Leap of Faith

On a team of more obvious stars, it's LaMarcus Aldridge who will decide just how far the Blazers will go.

That Was Satisfying

Random Links Before My Flight

• Despite Oregon and OSUs fancy for bright colors, this Oklahoma site says Ducks will be wearing all black (diamond plating, not wings) and green helmets.
• Ducks met with Todd Doxey's family in San Diego and his presence will be seen on the field as Talmadge Jackson III will be wearing number 29.
• Johnson returned to practice after being sidelined with an hamstring injury and an illness.

A Few Predictions:

• GoPokes predicts an OSU win from some special team touchdowns. OSU 48-34.
• Jason at the Portland Tribune believes that Oregon will be too much for OSU to handle. Oregon 55-37.
• Moseley predicts that OSU will not be able to stop Oregon's offense. Oregon 75-45.
• Athlon Sports predicts the Cowboys by 5.
• Feldman at ESPN will believe Oregon's defense will be the difference maker. Oregon 52-35.
• I predict the defense will step up in this game after being ridiculed all season while Oregon's offense will roll. Oregon 56-21.

Vote for Rudy

ESPN.com will have fans pick the fourth player for the slam dunk contest. Blazer's Rudy Fernandez is one of three rookies up for the fourth spot. Vote for him here.

The Gift That Keeps Giving

Sun Bowl Association officials are looking to break the Guinness World Record for the largest YMCA dance when the Village People perform at halftime of the Brut Sun Bowl this year. The Civil War victory is just the gift that keeps giving.

Thank You

I have often commented about the negativity that has saturated today's media. It is the number one reason I would rather skim through the paper or peek at cnn.com than tune into a news broadcast on tv. When it comes to reading, I'm able to filter what I read and what I don't. Even then, there is a lot of shit out there... See 95% of John Canzano's articles (Yes, I hate to admit, %5 of the time he actually has something decent to say). But when watching the news on tv, a person must watch each and every crap story they put on there. When did bad news become good news and visa-versa?!?

Anyway, in today's world it is great to see articles about some of our favorite sports celebrities visiting a child with cancer, mentoring younger kids, or honoring a fallen teammate. It makes creates an even deeper respect when you find that these kids didn't even seek publicity for their actions. Reporters like this should be commended for putting a smile on fan's faces rather than scowls.

Still Smiling

I'm still smiling from the Civil War and it's little things like this that will keep that perma-grin on my face all year long.

Nick Reed

Nick Reed was named Walter Camp first team all America team. Reed is only the second Oregon football player to be named on a first team all America team.

How I Would Have Done: Part 3

Here were my national Over/Under picks...

• 2.5 - Syracuse - tough one... OVER {Finished 3-9} [1-0]
• 3 - Vanderbilt - OVER {Finished 6-6} [2-0]
• 5.5 - Colorado - OVER {Finished 5-7} [2-1]
• 6 - Arkansas - UNDER {Finished 5-7} [3-1]
• 6.5 - Kentucky - OVER {Finished 6-6} [3-2]
• 6.5 - Purdue - OVER {Finished 4-8} [3-3]
• 7 - Texas A&M - OVER {Finished 4-8} [3-4]
• 7 - Notre Dame - UNDER {YAY!!! Finished 6-6} [4-4]
• 7 - Nebraska - hmmm... OVER {Finished 8-4} [5-4]
• 8 - South Carolina - OVER {Finished 7-5} [5-5]
• 8 - Michigan - UNDER {Finished 3-9} [6-5]
• 8.5 - Fresno State - OVER {Finished 7-5} [6-6]
• 9.5 - Boise State - OVER {Finished 12-0} [7-6]
• 10 - Ohio State - OVER... unfortunately... {Finished 10-2} [WASH 7-6]
• 10 - Oklahoma - UNDER... but barely... {Finished 12-1} [7-7]

Well I guess picking 50/50 on all over/under bets isn't bad. I still would have lost a little money unfortuately because there is no such thing as an even bet. Likely would have broken even considering I one more on the Pac-10 over/under bets. Approx. even money for the season ain't bad.

How I Would Have Done: Part 2

Here were my Pac-10 Over/Under predictions in July.

• Stanford (4)- OVER {Finished 5-7} [1-0]
• WSU (4) - EVEN (No Bet) {Finished 2-11} [1-0]
• Washington (4.5) - OVER - But just by 5... Still means... Bye Ty {Finished 0-12} [1-1]
• Arizona (6.5) - UNDER - Think Erickson would move to Arizona if the price was right? [1-2]
• OSU (6.5) - OVER - Beavers always seem to do better than expected, even without their front 7 on D {Finished 8-4} [2-2]
• Oregon (8) - OVER - Better to be slightly optimistic than overly unrealistic. {Finished 9-3} [3-2]
• Cal (8) - UNDER - I'll believe it when I see it. {Finished 8-4} [PUSH 3-2]
• ASU (8.5) - UNDER - They are no longer under the radar... They have the players but I don't think they will win more than 8 (Even with the 3 game gimme to start the season). {Finished 5-7} [4-2]
• USC (10.5) - UNDER - Regardless, I think the Trojans will stumble at least twice this season. {Finished 11-1} [4-3]

Can't complain about winning one more than losing. Though, the fact that I gave Washington 5 wins was just a tad generous.

How I Would Have Done: Part 1

Looking back to July when the original future odds were released for the 2008 football season I made some predictions.

Here are what the odds were in back in July

• 3/1 - USC
• 35/1 - ASU
• 40/1 - Cal
• 60/1 - Oregon & UCLA
• 100/1 - Washington
• 125/1 - OSU, WSU & Arizona
• NONE - Stanford (Field 40/1)

Here is what is should have looked like...

• 3/1 - USC - As long as Carroll is around I don't think USC will move from this spot.
• 35/1 - Oregon - Not bad considering the Ducks played 4 quarterbacks this year and eventually stuck with the 3rd string QB.
• 40/1 - Oregon State - A lot better than anyone could have predicted.
• 60/1 - Cal - I still don't get this team year in-year out.
• 80/1 - Arizona - Yay! Arizona will be mediocre another year!
• 100/1 - ASU & Stanford - Almost... but not quite.
• 125/1 - UCLA - UCLA might have been able to stay competitive if Kevin Craft wasn't the worst QB in college football.
• 1,000,000/1 - Washington... So you're saying there's a chance!
• NONE - WSU (Field 40/1) - QB tryouts at least gave them some joy this year.

BCS Declares Germany Winner of World War II

A random forward going around the internet...

After determining the Big-12 championship game participants the BCS computers were put to work on other major contests and today the BCS declared Germany to be the winner of World War II.

"Germany put together an incredible number of victories beginning with the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland and continuing on into conference play with defeats of Poland, France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands. Their only losses came against the US and Russia; however considering their entire body of work--including an incredibly tough Strength of Schedule--our computers deemed them worthy of the #1 ranking."
Questioned about the #4 ranking of the United States the BCS commissioner stated "The US only had two major victories--Japan and Germany. The computer models, unlike humans, aren't influenced by head-to-head contests--they consider each contest to be only a single, equally-weighted event."

German Chancellor Adolph Hiter said "Yes, we lost to the US; but we defeated #2 ranked France in only 6 weeks." Herr Hitler has been criticized for seeking dramatic victories to earn 'style points' to enhance Germany's rankings. Hitler protested "Our contest with Poland was in doubt until the final day and the conditions in Norway were incredibly challenging and demanded the application of additional forces."

The French ranking has also come under scrutiny. The BCS commented " France had a single loss against Germany and following a preseason #1 ranking they only fell to #2."

Japan was ranked #3 with victories including Manchuria, Borneo and the Philippines.

United States head coach Harry S Truman was criticized by many as having poor taste for scheduling a "politicking" interview during halftime of the German bombing raids over Great Britain.

In that interview, Truman stated, "Any way you look at it, there is going to be a really good military force that gets left out. But when you come right down to it, our head-to-head victory over the Germans has to be the deciding factor."

A US fan also made the point that "Germany is getting all the style points right now because of their sexy offense, which continues to obliterate weaker opponents and show off their might after the battle is already won. But what about defense?"

Santa Coming Through In The Clutch

It will never get old...

A Christmas Story

"You'll shoot your THIGH out kid"

Senior Bowl Bound

Max Unger and Jeremiah Johnson were invited to play in the Senior Bowl on January 24. They are the first since Whitehead and Demetrius following the '05 season.

Quick Blazer Update

The Blazer's play this season has far exceeded many people's expectations since the lackluster opener against the Lakers. After tonight's win (the streak is now at 6 wins) the Blazers sit at 14 and 6 with a huge game against last year's National Champs the Boston Celtics. Blazer's were even ranked 4th in ESPNs Power Rankings that was released before their last two wins on the road and 8th in SIs Power Rankings before their current 6 game winning streak. There are very few teams that have the depth that Portland has and that isn't even considering that Martell Webster will be back in the line up soon coming off a broken foot.

Bellotti / Kelly Change

A press conference will be held at 3:30 today to anounce that Chip Kelly will be Oregon's next head coach and that Mike Bellotti will succeed Kilkenny as the Head of the Athletic Department. Timetable for this is not yet known.

SI Tour Guy @ OSU

SI College Football Tour guy visited Oregon State for the Civil War. If you didn't know the tour guy is a Duck grad.

"Dirtier Beavers last year"

Which Team Would You Like Oregon To Play?

Baring a huge upset, USC will win this weekend at UCLA and send the Ducks to the Holiday Bowl. There have been several bowl predictions on Oregon's opponent and it is likely to be either Missouri or Oklahoma State. Which team would you rather see the Ducks match up with on December 30th? Vote in the sidebar.

• Missouri is currently 1st in the Big 12 North. Their 3 losses came to No. 14 Oklahoma State, No. 3 Texas and Kansas. They will be playing No. 2 Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game this weekend. Missouri averages 509.4 yards a game but 344.3 of those are in the passing game (leaving 165.2 in the rushing game). Currently the Tiger's offensive coordinator has taken the head job at Wyoming. Many of you have heard about their quarterback, Chase Daniel, who has thrown for 3880 yards and 34 touchdowns. Missouri's leading running back is Derrick Washington with 963 yards on 152 attempts and 17 touchdowns. The Tigers have 4 receivers/tight ends with over 500 yards receiving but the one you've probably heard of is Jeremy Maclin with 1175 yards & 11 touchdowns receiving and another 248 yards & 2 touchdowns rushing.

• Oklahoma State is currently 4th in the Big 12 South. They beat Missouri 28-23 when the Tigers were ranked 3rd in the AP (Now ranked 20th in the BCS). However, their 3 losses came to No. 3 Texas, No. 7 Texas Tech & No. 2 Oklahoma. The Coyboys are currently ranked 14th in the BCS. They lead a balance attack averaging 256 rushing yards, 233.3 passing yards and a total 489.3 yards a game. Their quarterback, Zac Robinson, has thrown for 2,735 yards and 24 touchdowns. Kendall Hunter is their primary running back with 1,518 yards on 228 attempts and 14 touchdowns (plus 1 receiving touchdown) on the season. Their other running back, Keith Toston, has 658 yards on 94 carries and 9 touchdowns. Dez Bryant is their leading receiver with 1,313 yards on 74 receptions and 18 touchdowns.

Carroll At It Again...

The fact that the Trojans are willing to give up one time out per half so they can wear their home jerseys at the Rose Bowl vs. UCLA this weekend just reiterates how pompous Pete Carroll can be. As Moseley points out, while Oregon may get a lot of attention for their uniforms, they've never let it affect the game itself.

I'd love to see Carroll get taken out like Charlie Weis... Maybe then he'd learn a lesson for being a prick.

Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week

Jeremiah Johnson was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week with his career-high 219 yards in the Civil War.

Here is his 87 yard touchdown run...

Highlight Video

Oh so sweet...

Civil War Pictures

Here are some pictures that were posted on Chat4Quacks "A picture is worth a thousand words" thread. Simply Awesome...