College football is getting less competitive. The playoff’s goal was to expand the number of teams that could compete for the national championship every year by widening the field from two to four. Not much of a playoff, and it seems even less so with a cast of four usual suspects: Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, and Oklahoma. These four teams …
A Failed Fan Experience: Pac-12 Expansion Diminishes Rivalries
Take a moment and think of this year’s conference schedule and pick out the top three games you want to see. As Oregon fans, Washington is going to be at the top of that list and Oregon State will always make the cut as these are both core rivalries. This year, that third spot is going to be held by …
No California or Arizona? Oregon Pivots to COVID Conference Schedule
Oregon fans, don’t despair. Yes, the monster games against North Dakota State and Ohio State at Autzen Stadium as part of the Ducks’ pre-conference schedule are no longer on the table due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases across the country. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott made the official announcement restricting the Pac-12 football season to conference-only games on July 10, …
Why Oregon will Rise Up and Save the Pac-12
The Pac-12 is in rough shape and there is no denying that. Yes, commissioner Larry Scott is a major problem for the Pac-12 but, in all honesty, the conference is probably stuck with Scott for at least a few more years. Hoping for a fix from the top of the conference is ultimately wasted energy. Instead, it is left up …
Golden Bears Predicted to Win the North? Not So Fast, Nostradamus
After just going through the motions these past few weeks, overwhelmed by the steady stream of coronavirus updates, I came across an article that violently jolted me back to life. CBS Sports writer David Cobb has predicted the California Golden Bears will finish 11-1 to win the Pac-12 North title next season. Cobb goes on to predict the Oregon Ducks …
Are the Playoffs and Realignment HURTING College Football?
Calling the current college football landscape “unfair” would be the understatement of the year. Things weren’t always this way, as conferences used to be aligned according to the regions of the country, with sensible, and most importantly, balanced schedules. Conference champions weren’t determined in revenue-driven championship games. They were simply awarded to the team that had the best record at …
Pac-12 Football Is Singing the Summertime Blues
“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in his shoes. Then, when you start criticizing him, you’re a mile away and he has to try and catch you in his socks.” – First uttered by either Will Rogers or Nick Saban. I can’t remember. We’re in the dog days of summer. It’s hot, I’m old, and I’m grumpy! …
Pac-12 in the Playoff? Don’t Count on It
[To the tune of “Limbo Rock” by Chubby Checker] Every Pac-12 player twirl All around Champagne Larry’s world Gonna do da limbo rock Hope da conference won’t be jocked. North be limbo, North be quick South go under limbo stick As the Pac-12’s playoff hopes drop Hey, let’s do the limbo rock! Limbo lower now Limbo lower now How low …
Predicting the PAC: North Edition
Those of you who frequent this site are well-versed in the happenings of the Ducks’ offseason, from Justin Herbert staying, to Jim Leavitt leaving, to Kayvon Thibodeaux and Andy Avalos arriving. It’s clear Oregon has improved this offseason. But the Ducks aren’t the only ones who’ve had a successful spring and summer. Here’s what our fellow Pac-12 North members have …
Pac-12 … Show us the MONEY!
When it comes to all things capitalism, even avowed socialists should listen when the Wall Street Journal speaks. Below are the WSJ’s 25 most valuable college football programs. All forms of revenue, including media distributions, are taken into account. 1. Texas 2. Ohio State 3. Alabama 4. Michigan 5. Notre Dame 6. Georgia 7. Oklahoma 8. Auburn 9. LSU 10. …
Coach Kelly: Blue-Chip or Cow Chip?
Blur. No huddle. Hurry-up. These were the defining characteristics of Chip Kelly’s hyper-exciting offense. But was that the whole story? Kelly perfected a strategy that forced lumbering defenders to make split-second decisions in space, play after play, with little or no rest intervals. That much is clear. But what made his offense revolutionary was its relative simplicity, transferring a “shell …
Calling 9-1-1: A Quack For Help in the Pac-12
“What’s that you say? ‘Jackie Robinson, Johnny Wooden and McKay have gone away’? Hey, hey, hey!” B-r-r-r-ing! “9-1-1.” “Quaaaaaack!” It’s Poor Puddles calling to report animal abuse. Our fine-feathered friend has been whipped, spurred and ridden so hard by Trojans, Cougars, Huskies, Sun Devils, Beavers, Wildcats, Utes, Bears (both Golden and Bruin), and even two-ton Ralphie, that he is starting …