B1G Football: Some Say “Physicality.” I Say “Bad Offense.”

Darren Perkins Editorials

During the offseason of 2024, a repeated theme among college football pundits was wondering how the four new teams from the Pac-12 would respond to the more “physical” nature of B1G football. Mr. FishDuck took some time from his fun at Nomaspin casino to ponder this very interesting midwestern assertion with me. The Pac-12 had always been known as a …

Is the B1G Easier than the Pac-12?

David Marsh Editorials

In any sort of competitive gaming, whether it is sports, cards, board games or even video games, there is something that is created by their respective participants: the metagame, or “meta” for short. This is the game within the game that, over time, determines the best way of playing. The reality is that there isn’t just one definitive answer to …

Oregon: The Next Coaching Rehabilitation Center?

Darren Perkins Editorials

With the retirement of Nick Saban, I got to thinking about which program, if any, will replace Alabama as the school that rehabilitates formerly disgraced head coaches and resurrects their careers. Saban’s two biggest “clients,” Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin, have become successful at their latest stops. A big-time potential patient for career rehabilitation would be Lincoln Riley. I foresee …

USC: The University of Spoiled Children

Darren Perkins Editorials

On June 30, 2022, the USC Trojans, along with the UCLA Bruins, announced they were leaving for the B1G Conference beginning in Summer 2024. The Trojans had long grumbled to the powers in the Pac-12 that they deserved a larger slice of the pie instead of the conference’s equal distribution policy. As the lone historical blue-blood in the Pac-12, the …

Are There Some B1G Regrets?

David Marsh Editorials

We are at the halfway point of the 2024 season and this new era of college football. The B1G added four West Coast teams to the league this season, and there are some clear winners in this conference expansion. The Oregon Ducks are flying high after their win over Ohio State, and the media executives at Fox and NBC couldn’t …

Oregon Football: The Deep Ball Is Back!

Darren Perkins Editorials

The Ducks peaked at just the right time in putting together their first (not perfect) complete game of the season against Ohio State. The scheduling gods were on Oregon’s side, as Duck fans were able to see improvement from week to week. Had this game been played a couple of weeks earlier, the outcome might have been much different. One …

Time For the B1G Heavyweight Bout of the Year

Darren Perkins Editorials

The Ohio State-Oregon game will be the B1G version of Georgia-Alabama. It is a battle of conference heavyweights that should set the tone for the rest of the season. If the Ducks play like they did against Michigan State, with a strong defensive performance, good ground game, and flashes of passing brilliance, they can win if Dillon Gabriel can make …

UCLA Has Seen Better Days

Darren Perkins Editorials

In a way, it is sad to see how far UCLA football has fallen in the 2000s. The old Pac-8 and Pac-10 used to be comprised of USC, UCLA, sometimes Washington (I begrudgingly confess), and everyone else. UCLA is the poster child of the old school, classic stadium, traditionally solid program that utterly failed to adapt to the new order …

The Pac is Back!

Darren Perkins Editorials

The Beavers might have gotten blown out by Our Beloved Ducks on Saturday, but they did gain a conference over the weekend, as it is all but assured that the Pac-12 will live on. The conference poached Colorado State, Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State from the Mountain West Conference. Mr. FishDuck took a minute from his fun …

The Civil War in September: Lame

Darren Perkins Editorials

Off the top of my head, recalling Civil War games I attended from my youth, I remember that the 1983, 0-0 “Toilet Bowl” had a torrential downpour. The 1985 game was frigidly cold. The 1993 game had fog. With this year’s game in September, and most years moving forward, the third competitor in the Civil War — weather — has …

Oregon Football: The Sky is Not Falling

Darren Perkins Editorials

The season is not over. The end is not near. The sky is not falling. While Oregon’s lackluster play against the Idaho Vandals raises concerns, let history be our guide as we clear our heads and realize that one poor performance does not make a season. For, let us not forget a couple of other bad first games in recent …