It is my belief that if this season is to be considered a “success,” the Ducks must at least advance to the CFP semifinals. Here are my thoughts on all potential outcomes:

A First-Round Loss:

The only way the Ducks could ...

Semifinals or Bust for the Ducks

Darren, for Happy to be HappyToBeADuck, the thought that OBD's don't win their first Natty has not entered my mind!

This old Duck is a homer whose 30,000 foot view comes thru green and yellow colored glasses. Coupled with Duck bias filled to the brim with confidence for 4 more CFP victories.

First Round Game:

I will be didappointed if the Ducks dont cover the spread, Dante plays past the first 2nd half Duck possession and the #3's and #4's don't get significant playing time.

Second Round Game:

I will be disappointed if the Duck D allows TT 17 points. DL has plenty of bulletin board material for both sides of the ball to be motivated.

Semifinals:

If OU or Bama get past IU in their second round game, I will be disappointed. This Duck fan wants a rematch with IU and a chance to wipe that smirk off Cignettis face. (He has earned the right to wear that smirk. Now OBD's need to earn the right to wipe that smirk off into the off srason.)

Natty:

Whether it's Georgia or tOSU in the title game it matters not. The last time we faced either of these teams they wiped the field clean with the Ducks. That is enoigh reason for any team.

End Result:

Oregon Ducks

National Chsmpions!

I agree Darren.

"Four more" should be the mantra now.

Agreed, JMU should be Liberty 2.0.

TT, they are like sc, Iowa, ewe dub. Games we shouldn't lose and so far Dan has held serve since season 2.

Semi, I hope it is Cig and frigid inside Mercedes Benz stadium for the serving of revenge.

Natty, let someone else leave in the bride's maid outfit, my closet is full enough.

My expectation going into this year with no context, was one playoff win. I definitely want to win it all, and think we have a shot, but it really is a crapshoot once you enter the tournament.

Context is everything. If we win the first and second round, but then lose by 1 point to an undefeated team that goes on to win at all, it would be tough not to call that a great season. Likewise, winning against JMU, but then losing to Tech would meet my original expectation, but would also be very disappointing.

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity…but good opportunity is way better than bad 😆

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by JabbaNoBargain

I always find the idea of _______ or bust to be an interesting mentality. The season is a book and each game is its own little chapter in that book. If Oregon wins the National Championship this year that makes this an INCREDIBLE year and you put that book on the shelf as a part of a longer Oregon Football history.

But if we fail to reach the title game or a semi final game or whatever was this season just a waste? Personally, I have enjoyed the journey so far this year (minus the one bump) and I am excited to see how it all ends, though I would personally love to see it end on a win and there is only one way that happens.

Maybe I just don't get on the "bust" mentality. I want a national title as much as any other Duck fan but I know that each season brings its own story and I'm here for that.

1 minute ago, David Marsh said:

The season is a book and each game is its own little chapter in that book.

Yes, the season is a success. 11- 1 with nail biters vs Penn St. and Iowa, plus closeness vs ewe dub. Exciting football.

But we need unmitigated success!

SCO 🦆s

6 hours ago, HappyToBeADuck said:

Darren, for Happy to be HappyToBeADuck, the thought that OBD's don't win their first Natty has not entered my mind!

This old Duck is a homer whose 30,000 foot view comes thru green and yellow colored glasses. Coupled with Duck bias filled to the brim with confidence for 4 more CFP victories.

First Round Game:

I will be didappointed if the Ducks dont cover the spread, Dante plays past the first 2nd half Duck possession and the #3's and #4's don't get significant playing time.

Second Round Game:

I will be disappointed if the Duck D allows TT 17 points. DL has plenty of bulletin board material for both sides of the ball to be motivated.

Semifinals:

If OU or Bama get past IU in their second round game, I will be disappointed. This Duck fan wants a rematch with IU and a chance to wipe that smirk off Cignettis face. (He has earned the right to wear that smirk. Now OBD's need to earn the right to wipe that smirk off into the off srason.)

Natty:

Whether it's Georgia or tOSU in the title game it matters not. The last time we faced either of these teams they wiped the field clean with the Ducks. That is enoigh reason for any team.

End Result:

Oregon Ducks

National Chsmpions!

Sounds good to me! Let's just get this over with.

4 hours ago, Steven A said:

I agree Darren.

"Four more" should be the mantra now.

Agreed, JMU should be Liberty 2.0.

TT, they are like sc, Iowa, ewe dub. Games we shouldn't lose and so far Dan has held serve since season 2.

Semi, I hope it is Cig and frigid inside Mercedes Benz stadium for the serving of revenge.

Natty, let someone else leave in the bride's maid outfit, my closet is full enough.

Yeah, Texas Tech should be in the category you mentioned. But. Ya never know....

2 hours ago, JabbaNoBargain said:

My expectation going into this year with no context, was one playoff win. I definitely want to win it all, and think we have a shot, but it really is a crapshoot once you enter the tournament.

Context is everything. If we win the first and second round, but then lose by 1 point to an undefeated team that goes on to win at all, it would be tough not to call that a great season. Likewise, winning against JMU, but then losing to Tech would meet my original expectation, but would also be very disappointing.

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity…but good opportunity is way better than bad 😆

Well, we'll see if Lanning's "peaking at the right time" plan pans out.

2 hours ago, David Marsh said:

I always find the idea of _______ or bust to be an interesting mentality. The season is a book and each game is its own little chapter in that book. If Oregon wins the National Championship this year that makes this an INCREDIBLE year and you put that book on the shelf as a part of a longer Oregon Football history.

But if we fail to reach the title game or a semi final game or whatever was this season just a waste? Personally, I have enjoyed the journey so far this year (minus the one bump) and I am excited to see how it all ends, though I would personally love to see it end on a win and there is only one way that happens.

Maybe I just don't get on the "bust" mentality. I want a national title as much as any other Duck fan but I know that each season brings its own story and I'm here for that.

Sure, we've enjoyed the ride of the season and what each and every game brings. Im not discounting that.

Simply put, I feel if the Ducks lose to Texas Tech that they fell short of where I believe they should be. If they get to the semis then in my book they've have gotten to where they should be. Anything more than that of course would be dreamy.

And, embellishing in the title a little with a word like "bust" to hopefully draw interest? No, not me! 😛😉

21 minutes ago, Darren Perkins said:

And, embellishing in the title a little with a word like "bust" to hopefully draw interest? No, not me! 😛😉

Oh I've been there!

And... yeah a loss to Texas Tech would really suck.

A chance to play in the semi's would make my season. Never expected to win it all or even have a shot for the finals so everything after TTU is icing on the cake.