Bye Week Comes at a Fortunate Time for Injury-Decimated Ducks

Will Denner FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Ducks narrowly escaped Pullman, Wash. with a road win against the Washington State Cougars last Saturday on a day that will be remembered as “Survivor Saturday.” Along with Florida State, Alabama, and Oklahoma, the Ducks faced an opponent inferior on paper, yet all four of the nation’s top teams legitimately looked like an upset was very much in the …

Stock Ticker From Around the Pac-12

Pat Pannu FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Another weekend is upon us and it’s time to take stock of teams that are up, down or right there in the middle. One of the teams listed in today’s report has a bye this week, but the same issues might be present this coming Thursday. Down Low Oregon Ducks – Injuries and defensive concerns galore  Give credit to Washington …

Mike Merrell’s Three-and-Out: Winston, Bruins and Ducks

Mike Merrell FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

There are those Duck fans with the attitude that anything less than a three touchdown win is just unacceptable, and they are heaping criticism on the Duck coaching staff. Some even go so far as to say that the only reason Oregon beat WSU was a favorable non-call on pass interference toward the end of the game. One writer even …

Ducks Run Defense Will Be the Difference Maker of the 2014 Season

Rob Liggins FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Having a Heisman-hopeful, such as quarterback Marcus Mariota, is always exciting for a team. However, the timeless saying “Defense wins Championships” has been proven correct time and time again. With that being said, the Duck defense — which is arguably the best it has been since the departure of Defensive Coordinator Nick Alliotti — is possibly what could finally land …

A Fishy Examination of the History of Washington State University Football

Kim Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Hello Ducks! Our boys take to the road this week, opening Pac-12 play with a trip to the Papoose, or whatever they call the part of Eastern Washington that Washington State University reluctantly calls home. We have discussed Mike Leach’s unfortunate description of his players’ lady friends as fat little girlfriends while at Texas Tech. To be fair, beyond a failure of …

Northwest Schools to Introduce New Fight Songs!

Kim Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Did you hear the news? Due to the flap over the Washington Redskins’ moniker and the onrush of political correctness everywhere, all major college programs are going to be assigned new fight songs. No longer will the U-Dub band be allowed to play “Tequila.”  Washington State won’t be able to play “Fight, Fight, Fight, for Washington State.”  OSU won’t be able …

Aaaand They’re Off!

Kim Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s the first Saturday in May and that means its time for the Kentucky Derby.  The food, the mint juleps, the pageantry … All of which make the Kentucky Derby the most exciting two minutes in sports … east of watching Beaver fans leave the Civil War early.  This year’s Run for the Roses is unusually special for the Pac-12. …

Pac-12 Power Positions: A 12-pack of PAC-12 Fleet-Footed Wide Receivers

Pat Pannu FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Months away from the start of football season, what’s a football fan to do to feed the addiction to college football than to look at the best returning players for next year. The Pac-12 has a lot of amazing talent coming back at every position for the 2014 football season, and wide receivers rightly make up a skilled part of …

Calliste Leads Ducks Away From the Abyss

Dano Dunn FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

For a team in disarray on offense and playing matador defense during the last 5 games — all losses — Jason Calliste, the 6-2 senior guard from the Detroit area, said “Enough!” by dumping 20 on the Cougs, on 8-10 shooting (4-of-6 from behind the arc), to lead a 71-44 Duck victory.  Had the Ducks lost to last place Wazzu, the season would …

Predictive Recruiting Analysis: Pac-12 Rankings, Top Recruits

Chris Charbonnier FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With the 2014 recruiting cycle ending in five weeks, those teams atop the conference recruiting rankings are beginning to separate themselves.  Currently sitting atop these rankings is none other than the Oregon Ducks.  In question, however, is whether or not they can maintain their position.  What about your Pac-12 school of choice?  Here’s the objective data, commentary and individual school …

Bye Week Viewing Guide for the Discerning Duck

Kim Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

fantasyfootballwire.com For the player, there is nothing like a bye week to get the aches and pains healed.  For the fan, there is nothing like a bye week to reintroduce your children to Daddy and find out if you’re still married. But you know as well as I that you aren’t going to spend the weekend working on Honey Do’s …