David Marsh

One word.... Defeated

We're on the same page here Jon. But it doesn't matter how good or bad the SEC's results are because it's the SEC and they are compared to their over rated counterparts. What is interesting is that the nature of recruiting has changed. The portal and NIL have made it that our metics of what makes a good or bad roster need to change though they are not wholely wrong. Love your comments Jon.

Remember when non-Oregon pundits were questioning the leadership of Mariota and Herbert? Moore is built in their mold of leadership. He's not going to be a ra-ra guy in front of the camera but I'm sure he's leading the team in more subtle ways that are just as impactful. Let's see what Moore has in store this year. I'm sure he has developed and progressed more than we know.

And the Big Ten who have won the last three national championships isn't seen as a difficult conference by comparison. It's the SEC and the self-fulfilling prophecy. If they are all ranked then they play all these ranked teams. As we have seen time and time again you don't get dinged too bad when you lose to ranked teams. So even in defeat they often stay ranked far longer than they should because hey now... They only lose to ranked opponents. Thus.... The SEC plays the hardest schedule and are the hardest conference. Does reality match this prophecy? No! But that doesn't matter.

Won't the lot be empty? USC fans are usually gone by the end of the 3rd when Oregon comes to town.

I feel the age component on Oregon's roster is why I don't have that many glaring worries on the roster. This is kinda a situation like year one of Will Stein where Bo Nix covered up a lot of problems by being a 5th year starter.

Hi everyone, This week I look at my concerns for the 2026 season. I don't actually have that many. https://open.substack.com/pub/marshduck/p/three-causes-of-concern-for-oregons?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8foswi Let me know what you are concerned about heading into next season.

It's another Monday with Marsh, as Jon Joseph was so kind to put it. Here is my latest as today we talk about runningbacks. https://open.substack.com/pub/marshduck/p/should-oregon-move-away-from-runningback?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8foswi

Coaching, health and hoping not to lose key backups to the transfer portal at the wrong time. In the Peach Bowl the Ducks were down Whittington, Davison and Riggs due to injury and then lost Limar to the portal. Hughes has basically decided to portal since week 4. So... Oregon went from 7 deep at runningback down to two with Hill and Harris. Hill is a wonderful change of pace back but not am every down guy and Harris was simply not up to the task. The run game was actually going fairly well in the first matchup, ignore the total yards because sacks destroyed the rushing numbers that were respectable in the first match up against Indiana (without the sacks) and took that whole phase of the offense away. Portal and injuries hurt there real bad. Not saying that if the Ducks had those players they would have won but it would have been closer.

I thought about him... But he has disappeared. I get the feeling he might be a Jay Harris kind of player. Someone who showed great potential and physical ability at a lower level but may not convert for Oregon with so much talent. Or... He is still learning and finding his role and will explode on the scene come the season. If I were to take one of those two scenarios right now in afraid I'd take the first. I get a sense he was picked up for his potential and not for the need.

It's Monday so here's my latest article. I appreciate all of you reading and I do love the conversation that happens below as well. If you can please subscribe as that helps me with the all-mighty algorithm but just reading also helps. https://open.substack.com/pub/marshduck/p/will-2026-be-the-best-passing-attack?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8foswi Go Ducks!

Ok now they have to produce the results in real life.

Cam McCormick anyone? Is he still playing by the way? Also... For Cam McCormick he was played under Helfrich, Taggart, Cristobal, Lanning, and Cristobal at Miami. The injury waivers and a COVID shirt in there kept going.

I think it's the loss of Lupoi but also Lanning opting for the younger faces to fill these spots. Recruiting from within brings continuity but the young faces just aren't at the same level as vets. Give them time. But Lupoi's loss is going to hurt on the recruiting trail for a bit.

Thanks Jon, I'll try and keep it weekly at the moment. When the season rolls around it will probably kick up, we'll see. Hoping to be less busy this next school year, not teaching a new course for starters.

Hi all, My latest article is out. If you can subscribe that would be great as it will help build some traction though just reading it is always appreciated. https://open.substack.com/pub/marshduck/p/chris-hampton-is-the-next-evolution?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8foswi

The four West coast schools had a combined 13 conference championships. That's gotta be embarrassing for the rest of the B1G but... They'll probably ignore it.

This is also why I did not weigh in on a punishment for Sorsby himself. I honestly don't know what to do with his case. But there are so many more cases that just haven't been exposed yet and that's what I'm concerned about.

We all know speeding is illegal too but people do it all the time. There is no instant fix and just saying something is illegal doesn't mean people won't do it. It will be a continued process of education and monitoring to ensure this doesn't become a massive problem. I have high school students in my classes that are using these sports betting apps on a regular basis. If they are doing it underaged then college athletes are doing it for sure because of ease of access and general sports culture. Thanks for reading!

Hi all, it's my second article on substack. Enjoy! https://open.substack.com/pub/marshduck/p/college-footballs-gambling-problem?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8foswi

Hi everyone, with all the transition around FishDuck I have decided to start my own substack called Marsh Duck. Not that crazy original but I think it works. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity Charles gave me to write on his website and as things are changing I figure I'd try this for the time being as see how it goes and develops. The first article on my substack came out today and the link is below. It's all free but if you can subscribe that would help get the ball rolling. https://open.substack.com/pub/marshduck/p/does-dan-lanning-have-a-big-game?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8foswi

I mean... We did just beat them at their last bastion of competence. We are beating them at their own game and that is difficult to handle. The Civil War in football is going to be one-sided for a very long time. So long that the next time Beavis probably wins it they have a Vanderbilt beating Bama moment and tear down their goal posts and throw them in the river. Baseball was their THING and now Oregon is moving in on it. And true the Ducks haven't won a National Championship in baseball yet but if you were to make a race to who wins one next I'm sure the odds wouldn't be Beaver dominant for sure. And this is from a casual observer who just follows Oregon baseball via Charles' posts.

Competitive for sure... but the Old Pac-12 was super competitive. Texas Tech is the only team with the NIL to build a team that can compete in the playoff. I don't see any other Big 12 program being in that level of contention on a regular basis. competitive is good and fun.... but it does not make them a top tier conference. Also bowl records by conference are mostly pointless at this point.

Only way the schedule really changes though is if they get an SEC invite. Otherwise they have to just play their schedule. They do have some control over OOC Games but those are set so many years ago that they aren't all that reliable in terms of opponents anyways. I think OOC needs a full rework but that requires central planning and control which is not the NCAA. Otherwise... I can't really begrudge a real in a weak conference for playing a weak schedule. That's (mostly) not their fault at this point. Is the SEC going to invite TT anytime soon to change that? I kinda doubt it. FSU and Clemson seem like bigger priorities if they do any realignment.

Personally... I hate the neutral site conference championship game locations but that's unrelated. The only team they play that is remotely interesting is Texas Tech and that is going to be a one-sided stomp fest from Texas Tech.