Now, there is a long way to go in terms of post-season hopes, and the only thing that's guaranteed right now is six wins. Like Chip Kelly's pointed out multiple times, nobody remembers the top-5 from this time a year ago because what matters is where you're at after the last game, and a lot can (and will) happen before that.
So we (and I say we as a proud Oregon grad. People who think media are/should be truly neutral are kidding themselves)...we can't get too far ahead of ourselves because nothing's for sure. But the very fact that nothing's for sure is all the more reason to enjoy the hell out of what we have now.
To get to watch such an exciting and innovative offense continue to score at almost a point per minute and put up other ridiculous numbers, to get to see them respond to adversity at home and away, against both lesser opponents and very strong teams, and personally to have the privilege of interacting with the players and coaches and to play a small part in the media coverage of this team-it's just so cool.
To drive around town and hear the national media talking Ducks and Eugene and Autzen-not just once in a while, but every time I get in the car, and while I'm arriving or leaving the stadium for and after press conferences-and to then turn on the TV and see ESPN's daily "College Football Live" mention Oregon at least once every segment...I just can't get over how cool it is to have all the talk, consistently, be on my school, the team I cover, and the very town I live in. And the fact that a Rose Bowl berth would now be at least a slight disappointment to many...I'll say it again, that's so cool.
As a Californian who didn't even watch college football before I came here, I know I'm incredibly spoiled. I remember being excited during my freshman year when we broke into the Top-25, and I know that for many lifelong Oregon fans it wasn't so long ago that Autzen struggled to get 30,000 fans in the stands and the Ducks were in danger of getting kicked out of the Pac-10 for being so bad. That makes what's happening right now all that much sweeter. I'm really happy for the longtime Ducks to get to finally experience this level of success, and for us relatively new to the U of O community, I can't believe how lucky we are to have "landed" here and be so close to the program during some revolutionary years for the program. Because that's what this could well be, and what I really believe it is after being around the program so much over the past five and a half years as a fan, an intern with the team, and then covering them for student and community media.
Chip Kelly---The way his teams perform on the field, the way he talks on TV and during press conferences and interviews, the way his mantras rub off on his players, the way he turns fifth stringers into stars time and time again, his general outlook on everything, and the way he deals with controversy and young people's mistakes-he's just on another level, and I'd be surprised if he isn't a genius. Not just a football one. Like a Yale one. Dennis Dixon almost left football for baseball before Chip took over the offense. Later there was no more Dixon and only Justin Roper with an all-around maligned offense. Then there was Masoli. Then the all-around disaster at Boise State. Then Masoli's off the field downfall and an off-season full of players getting in trouble. Kelly, with the help of all the people he leads, turned all these "awful" situations into real long term positives. And from couches, press boxes, and press conference rooms, I've learned a lot from Kelly about football, and more about life. These are the reasons why I've believed for a long time that Kelly will become Oregon's winningest coach if they can keep him here long enough, and why I'm confident the Ducks have a legitimate shot at becoming a long term national contender-a powerhouse-and that is so cool.
So please, especially if you haven't sat through all the years of mediocrity, realize how lucky you are to be a Duck right now, enjoy the ride with me as much as you can, and temper your expectations and appreciation of whatever happens the rest of the season-good or great-with the reality of where this program was even just a few years ago, and where it looks like it's headed in the future. That very well could mean appreciating a huge post-season win that much more. It's a very special time to be a Duck, and the mere fact that we're even talking about all this is so cool.
Michael
ReplyDeletethink about adding commentary on Nick A's contribution and the wonderful absence of USC from bowl contention
gary
Thanks Gary. I worked for Coach Al and I definitely plan on discussing him and the rest of he long-tenured coaching staff at some point, as well as USC's current situation-I was just trying to keep this succinct enough to keep people interested (because I can ramble on all day if you let me!) But you're right, Aliotti's involvement has been very important, and the Trojans problems have definitely made the climb-recently and probably in the near future-a lot less treacherous.
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