Once again, the B1G and the Pac-12 have moved in lock-step. This time in the two conferences’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the B1G and Pac-12 powers-that-be made the very difficult decision to take a big (no pun intended) financial hit in order to err, if they err at all, on the side of their student-athletes’ safety. No fall …
The Pac-12 in 2020: An Indebted Year of Football Promise
DROP YOUR SOCKS AND HOLD ONTO YOUR JOCKS! As all Ducks fans are well aware, the College Basketball Santa ran into a COVID-19 blockade. No soup, or at least only watered down soup, for you! Sabrina was dissed; the Pac-12 was stiffed. It was CBB coal and not oranges, for Pac-12 boys and girls. Now, with the college football season …
Fun, Fun, Fun ‘Till Covid Takes the 2020 Season Away
Now is the summer of our discontent, to be made glorious by the return of ball in the fall? Brothers and Sisters, Duck campers, is anyone having fun? Including the young men who play college football in The Conference of Champions? I for one, am simply bummed. Please allow a grumpy, old man to count the ways. COVID-19 — I hold …
Does a Conference-Only Schedule Benefit the Ducks?
(To the tune of “Maybe Baby” by Buddy Holly and The Crickets, 1957) Maybe baby, we’ll play ball Maybe baby, later this fall Maybe baby, we’ll see ball one day (see ball one day) It’s funny honey, COVID don’t care It never listens to Larry’s prayer Maybe baby, we’ll ball anyway (ball anyway) Bison not trippin’, makes me sad Brutus …
Would an Eight-Team Playoff Be All That Great?
“All we are saying, is give us a chance.” In 2025, the current agreement that governs the College Football Playoff (CFP) comes to a close. The final CFP National Championship under the existing format will be played in January 2026. Concurrent with the end of the Playoff, the lucrative ESPN Playoff media rights agreement also expires. Thereafter, the majority of …
The National Championship Formula for Oregon? It’s in the Stars
Coach: “Son, this is your 5th year in the program.” Student Athlete: “Spot on, Coach. Gimme five, my man.” Coach: “Give you five? What, as a once 5-star recruit, have you given me or this team? I can’t figure out whether you are lacking in intelligence or you’re simply apathetic.” Student Athlete: “Coach, I don’t know and I don’t care.” …
How the Pac-12 Went Off the Rails and the SEC Got on Track
Once I had a conference, I made it run, Made it run just fine. Once I had a conference and Keith Jackson called it a King. Brother, can you spare a dime? (To the tune of “Brother Can You Spare a Dime?”) In 1970, a USC team led by coach John McKay (an Oregon graduate) went into Tuscaloosa and played like …
Do the Ducks Have 2021 National Championship Potential?
“So be true to your school now, Just like you would to your girl or guy.” This off-season, there have been a lot of Duck fans taking the Beach Boys’ advice and being “true to their school,” many predicting a Natty in 2021 or the near future. Not so fast, my feathered friends. Can the Ducks Beat the Best? I …
Gambling With Larry
(To the tune of “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers) On a warm summer’s eve In a manse in San Francisco I met up with a gambler He was looking slick and chic. We both took a flute Of champagne from his table And as we were sippin’ He began to speak. He said, “Son, I’ve made a livin’ Out of …
The Big 22: Creating an “All-Hat” Conference?
Lay a map of Texas over Western Europe and you will find that The Lone Star State covers Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of Belgium, France, Italy, Croatia and the Czech Republic. And the great state of Texas is 28 times larger than the Green Mountain State, Vermont. That’s a lot of hat and a lot of cattle, …
Dollars, (Non)Sense and Preseason Rankings
In my previous articles, I’ve written a lot about dollars and cents. But enough about that. Now, I’m ready to talk college football (CFB). Let’s talk Ducks football. … But I hope you will forgive me a short interlude, an inquiry into whether the following makes sense … I’ve been to Boulder, Colorado. It is a beautiful small city adjacent …
Reviewing the Bidding on 2019 CFB Predictions
We were all sea-swallowed, though some cast again (And by that destiny) to perform an act Whereof what’s past is prologue; which to come, In yours and my discharge. — William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act 2, Scene 1 On January 10, 2018, I posted an article titled “Oregon and the Pac-12: Is it TIME TO ABANDON SHIP?“ Said title appeared …