OregonDucks

I believe that this was Bo Nix's first bowl game victory. The same for many of Oregon's players. Congratulations on a hard fought victory!!!

You could make the argument that he is Oregon's most improved player this year.

Great coverage by Bridges. Too bad he couldn't bring it in. This might be his best game this year.

I really don't like the push rule. They need to go back to the old rule.

Defense needs to hold NC to a field goal here.

Why haven't our coaches addressed the lineman too far down the field issue, if they admit it is an issue? They have had all season.

True, especially with who we are missing from our defense. The NC QB hasn't been efficient but has made some big plays when needed most. Nix has not been able to do the same up to this point.

Good thing that Bo Nix already announced he is coming back next year. If he waited until after the Holiday Bowl, he might have made a different decision.

And Dan Lanning is getting outcoached by Mack Brown.

Let's just merge Oregon and Hawaii. It would have been nice taking winter semester classes in Honolulu!!! We already both wear green...

This team is a good, not great team. The defense cannot make a stop on 3rd or 4th down, and for some reason they are not giving the NC QB respect with his ability to scramble. We need a complete overhaul of our defense. Unless we get more proven transfers, unfortunately, it could take a couple of years. Hope Oregon's offense can continue to put up points because we are going to need it to win.

Seven McGee, Byron Cardwell and Justin Flowe weren't seeing the field as much as they would like, and that is why they decided to transfer, IMO. Dont'e Thornton probably wants to be the #1 WR and with Franklin that wasn't going to happen at Oregon. Of all of the transfers, Dont'e is the one that I was most bummed about. His physical abilities are off the charts and, once he puts it all together, he'll be impossible to stop.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas everyone.

Does this mean that we can call it the civil war, again?!

And he is the best college football coach ever, IMO. The question is - who does Alabama hire, when/if Saban ever decides to retire, and can they maintain what Saban has built?

While I like the creativity, I don’t think this is the best use of NIL funds. The hard reality is that there is a lot of competition, at this level, and you have to earn playing time. Coaches are going to continue to bring in guys to compete. Dan Lanning has been honest about this. Many of the players on the roster were not recruited by the current coaching staff. Perhaps they don’t fit what the coaches want to do, particularly on defense? I’m opposed to pulling scholarships but I’m sure that there will be difficult discussions after spring ball and some will be encouraged to transfer. One of the benefits of the transfer portal is that players can find a situation that might be better for them.

If he came back to Oregon, I would have liked to see him slim down a bit and work on his coverage skills. I’ll be interested to see how he looks at the combine. The NFL likes linebackers who can run sideline to sideline, and cover running backs and tight ends. Noah certainly has the athletic ability to do anything on the field.

Justin Herbert is an amazing talent and so fun to watch! He is fortunate to have landed with the Chargers with the weapons they have around him and he has taken full advantage.

This is good for the conference. With the LA schools leaving we need the other schools to step up.

I also respectfully disagree with the OP’s premise. Alabama killed it on the recruiting front this year and Nick Saban has shown an ability to adopt. With NIL, I believe that the top teams and those with well-funded and organized NIL collectives will further separate themselves from the pack. The top teams are not going anywhere. Hopefully, Oregon will be a part of this group. If Oregon can consistently sign top 10 classes, the team’s success should come down to player development and coaching. Let’s hope that Dan Lanning can become the coach we all think he can and hire great assistance coaches. The transfer portal will enable a team a quick turnaround (e.g., USC) and bring some of those top recruits that couldn’t sign them out of high school (e.g., Oregon State). However, if those players were starting and thriving at one of the top schools, how many would be looking for an opportunity elsewhere?

Surprised no one had posted this quote from the QB who decommitted from Washington for Ohio State: "I think I can go to Washington and get money, or I can go to Ohio State and be developed and then potentially reach my goal of going to the NFL.” Ouch. They can’t even buy players up in Seattle...

Coach Bellotti used to compare a QB to tea. You don’t know what you have until you put it in hot water.

It sounded like Hicks really liked Oregon but distance was a factor. I never expected Oregon to land him for that reason but was hopeful. I wish him luck and you never know what the future holds, with the transfer portal…

I’m surprised that Cardwell selected Cal but wish him the best, except for when he plays Oregon. He is a talented running back and I hope he is able to showcase it at Cal.

I personally haven’t been impressed in the limited times I’ve seen DJU play for Clemson. He is big and mobile for his size and would have been a great fit for Chip Kelly’s spread option offense at Oregon (a bigger Masoli) but doesn’t seem to make great decisions and is not the most accurate passer. If Oregon signs DJU, I’d be worried that TT transfers and we would also lose out on potentially signing a top transfer QB in next year’s class. Therefore, unless he was a package deal with his brother, I’d say “thanks but no thanks.” I think stepping down a level and playing for Hawaii would be in his best long term interests. If he puts up huge numbers at Hawaii, perhaps the NFL would be interested given his measurables and arm strength. On the flip side, his talent is off the charts. Perhaps transferring to Oregon and sitting behind Bo Nix, while working with Stein would put his career back on track? Plus, I’m going to have to learn how to pronounce his last name with Matayo joining the team anyway…