Oregon had a pretty mediocre season last year after the Ohio State game. Lost to Stanford, which was awful, almost lost to Cal, got pulverized by Utah twice.
The Heisman is largely a meaningless award, in that it purports to celebrate the best player in college football. What it really is, is the best QB (or maybe rarely RB or WR) at a Top 10 program having a great season - essentially, the best from a selection of maybe 8 - 12 guys who qualify for the award.
When I start seeing LBs or DLs or OTs winning the award, or a phenomenal player on a team that went 8 - 4, then I'll care.
Aug 8, 2022·edited Aug 8, 2022Liked by John Canzano
I like Lanning a ton - and suspect we will learn he can coach a bit. Would like to think Oregon is a Destination job, but when you pluck an assistant from the SEC you cannot be surprised if their success in Eugene leads to offers from whence he came. Now, if Oregon were to join the BiG, or the Pac 10 adds quality schools/markets and continues to be a premium brand, that could change the calculus.
What is really sad John is that the PAC could sweep those games, and the perception the eastern sports media peddles of the PAC wouldn't change one bit...I know that sounds a little bit like woe is me, the world is against me kind of thinking, but part of that is true...the SEC, Big 10, Big 12 would love to see the PAC fall on it's face, and would probably relish in it's demise. Bigger pieces of the Pie for them, less sharing of any of it. But the reality is, good competition makes the entire sport better. But limited to only a few teams, most real fans of the game will get bored pretty quickly.
The Gundy-Oklahoma deal was really tough for me to absorb. Have we really become so "woke" that a long career, with no other blemish of this category, is gone because of one confusing incident? Yet, until you mentioned it, I didn't even think of the idea that other considerations could be in play. I get to the point that nothing that occurs in society surprises me, and yet I don't understand most of it. Sigh.
I've commented enough on the Pac 12 situation. Turning to Gundy that is one weird story, hard to believe that's all it was. Note to self, at least scan over something your going to have to read out loud if it's from someone else.
So Oregon agreed to play Ohio State away last year with no return home game? And same thing with Georgia? No wonder the Pac12 is a second class league.
Once again, John, you do a human element story on the painful effect on kids when their Dads leave to take a job at another college in another state. I am sure the kids who are leaving are also negatively affected by having to move a lot. I never thought about this issue but, as a psychologist who hears many stories from clients about the effects on them about losing childhood friends, it has a significant emotional impact. Thanks for the article.
Oregon had a pretty mediocre season last year after the Ohio State game. Lost to Stanford, which was awful, almost lost to Cal, got pulverized by Utah twice.
The Heisman is largely a meaningless award, in that it purports to celebrate the best player in college football. What it really is, is the best QB (or maybe rarely RB or WR) at a Top 10 program having a great season - essentially, the best from a selection of maybe 8 - 12 guys who qualify for the award.
When I start seeing LBs or DLs or OTs winning the award, or a phenomenal player on a team that went 8 - 4, then I'll care.
I like Lanning a ton - and suspect we will learn he can coach a bit. Would like to think Oregon is a Destination job, but when you pluck an assistant from the SEC you cannot be surprised if their success in Eugene leads to offers from whence he came. Now, if Oregon were to join the BiG, or the Pac 10 adds quality schools/markets and continues to be a premium brand, that could change the calculus.
My thinking is Lanning will have a choice between Oregon and Auburn within 2 seasons. I'm hoping he doesn't want to head back to the sec.
What is really sad John is that the PAC could sweep those games, and the perception the eastern sports media peddles of the PAC wouldn't change one bit...I know that sounds a little bit like woe is me, the world is against me kind of thinking, but part of that is true...the SEC, Big 10, Big 12 would love to see the PAC fall on it's face, and would probably relish in it's demise. Bigger pieces of the Pie for them, less sharing of any of it. But the reality is, good competition makes the entire sport better. But limited to only a few teams, most real fans of the game will get bored pretty quickly.
What was it that made Riley feel he was disrespected
Not happy about the revolving HC door at Oregon but if these coaches can continue to be
successful most fans will live with it. I'd like to see a Duck 'homer' hired but no one
comes to mind (not Wilcox).
The Gundy-Oklahoma deal was really tough for me to absorb. Have we really become so "woke" that a long career, with no other blemish of this category, is gone because of one confusing incident? Yet, until you mentioned it, I didn't even think of the idea that other considerations could be in play. I get to the point that nothing that occurs in society surprises me, and yet I don't understand most of it. Sigh.
I've commented enough on the Pac 12 situation. Turning to Gundy that is one weird story, hard to believe that's all it was. Note to self, at least scan over something your going to have to read out loud if it's from someone else.
So Oregon agreed to play Ohio State away last year with no return home game? And same thing with Georgia? No wonder the Pac12 is a second class league.
Once again, John, you do a human element story on the painful effect on kids when their Dads leave to take a job at another college in another state. I am sure the kids who are leaving are also negatively affected by having to move a lot. I never thought about this issue but, as a psychologist who hears many stories from clients about the effects on them about losing childhood friends, it has a significant emotional impact. Thanks for the article.
Gundy said “booger”