new Pac 10 without USC is better off. I'm wondering if the new ceiling for us Duck fans is winning a pac-10 title now?

Herbert is hands down the most talented QB Oregon has ever had. Herbert was as cool and collected in the pros, as Mariota was in college. Mariota with our receivers now wins the Natty. But Herbert will win a Superbowl. I know this may be a bit aggressive, but I think you could replace Brady with Herbert and the Buccaneers would win just as many games. (I have them and Buffalo as Superbowl favorites)? Imagine Herberts numbers had he played at Ohio State or Oklahoma with their wide-open passing attacks and receivers!

I agree there is a lot of pressure now for Mr. Lanning. I think the real pressure is on the QB coach to present the best QB possible. Lanning's pressure will be to fire him if he doesn't. Nix is the first QB we have ever had that has faced the SEC defenses before. He should, and I believe he will, shred the PAC 12 secondaries.