Oregon Has a Leach Problem

Cameron Johansson Editorials

Washington State head coach Mike Leach has graced the Pac-12 with his presence and entertaining press conferences since 2012. Before arriving in Pullman, Leach coached the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a then-competitive Big 12 Conference where he was quite successful. Overall, at Tech, Leach went 84-43 from 2000 until 2009, when he was relieved of his duties. Over the …

Oregon Ducks Football: The Cougar Conundrum

Darren Perkins Editorials

Oregon’s lost to Washington State has brought Oregon Duck fans clarity on exactly where the program stands: Improving, but not there yet. The loss to the Cougars exposed, among other things, the Ducks lack of depth at receiver and lack of defensive play-makers. Most importantly, it showed the lack of experience Oregon has at bouncing back after an emotional victory …

Ponder Point: Can the Young Ducks Avoid “Cougin’ it”?

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Editorials

A pleasant progression to watch in this first half of the season is the mental growth of the team, as Coach Mario Cristobal molds them physically and mentally into a winner. The previously unknown spotlight got a little too bright for them in the game against Stanford, yet many of us would assert that the win over the Huskies would …

Does College Football Need the “Pirate Playoff?”

Jon Joseph Editorials

Mike Leach, The Pirate, was roundly criticized when he suggested that college football (CFB) should have a 64-team playoff. But is this idea of his really off course? With Texas A&M slipping Oregon the weenie late at night, Ducks fans have been treated to two glorified scrimmages, with another cupcake on the menu this Saturday. My guess: Oregon’s season ticket …

Oregon Must Replace Coach but Maintain Winning Formula

Darren Perkins Editorials

It is rightly said that adversity brings opportunity. And when you are a cutting edge, forward thinking, innovation spewing machine like the University of Oregon, you don’t let adversity bring you down, you let it propel you to greater things. Beloved Ducks, there shall be no further whining and crying about the decision of Willie Taggart to leave.  After all, …

Ducks’ Season Becomes One Big “What Might Have Been”

Darren Perkins Editorials

Protect the quarterback. It’s Football 101. It’s football gospel. If football had ten commandments it would be etched into one of two stone tablets, just like the original Ten Commandments. But apparently protecting the quarterback in Eugene has gone the way of that mysterious 3rd tablet, as illustrated by the classic Mel Brooks movie The History of the World:   …

Three Reasons Oregon-ASU Never Became a Rivalry

Nathan Roholt Editorials

Amid the chaos following their game, the two coaches ran toward each other for a common ritual of their profession: the post-game handshake. While this interaction is normally brief and emotionally distant, after this particular game one coach, Arizona State’s Todd Graham, chose this moment to voice his contempt for the coach he was facing, Washington State’s Mike Leach. Broadcast …

Jokers, Comedians and Petty Thieves

Mike Merrell Editorials

Mike Merrell’s Three-and-Out As the 2015 college football season turns the corner toward the home stretch, the Oregon Ducks are finally starting to hit on at least six or seven cylinders, but as far as a playoff berth goes – it is too little too late. Still, it’s turning out to be a reasonably decent season for a year in which the …

Valentine’s Day Around the Pac-12 Conference

Kim Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Good morning, Ducks! Next week at this time you will be doing one of two things. If you shopped early for a Valentine’s Day gift for your significant baby cakes, you will be enjoying the morning. If you waited until the last minute, your Valentines morning may look a little different. But I have confidence in you, Duck! As the …

The Pac-12 Days of Christmas

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

*Please note that this story is completely fictitious, and meant to be nothing more than a satirical look at the Conference of Champions. Any and all references, conversations, and situational humor is strictly fiction, and in no way depicts any actual situations that have occurred in real life. This was done as a collaboration by FishDuck.com writers Caleb Couturie and …

Three Elements of Success in College Football That Nobody Talks About

Alex Kirby Analysis

Athletic directors at major schools all over the country are paid handsomely to know what makes a great college football coach, yet time and time again we see coaches fail — sometimes spectacularly — to bring success and a winning attitude to campus. So what’s the answer? Is it recruiting ability, X’s and O’s, enthusiasm, or something else? Some coaches …