This topic is one that can go either way with you depending upon how you view it. And before I get started on that--please....everyone who is a member....DO post your opinions, and do start some topics. As I can attest, not all threads take off, but we need more posts begun by more than the half-dozen who do. And for those who began posting and/or reading since the season began....WELCOME BACK!

I have not read or watched all the negative written or spoken about Oregon since the Cowboy loss, because what I saw made me wince and cringe enough. Our 2026 rep has taken a MAJOR hit, and now the objective is to not only correct it for this year, but regain the strong respect this program had prior to the loss. But doesn't it feel like it is nearly impossible to recover the prior good feelings, and respect for the 2026 Ducks?

In fact it feels to me like--even if we win this weekend...in the backs of the minds of millions of CFB fans....Oregon is on the Clemson path--even if that is an unjustified take. In fact I would venture that for nearly EVERY game we play here on out--we will not be thought much of going in, and if we win? We don't get much out of it...

But that can REALLY help us, don't you think? We are now the permanent UNDERDOG, the team continuously OVERLOOKED by every opponent and CFB fan. We could finish up 11-1 and still not be highly respected, or ranked going into the Playoffs. And do you think ANYONE would back us in the Playoffs in ANY game?

You know...this COULD be a perfect scenario in the eyes of some; we have an experienced team with elite talent that was embarrassed, and is now playing at their best to "show" everyone, (and the NFL Scouts) of how that one game was a mess-up, but not a true indicator of this team. Seems like the ideal mental set-up for the team, as they are no longer full-of-themselves, but now working hard to prove their superiority?

As you know, I am so amused with all the ancillary aspects of the football game, as concepts like this are highly entertaining to ponder and watch materialize. Could our current position be the perfect mental launching point to still make our run at a 'Natty?

P.S. You will notice a big new space at the top of the front page, as I am making room for ads up there that will begin in the near future. Gotta get some revenue for all the expenses!

P.S.S. One of the big changes is making most of the front page transparent, so you can see the background picture when you view the forum in desktop, laptop or pad. We are using a whole new color formatting system that gives you a base color, but allows you to see the picture underneath when you could not before. Now we do not have that in the threads because we tested it, and realized we needed to keep the white post boxes from being transparent to allow for easy reading. A lot of tech work!

I think much of the perceived animus about Oregon results from two places:

1. Oregon is still the "new kid on the block". Most analysts graduated elsewhere and Oregon is all flash and uniforms, lite on substance. I.E. not tough like other true "blue bloods".

2. So many analyst still want to believe the SEC is the true power in football. But the B1G has won the last several Natty's and so they are worried. They are jumping at the chance to use any excuse to put down a B1G program. Oregon gave them that opportunity against OSU.

3. And lastly, the Ducks were over hyped in the preseason. We have lots of experience returning but the new coordinators along with a younger O-line make for growing pains early on.

I hope that Mr. Fishduck is correct in our being the perceived underdog and overlooked. That could help us play harder. But if we keep winning, by the time we play tOSU in November, we will be known for who we truly are, the amazing DUCKS!

Annihilate the Trojans!! 🦆