Charles Fischer

How LOWE do you want to go? (So many great plays!)

Way to GO!

I did NOT see this coming!

Right. And the game against Oregon will be a sell-out because....of Duck fans in California!

I have a Duck-Buddy who wondered what the majority of us Oregon fans were thinking on this issue--if the game goes well for the Ducks....do we think Dan Lanning will run the score up on Boise State to make a national statement of which can help us as the season progresses? Or do we think he will not, and use this opportunity to play the reserves, and get them some playing time at game-speed? Fox Crader I vote for him playing the reserves, because we MUST build depth. It is a long season, and we need the great young talent to get confidence in a game, and thus be ready to start later. Fox Crader gave himself, the coaches, and the fans great confidence with his play in the USC game last year, but he gave us glimpses in earlier games when he came in briefly. Which do you choose? Both help the team one way or the other...

I understand how on paper the Buckeyes look great....but I was blown away talking to a VERY informed Ohio State fan...a former FishDuck editor who is incredibly knowledgeable. She is a little depressed at losing the former OC, and having Arthur Smith replace him. She feels that his track record is not impressive, and doubts that he has the chops to duplicate what has been done on offense at Columbus in the past. She stated that if the Buckeyes disappoint this year--it will be due to him! Something to watch for...

Right!

We will have the usual weekly prediction contest this season, but NOW is the time for SEASON PREDICTIONS. Tell me Oregon's final record, and where they finish the season...in a bowl game, or Playoffs, and how far into it. For tiebreakers....tell me how many points they will average on offense, how many points average per game they will give up, and the final score of the final game they play in. My Prediction: --Ducks will go 11-1 during the regular season, go to the Playoffs, and we will win the National Championship. --They will average 36.5 points per game on offense. --Our Beloved Ducks will give up 14.7 points per game on defense. --We will win the 'Natty by a 30-20 score.

I'm sure you've read about some of the weight changes from off-season workouts, but let's do a quick review at some jaw-droppers, and then look closely at a couple of freshmen. Dante Moore: 6-foot-3, 220 lbs. (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-3, 206 lbs.) Akili Smith Jr.: 6-foot-5, 245 lbs (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-5, 231 lbs.) Dylan Raiola: 6-foot-3, 232 lbs Gatlin Bair: 6-foot-2, 204 lbs reported by Oregon, so he is an inch shorter than what recruiting sites reported. Kendre Harrison: 6-foot-7, 250 lbs. He is a legit six foot, seven! Defensive Linemen: Aydin Breland: 6-foot-5, 315 lbs (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-5, 304 lbs.) Matthew Johnson: 6-foot-5, 319 lbs (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-5, 295 lbs.) Elijah Rushing: 6-foot-6, 290 lbs (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-6, 275 lbs.) Nasir Wyatt: 6-foot-2, 245 lbs (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-2, 228 lbs.) Anthony Jones Jr.: 6-foot-3, 301 lbs. (Up from 275 lbs.) Offensive Linemen: Dave Iuli: 6-foot-3, 335 lbs (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-3, 332 lbs.) Kawika Rogers: 6-foot-5, 325 lbs (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-5, 320 lbs.) I had no idea that these two guys were this big. Fox Crader: 6-foot-6, 311 lbs (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-6, 315 lbs.) I did not realize he was 6'6"! Demetri Manning: 6-foot-6, 345 lbs (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-6, 330 lbs.) A big backup! Zac Stascausky: 6-foot-6, 311 lbs (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-6, 285 lbs.) An Oregon boy at 6'6"! Douglas Utu: 6-foot-4, 335 lbs (2025 height/weight: 6-foot-4, 335 lbs.) A RS freshman who has grown! Newcomers: Michael Bennett III: 6-foot-5, 320 lbs Koloi Keli: 6-foot-3, 310 lbs True Freshmen: Immanuel Iheanacho: 6-foot-6, 365 lbs Tommy Tofi: 6-foot-6, 360 lbs. (Holy Crap....BOTH these TRUE FRESHMAN are 6'6" and 360 or over...and are threatening to play soon?) The recruiting is superb, but the development and growth on campus is pretty darn impressive too! Kendre Harrison

Gotta love the article, and if there was ever a year to have the offense balanced to the passing attack--this is the year. And I think we will. To have Bair doing well so quickly--it means that sending Bair and Stewart deep is sure going to stretch defenses like never before!

My Duck-Buddies....this is my 40th year of being a season ticket holder, so the hundreds of times I've driven up to Autzen and approached it on Martin Luther King Blvd., (formerly Centennial) is an image that is etched in my mind. For so many years....it was a vast parking lot with tons of gravel. Then it became partially a gravel area, augmented with a practice field. Then it become ALL practice fields... I was not mentally prepared for what I saw as I drove up today, Saturday, August 22nd....approaching the first street to turn off for parking, going to the Duck Store, etc. This fricken new Practice Facility takes up the entire space of the practice fields,-the entire block! And the height of it is MASSIVE! Pictures do NOT convey the feeling you get when you see it up close....and it is just a frame at this moment! I was gasping at what I saw...good gosh this is going to be huge. This picture below from my cell phone in my vehicle does not do the visual impact you get any justice.... Wowsa. When they say that there will be nothing like it in the NFL or CFB...I believe it!

So many volunteered that I no longer need the team any larger....so THANK YOU for the help!

Wow. What a story, a journey that is frustrating to both the players and the schools. Reading that made me VERY appreciative of the position that we are in at Oregon...whew!