NCAA Women’s Track and Field Championships Predictions

Isaac Gibson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With the NCAA Track and Field Championships around the corner, Oregon solidified its status as favorites in the men’s and women’s competitions. The Duck men and women swept the PAC-12 Championships two weeks ago, despite missing some key contributors. Last week I made my predictions for the NCAA meet on the men’s side; this week, the women take center stage. Again, I stress that these predictions are only …

Duckling Profile: Justin Hollins Looks to Take Next Step

Forrest Welk FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Part of the benefit of playing as a true freshman is the experience a player gets early in his college career. Such is the case with Justin Hollins, an outside linebacker who will see an increased role after limited action last season. You may not be familiar with the name, but get used to hearing it in 2015 and beyond. Hollins was …

Old Foes Unite: What Chip Kelly Learned From Facing Nelson Agholor

Joe Kearns Analysis

When it comes to the NFL Draft, Chip Kelly heeds the advice of Horace Greeley: “Go West, young man.” In Kelly’s three seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach, the team has used nine of its 21 draft picks on Pac-12 prospects. For this reason, it was unsurprising that Kelly decided to go west with USC receiver Nelson Agholor in …

Recruiting Update: Hawaii to be Re-Named Orewaii?

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting News Oregon’s gridiron brass are taking a page from their hardwood compatriots in the scrutiny of JUCO transfer targets. Wide receivers’ coach Matt Lubick, as well as former Oregon quarterback Nate Costa, are hot on the trail of junior college route-runner Riley Smith (2-Star/Ventura, CA). According to Smith, “I’ll probably be up at Oregon’s camp in June. I’ve …

Oregon’s Turn-Around — The Beginning

Henry Swift History

“The Pick” by Kenny Wheaton is one of, if not the most memorable and iconic plays in Oregon football history. However, as great as it was, it did not necessarily signify the turning point of the program. That notion belonged to Joey Harrington, and to our delight, it was also the downfall of the Washington Husky program. Before Marcus Mariota, …

One Odd Duck, Chip Kelly — the New Bill Walsh?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Everybody has an opinion on Chip Kelly. Some people see him as the mad genius who will lead the Philadelphia Eagles to greatness by using unconventional means that no one else has thought of to give his team an advantage. Others see him as just plain mad. While this has been the story of many great innovators — both inside …

The Pac-12 Makes More Money Than the SEC: Bank It

Norm Hightower FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oregon Duck fans – and Pac-12 fans, for that matter – are sick and tired of hearing about how great the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is. Broadcasters constantly speak about how the SEC is ahead of the Pac-12 in recruiting, quality of play and revenue. Well, that no longer appears to be the case. The absence of an SEC team in the 2015 …

Oregon’s Linebacking Analysis: Why It Will Be Better in 2015

Levi Steier Fish Reports

When looking at Oregon’s linebacker unit from 2014, a common theme often arises — inconsistency. FishDuck.com discussed it here and here, as others did here. In my experience, inconsistency typically stems from player inexperience and mental overload, both of which seemed to be confounding factors for the Oregon linebacking crew — as they were a bit inexperienced and working under a new …

Rule Changes and Recruitment Will Help Move Oregon into Basketball’s Elite

Jimmy Friedricks FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After the 2013-2014 basketball season, everything was looking rosy for Dana Altman and Oregon basketball. They just finished a season which saw them win the Pac-12 tournament and the team had a strong showing in the NCAA tournament, narrowly losing to an eventual Final Four team, Wisconsin Badgers, in the round of 32. With a plethora of young and talented players returning, the Ducks were …

Marcus Mariota Shoulders More Pressure than Probably Even He Realizes

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Win the Fiesta Bowl in your first year as a starter? Check. Rose Bowl? Check. Heisman trophy? Check. Top three draft pick? Mhhhm, that one too. These accomplishments, of course, forget to mention the truck load of hardware won after Marcus Mariota‘s miraculous 2014 season, probably sitting in a corner of his basement in Hawaii. The guy did it all, and for …

Why Oregon Will Have Two 1,000-Yard Rushers

Shonti Tager FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s no secret the Ducks are loaded in the backfield this year. With three proven every-down backs, and a slew of young talent waiting for a chance to shine, Oregon is in as good a position as any team in the nation. A favorable schedule, and a competent quarterback to keep teams from stuffing the box could mean Oregon will …