It's Civil War Week and Here's the Secret: Don't Get Riled about Things that Don't Matter

Arizona kicker Alex Zendejas apologized for taunting Chip Kelly at the end of the first half. It's obvious that kickers don't study film. He would have known how unwise it was to make a taunting gesture toward the Ducks, when you still have to play the second half. Zendejas did something similar last year. You'd think a kid from a long line of famous kickers would know better.

He should have let his play do the talking, because he had a good game, nailing a couple of field goals and sticking a punt out of bounds at the one yard line. Of course the Ducks got the in-your-face on that one, driving 99 yards for another score.

B.J. Kelley is down to Oregon and two other schools. The two positions of immediate need for Oregon this recruiting season are defensive tackle and wide receiver, but indications are they'll meet those needs. The recruiting class has plenty of star power, and the Ducks are redshirting a dozen of the most talented kids they've ever recruited. Imagine an offensive backfield next year that can feature Darron Thomas, LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner, Josh Huff, Dontae Williams, and Lache Seastrunk.

One big benefit is that with those other feature pieces, James' workload can go down a little. He'll be a fresher, more effective back at 20 carries a game than the 28, 29, 31, and 36 he hit in games this year. James has taken a lot of punishment, and he's a step slower at the second level in the second half of the season. He hasn't had the explosive burst to beat the last tackler on several runs each game against Washington, Cal and Arizona. Josh Huff made a key cutback on his 85-yard run last Saturday, a speed move LMJ hasn't had after the pounding he's taken over the last several weeks. He's still a tough, effective back, but he's hampered by all the hits. On his one breakaway run of Saturday's game he lowered his head and blasted the cornerback head on instead of cutting and leaving him in the dust. No one would ever question James' heart, talent or ability. But it's evident he's worn down a little by his workload.

Next year he'll be able to share the load, assuming he returns. I'd be surprised to see him leave this year for the NFL. They're restructuring rookie contracts, and James projects as a second to fourth rounder right now. The NFL wants backs that look like Adrian Peterson and Chris Henry. James will have to fight the stereotypes to avoid being pigeonholed as a third-down back.

Auburn passed the Ducks for number one in the BCS, but it doesn't matter. Oregon has a comfortable lead over TCU, Wisconsin and Stanford, and those schools don't have any more games to play. If they beat the Beavs, they'll go to Glendale, period. It just means they'll have to wear the road jerseys, which only limits them to 240 combinations.

The players seem remarkably focused and unaffected by the Civil War hype or national championship hype. They answer questions in the same way and talk about getting ready for the next game just as they have all year. Their commitment to that this game, this opponent mentality will serve them well in the increasing attention. Things will remain familiar and manageable regardless of how many cameras and microphones there are.

TCU is joining the Big East. I understand it; they want a shot at the big prize and the opportunity to be recognized and respected instead of discounted. But really, joining a league with eight schools 1500 miles from home? How do you sell recruits on that? And how does it play in the minor sports, the women's cross country team and men's baseball?

I'm looking forward to the next major reorganization of division one football and a return to geographical sanity, maybe a 64 or 96-team superconference with true geographical boundaries and logical rivalries. TCU should play Baylor and Texas and Texas A&M. Connecticut and Pitt? Not so much.