With the NCAA trial all finished up and media days about to begin, the news was a little slow this week. The news in the college football world might be slow but it is never dull. It will really pick up when you put a bunch of coaches and players in front on a microphone for media day. Great news …
All of the attention this fall is going to be on the outcome of the four teams “The Committee” picks to play in the first-ever college football playoff. Even if those four spots are distributed evenly across the power conferences, there will still be at least one conference that will miss out on the inaugural playoff. This, of course, did …
Over the past five recruiting classes, dating back to the 2009 recruiting class, Oregon leads the nation in an unregistered recruiting category – percentage of prospects signed that make it to campus. Contrast that with South Carolina, which will reportedly have eight players of 24 signed to this class who are not eligible. In Oregon’s case, this is not by some …
One reason I love the style of offense that Oregon uses is that it makes so much sense. In the old days, it wasn’t uncommon to hear football coaches say things like, “I don’t care if they put 14 guys in the box, we’re going to run the ball and they’re going to have to stop it!” Since that time, however, conventional …
Imagine walking into Autzen Stadium for the first time on a Saturday afternoon. What do you experience? Are you overwhelmed by the sixty thousand fans screaming “O?” Do you feel lost in a sea of green and yellow jerseys? Or are you intimidated by the opposing team? These consuming feelings are pressed upon young freshmen each new season. Going from a top …
I’m broke. I won’t always be broke. It’s a temporary condition due to spending too much on my own birthday and the fact that my stock options with FishDuck (FKU:NYSE) and 401k don’t vest for another year. But being broke, for no matter how long, makes one wonder, “Did I go wrong in my life? Should I have made better …
What would you think if Autzen Stadium, already known for being loud, expanded and became a cradle for eardrum-splitting noise? Silly question. You’re a Northwest sports fan, which, by default, means you are always seeking acknowledgement as the most raucous fan base in the country. Just spend five minutes witnessing a game at the Rose Garden (Moda Center) or CenturyLink …
It was Dec. 1, 2013. With the score at 7-7 in the second quarter, the Philadelphia Eagles marched to the Arizona Cardinals’ 6-yard line. It was at this moment when Chip Kelly unveiled a surprising wrinkle. If Nick Foles was there, who was lined up as quarterback? Meet Brad Smith. …
When a new class of freshmen arrives to a football program, it’s always a mixed bag. Players of all positions gather from different high schools or junior colleges, states and backgrounds, to come together as teammates. Some are prized recruits coming in from premier high school programs; some are lesser-known players that the coaches hope are diamonds in the rough. …
Three years ago, Taylor Alie was a second-string high school quarterback. Last year he was fifth on the depth chart for the Oregon Ducks. This year he could be number two and heir to Marcus Mariota’s throne. Luck, combined with an infinite amount of drive and persistence, has allowed hometown hero Alie to rise from regular Eugene native to a nationally-ranked football team …
Football Recruiting News Recent Oregon commit Travis Waller (4-Star/Anaheim, CA/Rivals250) is silencing any remaining critics about the game he intends to bring to Oregon. The 6-foot-2, 195 lb. dual-threat has been turning at heads the Elite 11 quaterback camp held this past weekend at Nike’s Beaverton campus. “When you watch the ball (come out of his hand), he delivers it …
Offensive tackle is arguably one of the most important positions on a football team. Vital to the outside run game and pass protection, an OT must be skilled in a lot of different aspects of blocking. Sixteen-year-old Brady Aiello from Lafayette, California, believed he had what it took to be the Ducks’ newest addition to a strong offensive line. The Ducks …
