Sympathy? Yes. Apology? No.

Almost exactly a year ago, Hurricane Isaac hit the Southern coast and hammered, among other places, Nicholls State University and the little hamlet where it's located Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Because of all the damage around Thibodaux (pronounced "THIGH-boe-dox", I think.), the football team could not see their way to travel to Corvallis for a September 1st football game. They postponed their trip until the end of the season.

Until then, the Nicholls State Colonels (pronounced "colon-ELS". I believe it's French.) lost every game miserably except one. And that one was against a lower NAIA league team. In fact, that team they defeated -- Evangel -- was the only team they had beaten the previous year as well.

So after getting smacked by a hurricane, then spanked by nearly every team they played through the season, they took the trip to Corvallis on a cold December day where they got paddled 77-3.

Now to start off this season, they're back in Oregon to play the Ducks.

In the following dramatization, Kevin Bacon will play the role of Nicholls State over the past year:



John Canzano talked with Nicholls State coach Charlie Stubbs in this story. The former Oregon State offensive assistant is currently 6-27 in his three seasons at NS. But he's unimpressed with Oregon's fancy facilities.

Says Stubbs, "I've been to places where you have all the bells and whistles," he said. "You know, I came to Nicholls our very first year, we didn't even have coaching headsets. I was like, "Are you kidding me!?!" When I came here we only had 56 players, and now we have 110 players."

Canzano goes on to write:
Stubbs said he believes too much can be made of high-definition video technology, and "bells and whistles that come with money." He remembers coaching decades ago when there was no videotape of practice.
"We didn't film. We especially didn't film practice. Everything was on a yell-ah notepad."
Yes, Stubbs said it just like that: "Yell-ah."


Veteran Oregon fans can sympathize with small, low budgeted, losing teams. The Ducks were there. But what changed was a group of supporters inside and outside the university, including the coach, who said, "What can we do to improve?"

Yes, Phil Knight had much to do with it. But it wasn't all him. It was coaches telling him and others, "Recruits LOVE bells and whistles. Let's make Oregon a fun and modern place to play."

But that's fine. If Coach Stubbs believes in what he's doing, and satisfied with his game plan and reason for being here (They'll collect a check for $450,000.), then more power to him. Good luck believing your recruits enjoy your waxing poetic about "yell-ah pads", coach.

Coach Stubbs: "So you got yer fancy TV's and comfy couches
and swimming pools? Well Laa-Dee-FRICKEN' Daaaa! Maybe while
you're soakin' your tootsies in your hot tub, you can think about me
FREEZIN' MY GONADS OFF in a van parked down by the river!!!"

Obviously he's a man who expects more of his program. At Oregon State from 1985 - 1990 under Dave Kragthorpe, he helped steer the team to a 17-48 record -- a far better percentage than what he's got now.

They say temperatures at game time could approach the low 90's. Do everyone a favor, Stubbs. Don't pass. It just stops the clock. The sooner the game ends the sooner you can collect your check.

As I write this post, Ken Goe (who asked never to be mentioned in this blog) just published a worthy and necessary story in the Oregonian [Ducks' Lap of Luxury is Poor Message] about comparing the new and opulent Hatfield-Dowlin Football Performance Complex to some of the broken down facilities that current Oregon faculty have to struggle with. No doubt some differences are stark, and I for one will always join any campaign to improve academic conditions (They can start by tearing down and replacing that worthless Prince Lucien Campbell faculty building.).

But when I compare Oregon's present situation with Stubbs' wrinkling his nose at Oregon's success as he brings his uninspired football team in to whore their pride and collect their money, it begs the following question:
 
Who would you rather be, A school that snivels and wallows in its wanting, or one that says "We want to do what it takes to improve."? Isn't that the inspired lesson we want to teach to college students?

While the academic side of Oregon can always improve, and I'm glad that Goe's article doesn't let us lose sight of that, let's not forget the other opulent gifts from Knight: The Knight Law Center and the refurbished Knight Library, just two of the many new and improved buildings, facilities and dorms over the past 20 years.

No, this Mad Duck will NOT feel embarrassed for Oregon's success that either depresses the Nicholls States who are otherwise free to make forward choices for themselves, or galls the USC's and LSU's for beating them at their own high dollar game.

This is Oregon's time. No apologies. Welcome to the New Age.


Nicholls State game time 1pm Pacific on the new Fox Sports 1 network.

It Begins

Maybe this will be the year. We got the players, a good schedule, a good, albeit new coach. The NCAA Rules Infraction Committee -- after over two years of shaking their fingers, flapping their jaws and waving their arms -- decided there was just no making a mountain out of Oregon's molehill and slapped them with a benign probation. 

So the stage is set. Take care of business and maybe Oregon will be the team to end the SEC's vise grip on the National Championship.

Are head coach Mark Helfrich and his offensive coordinator Scott Frost ready? These are new positions for both of them. Will the play-by-play communication be tight? Will their "always on" 2-minute offense make the right critical decisions when there are actually 2 minutes left in a tight game?

Helfrich is in a great position. He's had four years with this successful team. The first thing he did was not do anything. He changed very little in the way the guys practice, although one change allowed us to see this.

In case you didn't know, the window inside practices was opened a little wider. Former Register Guard reporter Rob Moseley was hired by Oregon this season to a fun job: Full time head editor for Oregon's own blog at GoDucks.com. He gets to watch and report (lightly) on daily practices.

A look at the depth charts is promising. When reading stories of position-by-position personnel available to Oregon like in the links below, words like "deep in talent", and "perhaps the best ever" keep showing up.
 
http://www.addictedtoquack.com/2013/8/8/4600754/oregon-position-preview-defensive-secondary

http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2013/08/oregon_ducks_football_offensiv_5.html

http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2013/08/oregon_football_deep_and_talen.html

The whole country is recognizing Oregon's defensive secondary led by All American Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. The defensive line is two deep with talented veterans at every spot. An Alabama fan on their blog "Roll Tide Roll" said that Oregon's defense might be as good as theirs. That's high praise coming from those arrogant A-holes.  

The offensive line is also deep. Marcus Mariota has Hroniss Grasu, his all important center from last year, and two returning starters at the guard positions. The rest of the line are veterans returning from injuries plus some very talented redshirts ready to get into rotation.

The receiving corps is getting a lot of attention. Led by amazing wide receiver Josh Huff, the Ducks are giddy over his supporting cast of Keanon Lowe, Blake Stanton, Daryle Hawkins, and B.J. Kelley, who may be the second fastest player on the team behind De'Anthony Thomas. Colt Lyerla leads a stable of big talented tight ends.

As for running backs, it is clear that DAT, while he's a lightning bolt in cleats, should not, and will not, take a large number of pounding and grinding carries. Byron Marshall is apparently doing well to take over the primary running duties vacated by Kenjon Barner. Marshall doesn't come with the fanfare of a Barner or LaMichael James. But he's turning that into a hunger to make us forget about those other guys.

You may have heard that freshman sensation Thomas Tyner was seen limping off the field in crutches and an owie boot last week. No word on the seriousness of the injury. Coach Helfrich brushed it off as nothing.

For Oregon with all of it's weapons, this is not devastating news like it might have been years ago. No one was expecting Tyner to have a huge impact on this season. If he plays this season, it's just extra gravy on the cake. 

The biggest concern I have is at QB. No I'm not worried about Mariota. He's on track to be amazing this year. But if he goes down, Oregon could have a problem.

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20130814/UPDATE/130814024/Oregon-football-Backup-QB-position-behind-Mariota-continues

Backups Jeff Lockie and Jake Rodrigues are both talented red shirt freshmen. But they are green, and I don't mean in a good Duck kind of way. Mariota's experience enables him to make decisions like a pro. Oregon's offense doesn't get that with the other two right now.  Can they win games? Sure. But the big goal would be in doubt.

SO HAVE YOU SEEN IT YET?
 Next to the Casanova Center, Oregon built a new Football Perfection Center . . . (sorry) . . . Performance Center. It's making absolutely everybody's faces turn red. Most Duck fans glow with pride, while some blush in over-opulent embarrassment, and the Duck or general college football haters burn with envy and/or disdain.

It's extreme. No expense spared. Privately funded. $68 million. 145,000 square feet. The finest materials shipped from all over the world. World-class chefs. Cutting edge technology. For the most complete slide show with descriptions, go the source at goducks.com.

Or I can give you my own photo tour below.

University of Oregon Football Performance Center...

...with water feature.

Stairs to the front.
"Daddy, is this Heaven?"
"No son, it's Oregon Football."



Head coach's office overlooking practice fields.
 

Weight room.
"Hey are your shoes clean?
No stepping on the "O" with dirty shoes."

Priceless Art Gallery

"Eat Your Enemies" Food Court
The place for Buffalo Wings and Cougar Cheese.

Lobby with a hand made glass duck for
every player who went to the NFL.
Even Herman Ho-Ching?!?!?

Chapel

The coaches' very own hydrotherapy pool.
Didn't every James Bond villain, ever, have one of these?















Las Vegas shows every Wednesday night!



They call this the "War Room".
This is where they gather to laugh at USC.

Petting Zoo

Still, there's one thing I'm not seeing, as we
look upon this players' lounge outfitted with
all the necessary gaming equipment ......

.... I'm not seeing any designated area
for these student-athletes to study.
You know .....STUDY? SCHOOL? COLLEGE?
 Oh never mind. Forget I brought it up.
Don't want to be a fun sucker.

THE SCHEDULE
Here is a look at the teams in the upcoming schedule.

Saturday, August 31st: Nicholls State. I feel sorry for them. More on that next week.

Saturday September 7th: @ Virginia.  After going 4-8 last year, Virginia coach Mike London blew up his staff and brought in a new offensive and defensive coordinator.  We'll see if that fixes the problem when they open against BYU.

Saturday, September 14th: Tennessee. What? An SEC team is coming to Autzen?!?!? The Ducks served notice to all traditional football powers three years ago when they humiliated Tennessee 48-13 in Knoxville. But this year, former Cincinnati Bearcat coach Butch Jones will be in charge at Rocky Top U. Bring it on. Let's light up that scoreboard.

Saturday, September 28th: Cal. After a bye week, a great way to start off Pac-12 play. First year Cal Coach Sonny Dykes selected a true freshman to quarterback the team as they open their season against No. 22 Northwestern, No 2 Ohio State, and No. 3 Oregon. He says he hopes to put Cal "on the map." The map of what, I'm not sure. 

Saturday, October 5th: @ Colorado.  Colorado is another team with a new head coach. Mike MacIntyre brings a hurry up, no huddle style from San Jose State to try to turn around the 1-11 Buffs of last year. Oregon should offer them a good educational clinic on how that kind of system works when done well.
 "You're welcome, Colorado. Happy to help."

Saturday, October 12th: @ Washington.  The Dawgs are pretty proud of their newly renovated Husky Stadium. The Ducks need to go up there and help them BREAK IT in.

Saturday, October 19th: Washington State. The Cougs ended last year's 3-9 season with a stunning upset over Washington. Hopefully they'll continue to improve now that they've figured out the cagey part of their helmets goes on the front of their heads.

Saturday, October 26th: UCLA. This is the game that worries me. With this contest at home before a bye week and the anticipated matchup at Stanford, it's the classic trap game. UCLA may be the best team in the South Division.

Thursday, Nov. 7th: @ Stanford. The game everyone is talking about. The possible decider of the Pac-12 Champion and perhaps even the National Championship berth.

Saturday, Nov. 16th: Utah.  The Utes are . . . . Oh who cares?

Saturday, Nov. 23rd: @ Arizona.  Desert Storm was last century. While Coach Rich "Rod" Rodriquez has the offense working pretty well, his defense was more like Dessert Storm. Opposing offenses ate it up. Most of the defense's starters return. Is that good news?

Friday, Nov. 29th: Oregon State.  Last year at this time, people were asking if it would be Coach Mike Riley's last season. Would dissatisfaction ultimately burst his bubble? Today, he is the Dean of Pac 12 coaches and his team is ranked #25. The Beavs started last year with six wins and cruised to a nine win season. No one in the conference gets more out of his players than Riley. He and his team deserve respect. The Ducks will still give them an ass-kicking, but it should be as respectful as it will be respectable. Riley has earned that.

Teams Oregon will not play: USC and Arizona State. That's not good. Those are two ranked opponents that could've helped Oregon's strength of schedule. Utah, Colorado and WSU just don't fill that gap.

Next week, a sympathetic look at Nicholls State.

--kb