The game is nearing the end of the opening quarter Saturday when my old friend I.C. Green begins whispering to me. A whisper. In Autzen Stadium. Oregon is leading Washington State 8-0 thanks to a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Boseko Lokombo — and is on its way to a 43-28 win. But the No. 7-ranked Ducks are …

One day, Oregon will lose again in Autzen Stadium. But it won’t happen tomorrow. The strength of the Washington State team is their passing attack. Marshall Lobbestael throws the ball capably and he has three good wide receivers in sophomore Marquess Wilson, the highlight film guy, and steady possession targets Jeff Karstetter and Isiah Barton. Rickey Galvin runs the football …

Within every football weekend coaches fight two battles. One is the opponent across the sidelines, and the other is the battle for the future.Two weeks ago the Ducks brought in a stellar group of prospects, and from that group a couple of program changers, Ellis McCarthy and Shaq Thompson, became Oregon leans, while two pillars of a sterling defense, Jeremy Castro …

Washington State, the real surprise of the PAC 12 this season, looks to knock off Oregon in Autzen and spoil the Ducks’ homecoming game. While unlikely, the Cougars hold more of a shot this year than you would think. Check out this week’s video breaking down the rather unique Wazzu Offense.   [tubepress video=”fT1i0DaiUoA” embeddedWidth=’534′ embeddedHeight=’314′ title=”false” length=”false”]   Predictions: …

Until June 16th of this year, Duck fans counted on Cliff Harris to be one of the strengths of Oregon’s drive for another successful season. Even then, everybody hoped Cliffy would go back to being Cliffy, the dynamic, wonderfully gifted athlete with the flair for the memorable quote or the highlight film moment. As a sophomore he set a school record …

OK, I’ll admit it. I started writing this Oregon at Colorado game story way before the contest ended. Like at the end of the first quarter. No need to tarry. Sort of a writer’s version of the no-huddle, hurry-up spread. Yes, the game wasn’t over at that point. Yes, college football is so unpredictable that teams sometimes do — inexplicable …

Yawn, the pro offense is so boring isn’t it?   [tubepress video=”PQ4mIfC6qyU” embeddedWidth=’534′ embeddedHeight=’314′ title=”false” length=”false”]   Predictions: Colorado didn’t have the horses to keep up with an ever-improving Oregon team before all the injuries, and now, they definitely don’t. Bryan Bennett, or Darron Thomas, LaMichael, or Kenjon it doesn’t matter who’s out there, Oregon still has the advantage in …

Every season has its rhythm and plot lines, its unexpected twists and turns, moments of glory and disbelief. There’s the seemingly overwhelming adversity and miracles of belief. There is triumph, pleasure and disappointment. Few seasons are perfect, but perfection is always an elusive possibility. The Ducks came damn close a couple of times. And they’ve shot themselves in the foot …

This week, one of the most egregious cases of pay-for-play extortion in the history of college football was ruled by the NCAA to be a non-issue. Despite sworn testimony indicating that the father of former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton sought some $180,000 in compensation from Misissippi State University, before his son eventually signed with the Auburn Tigers instead, the governing …

Going into Saturday night’s showdown with Arizona State, the Oregon Ducks knew they would be without LaMichael James, their All-American running back. Halfway into a locked battle with the Sun Devils at Autzen Stadium, they found they would have to carry on without star quarterback Darron Thomas, too. Missing their two top playmakers, facing a 24-21 deficit, could things have …

Oregon has special guests in town for the Arizona State game, and the fans in Autzen Stadium have a terrific chance to make a great first impression on them. For tomorrow night’s ESPN telecast, Oregon will have seven of the top recruits in the country in attendance, gamebreaking players that could be difference makers in the seasons to come, each …

New format here, sticking strictly to video analysis. Like it? Hate it? Leave a comment in the forums. Enjoy!   [tubepress video=”7lRk2J921d4″ embeddedWidth=’534′ embeddedHeight=’314′ title=”false” length=”false”]   Predictions: Oregon is going to be fighting an uphill battle from the beginning. A proven ASU defense, and efficient ASU offense against an inconsistent Oregon offense without its best player. On defense Oregon …