WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? by ST

Not sure I get the local, regional and national horror over UCLA representing the South Division in the first Pac 12 title game. It's certainly not a feather in the cap of the league, but what would you have Commissioner Larry Scott do? We all knew the rules coming in, they've been followed and that's the deal. I'm not a Pac 12 fan. I'm about my team, and in the case of the NCAA hoop tournament, my bracket. I don't necessarily root for or against conference teams in bowl games or against other areas of the country. That said, if the Ducks dust the Bruins, it's forgotten and you have an elite team representing the Pac 12 in the Rose Bowl. Sometimes a basketball team wins their post season league tournament with a .500 record. Then they get buried in the 1st round by North Carolina and it's over. Last year in the NFL the stinking Seahawks went 7 & 9 and made the playoffs. It happens. In 2008 the 4 best teams in the ACC all lost 3 conference games. What the heck is that? Would you rather have top to bottom mediocrity or a trio of powerhouses that show off excellence. Last year UConn got the Big East BCS bowl birth with 4 losses! Granted, some of these cases are not as extreme as UCLA but it's the way things played out. On today's shows I'll throw out a scenario that hopefully will further this argument. Speak with you then!

Civil War, by Casey Mitchell

The Ducks loss last Saturday is the kind of loss that makes it fun to be a college football fan. It's not like the NFL where you can lose the last 6 games of the season, and still have playoff aspirations. Matt Barkley was looking like Joe Montana, and there were some calls at the end of the game that I disagreed with, but hey, it's hard to question the coaching of Chip Kelly. However, Oregon's season is in no way a lost cause. We have a big Civil War game coming up tomorrow, and if we can get by that, we will be playing for roses in the first ever Pac-12 Championship Game. The Ducks should be able to handle the Beavs for the fourth straight time. This is also the fourth straight Civil War with BCS implications. Oregon State standing at 3-8 overall is considering this game, their bowl game. They haven't beat us since the 2007 season, and they would love to knock us out of the Rose Bowl the way we did to them in 2008. I think that they will hang with us for a quarter or so, but we will pull away with it. Prediction -- Ducks 52 Beavers 27.

I would just like to reiterate that I am a guest blogger, and my thoughts and opinions do not reflect Steve's thoughts or opinions. I think that Joe Paterno deserved the punishments, but it is a shame that this is what he will be remembered for.

On another note, the MLB has slated some new rules to the game. Starting next season, there will be one more Wild Cared team, and they will have a one game playoff to see who advances to the Division Series. Also in 2013, the Houston Astros will be added to the AL West, and interleague will be played everyday like the AFC and NFC do it in football. I like the new rules, I have been waiting for the Astros to move for a while, and I like the idea of another Wild Card team and the one game playoff.

FACTUALLY SPEAKING by ST

Can't believe how many on a national level are expressing their doubt over the selection of the Tiger's Justin Verlander as AL M.V.P. Aside from bought and paid for politicians, the Baseball Writer's Association of America are the most arrogant, dismissive pickleheads I follow. There is no formula to gauge value. No slide rule or over the top Sabre-metrics. It's freaking baseball not splitting the atom. Without Verlander Detroit falls out of the race early and never gets a whiff of the post season. I love the decision!
Monday night football began with the Jets & Browns back in September of 1970. I can honestly say last night's game between the Patriots & Chiefs cost me the least amount of time ever. I maybe checked in three times. Giants & Saints this coming Monday will warrant my attention.
With the NBA bozos ripping the season away, I may refind my NHL roots. From the early 1970's through my relocating to Eugene in 1990, hockey was well up my list. My buds & I hit the Garden(Rangers), Nassau Colesium(Isles) or then Byrne Arena(Devils) at least 12-15 times a year. Here in the Valley I've switched up passions and those nights on frozen pond have been replaced by various forms of Pac 10/12 action. With no pro hoops, might be time to get on board with the NHL.
We will be taking your legendary Civil War moments the next 2 days on the big programs. Interesting that in the more modern era, Oregon State has not successfully played the role of spoiler. Their big win in 2000 was huge for them as it led to a BCS birth. In 1994, 2001, and last season the Ducks won. Only Oregon has entered the contest with no shot at a conference title or major bowl bid and cost their rival. That was 2008. Food for thought.

IMPERFECTION CONTINUES TO RULE by ST

And then there was one, well 2. LSU and Houston remain the lone unbeatens at the FBS level. The Cougs are 8th in the BCS and need 6 teams to lose in order to qualify for the title game. But once again we learned to take nothing for granted. It's been questioned who suffered to worst loss this weekend, Oklahoma State, Oregon or Oklahoma. Really? It's not obvious that the Cowboys who held fate in their hands was most damaging. The Ducks and Sooners would have needed to play scoreboard or hack a few computers. OSU just had to beat Iowa State, who'd never beaten a team ranked in the top 5 then Oklahoma and pack for the natty.
Really impressed with the Oregon fans I've heard from since the post game and via text and email. With the heartbreaking defeat in the rear view mirror, lot of credit to USC, a solid understanding of all this team has accomplished and still can.
From the it's okay to disagree file, I'm not on board with the lack of timeouts on the fateful drive to end the USC call. Here's my angle. If the game is tied and you have the defense on their heels, maybe just roll. Trailing I take nothing for granted. Time is to be treasured. 2 plays. Both Rahsaan Vaughn and Kenyon Barner made 9 yards meaning the clock continued to run. Gotta call time outs in each of those situations. From my chair. Once again the Civil War has monster implications. Beavs get to play spoiler like the Ducks did in 2008.

Back In The Hunt, by Casey Mitchell

Well, it's taken a little longer than I thought, but the Ducks have worked their way back into the National Title hunt after their big win over Sanford last week. If we want to stay in the Natty race, we have to take care of business this week vs. the Trojans at home. USC has a very explosive offense, averaging almost 400 total yards per game, but the Ducks defense has been playing lights out as of late. LaMichael James has diffidently worked himself back into the Heisman discussion. He has put up some very impressive numbers considering he missed two games due to his elbow injury. The only thing that worries me, is that it seems that Darron Thomas isn't playing to his full potential this year, but that's just my opinion. This year, Thomas has thrown for 1704 yards and 22 touchdowns, but he has thrown 5 picks. If the Ducks defense can continue to play the way they have been playing, we should be able to take care of business this week. Prediction -- Ducks 42 Trojans 28.

The Denver Broncos went from 1-4 and dead in the AFC West with Kyle Orton, but ever since they converted to Tim Tebow, they have gone 4-1 and right in the midst of the Playoff race. At the beginning, no one thought that he could make it as a pro, but with the option offense, Tebow had a statement game this Thursday vs. the Jets, who have a very good defense but if there's one thing Tim Tebow knows how to do... It's win.

MIDWEEK by ST

I've seen a few polls about the Packers and their shot to repeat as Super Bowl champ. A reason I like their chance is simple. They're in. I've said for years that in MLB and the NFL, it's huge just to qualify. Then you get hot and win the whole thing. Green Bay's offense is frightening. They won and in essence add a horse like TE Jermichael Finley who was hurt during last winter's run. Jordy Nelson has joined Greg Jennings to form a killer 1-2 punch with James Jones a more than capable 3. James Starks & Ryan Grant are a very potent combo running it and Aaron Rodgers has now pulled alongside Brady as thee man at QB. On defense Desmond Bishop went from special teams demon and rotation guy at linebacker to a beast. Had more than 100 tackles last year and is on pace for about 135 or 140 in 2011. 2nd year man Morgan Burnett has emerged at safety and even though he just broke his hand, the kid from Georgia Tech is a stud. What I love about this team put together by Ted Thompson is no one else is loaded up with more of their "own" draft picks. These guys are Packers. They have an excellent shot of become the 1st Green Bay team to win back to back Super Bowls since the Lombardi group won the 1st two! Just wanted to focus on something positive. Enjoy your Wednesday.

CORRECTION by ST

Got a comment from Friday's blog. For clarification that was our "guest" blog and not my opinion. I apologize for any confusion. I've been pretty clear I think Joe Paterno is completely culpable in any vile acts committed by Jerry Sandusky since finding out what a pig he is as early as 1998. I was also disgusted by NBC & Bob Costas for giving that pedophile air time last night. Are they that desperate for TV ratings? I had to turn it off. He really needed to think about his answer to "are you attracted to young boys"? This guy is a classic predator. Charming, dishonest, selfish and dangerous. I do not understand why he's not behind bars! That's all for today!