One thing you can definitely say about covering Oregon football: There haven’t been many dull moments in the last few years.
George Schroeder, superb columnist with the Eugene Register-Guard, has chronicled it all, both on and off the field. With the Ducks on a collision course with the LSU Tigers down in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday night, George graciously agreed to fill us in on the off-the-field controversies and on-the-field questions for UO.
1. I’d say the biggest beneficiary of the Miami scandal breaking – aside from Charles Robinson – was Chip Kelly. Do you think the issues with Will Lyles are on the back burner for a while in terms of distractions?
I’m sure they are, but I’m not sure it has much to do with Miami and Charles’ fantastic reporting. I think it has more to do with the season finally starting. However, back burner or not, the NCAA’s investigative gears continue to grind. Although there hasn’t been much news since early July – since Will Lyles started, then stopped talking – it doesn’t mean much has changed. At some point, and perhaps even during the season, there will be new developments and it certainly could become a distraction.
2. The Ducks lost some key contributors on the offensive line. What’s the word on the newcomers?
They like ’em, and think they’re a fairly talented bunch. But that doesn’t mean we know much about ’em. For context, the last time Oregon had to essentially rebuild an offensive line was 2009. The opener was at Boise State, a well-drilled team with plenty of time to prepare for the Ducks’ spread. We all saw what happened that night. Or maybe we’ve forgotten because of what happened in the immediate aftermath when LeGarrette Blount threw the punch. Boise State’s defense stymied Oregon’s offense, and mostly it was because a brand new offensive line had a bad debut. That line got better in a hurry; by the end of the season it was pretty good (Oregon won the Pac-10 and went to the Rose Bowl, and we saw what happened last year). How will these guys do? I don’t know, but opening against LSU is a tall order.
3. Defensively, who steps in to fill Casey Matthews’ shoes?
Good question. The obvious replacement at middle linebacker is Kiko Alonso. But Alonso is indefinitely suspended – Chip Kelly won’t say it, but apparently Alonso will miss at least the season opener against LSU – after an offseason alcohol-related arrest. Dewitt Stuckey would start if Alonso doesn’t play. Alonso had a very good spring; whenever he returns, he should capably fill the middle.
4. Do you see any danger games on the schedule?
Other than LSU and Stanford? But if you’re looking for a ‘trap’ game, how about Nov. 5 at Washington? That’s a week before what could be a mega-showdown at Stanford. The Huskies have improved under Steve Sarkisian, and while there’s still a sizable talent gap, it’s a rivalry game in which the once dominant program has been down too long and the Ducks might possibly – I know Chip Kelly believes this is impossible – look ahead. I’d pick Oregon to win. But if you’re looking for a potential upset special, that’s the most obvious.
5. Is “we don’t have any weed because we smoked it all” a common get out of jail free card in Eugene? If so, what’s the cost living like? (A friend of mine wants to know.)
“We smoked it all” has quickly become Cliff Harris’ best soundbite, ever – and that’s saying something. (Meanwhile, he’s not doing interviews, which is too bad.) The cost of living here is fine. I’m not familiar, however, with the price of marijuana here relative to anywhere else. Also, to clarify: I’m not familiar with the price of weed, anywhere. I’m not sure how “we smoked it all” works as a legal defense, strictly speaking, but it seemed to mollify the state trooper. I suppose it’s possible the officer has attended our annual “Country Fair” and understands a losing battle when he smells it. That’s “country,” not “county” (though we have one of those). Google it.
Follow Crystal Ball Run on Twitter @CrystalBallRun.
