Parallels Run Deep Between Oregon and UCLA

Will Denner FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oregon and UCLA were considered the favorites in their respective PAC-12 divisions going into the 2014 season. Now, a little over a month into the season, the loser of the Saturday contest between the two teams may have to kiss college football playoff aspirations goodbye. As far as the similarities go between these two teams, though, that is just the …

Three Mental Approaches to Oregon’s 2014 Schedule

Jack Heffernan FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

On paper, the Ducks are a lock. Ranked No. 4 in the initial Coaches Poll and No. 3 in the AP poll, Oregon seems to control its own destiny in its bid to participate in the inaugural College Football Playoff. However, any casual fan of college football knows that there is no way some coaches, pundits, and computers can even come close …

As Inaugural College Football Playoff Season Commences, Ducks Timing Is Perfect

Will Denner FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

When the four-team College Football Playoff was formally approved by the NCAA in June 2012, teams, analysts and fans alike rejoiced in the reformation of the BCS — a system which had been previously criticized for not being fair to all teams. The Playoff, which runs through the 2025 season, reduces the likelihood of a deserving team getting left out of …

College Football Nation: How Do the Gators Do It and Penn State Tweets

Jeff Hostetler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

  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 …