Reflections from an embarrassing loss....

We got drubbed by a far-superior USC team. Our defense is flat-out terrible. Teams have rediscovered that our "bend, but don't break" defense is a poor strategy. We try to get too cute on offense, and opposing teams make us pay. Our game day coaching is awful. With that said, our Ducks are back to being a laughing stock in college football right now.

I'm not one to always to "fire this person", but clearly, some changes are needed here. It might be time for Coach Bellotti to put his friendship with Nick Aliotti aside, and let him go. We need a defense that's going to take some chances, and not play 10 yards off of wherever the football is going.

Also, I'm really getting tired of hearing about our uniform combinations by commentators, along with things that have nothing to do with football, during the game. I like our uniforms, but maybe the time is right to go back to simple helmets (the ol' lemonheads, with the green stripe down the middle, for example) and jerseys with pre-1998 block numbers. At least, that way, the media will hopefully... hopefully talk about the Ducks' field play, rather than what's coming down the catwalk.

After thinking about who we've beaten this year, I think the best the Ducks can hope for is becoming bowl eligible, and seriously evaluating the state of the team for the 2009 season. I will say this, much to some people's chagrin, we will never excel on the national stage until we play to win... ALWAYS!

In-state non-Comcast fans shouldn't have to pay to watch OSN on the internet

Going along with the lines of the many blogs that already have addressed this issue, I've got to say this latest move is quite uncaring. OSN will help in-state fans, especially the Medford and Bend media markets (and others without Comcast), in getting Duck games... for a hefty fee. $79.95 for an annual fee, if not paid by September 12th? Wow. It just seems unfair, and it takes advantage of fans in an already tough economy. I live in Salem, but highly prefer DirecTV over Comcast. I'd like to set my DVR to record the game, but I'm not about to pay Comcast on top of the $100/month I pay for satellite.

I actually go to the games at Autzen, but that's not the point. I wouldn't pay a dollar for the service, when it should already be on LOCAL TELEVISION for all to see, at least in the state of Oregon! To those who agree, keep complaining to the university... something has got to give.

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Moving on... it's a good thing we have Utah State on Saturday. I want to see more of LaGarrette Blount, and a Duck shellacking, like last week. 56-3 is my take. To those going, have a good game! GO DUCKS!!

Great photoshop of the new "Northwest Championship" T-Shirt

This is a great example of photoshop at its finest (*laugh*). GO DUCKS! (Courtesy of Off the Pond)

56 hours until kickoff... so here's some random thoughts

I only wish we didn't have to wait around all day to see the Ducks take on the Huskies. But, we'll be tailgating early on Saturday, so there is an upside to the long day.

The Beavers take on the Cardinal tonight, and I'm expecting a good game. Look for OSU to be on "upset alert", as Stanford might pull one off here.

I hope to be writing more again on this blog, but time will be a factor, as our new family business is still taking shape (and more of my time). Just not enough time as to missing any home games. I guarantee it.

Also, the Oregon Club of the Willamette Valley's website is up (I'm now on the board of directors), along with the Duck game day weather forecast by Dave Sweeney. Enjoy and GO DUCKS! Hush the Puppies!

Nate, it's time to hang it up.

If you haven't already heard from the overnight news, Oregon QB Nate Costa will now miss the entire season, after finding in surgery that there is more damage to his repaired ACL and meniscus than intially thought.

As soon as I heard a few days ago, that Costa was expected to miss 8-10 weeks of this season, I figured that there wasn't much chance of him coming back this year at all. I told a friend of mine (then) that this could be it for Nate. Now we know for sure.

Nate, I know what you're going through. I know what it's like to have this kind of injury....

That was me (in the middle) in June 2004. I had a blown out knee here, after playing in an Aussie Rules Football game, a sport I love almost as much as college football. My knee has never been the same since, even with surgery. And, after three surgeries yourself, Nate, I don't think it'll ever be the same for you either.

So I say this with a heavy heart, but Nate, the time is right for you to find something else to do in life (coaching, maybe?). I know the road to recovery will be difficult, but the rest of your life is in front of you, and you'll be a stronger person in the long run.

Good luck to you, and GO DUCKS!