After the hype and press conferences, they have to play a game

Will Oregon earn their wings in the 2012 Rose Bowl, and shake off the image of the flashy, fancy team that can't get it done in big games? (brobible.com photo)

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Rose Bowl facts and friction: Wisconsin versus Oregon

One expert already predicts the Badgers to win. Rob Moseley of the Register-Guard, beat writer extraordinaire among Duck fans, has the game 28-24, Wisconsin. Moseley, having picked Oregon to beat Ohio State, Auburn and LSU, now says the Ducks have to prove it, outplaying their opponent in a big game instead of falling flat.


The matchup with Wisconsin looks more favorable than their previous confrontations against the nation's elite squads.

Photo right: Shining moment for a young legend? Oregon's chances for their first Rose Bowl victory in 94 years increase dramatically with a big game from their explosive all-purpose threat, freshman De'Anthony Thomas (koin.com photo)

Going bowling: how Chip Kelly and the Ducks avoid another gutter ball in a BCS game

Wisconsin is a good, solid football team with many weapons. But the good news is they don't have the physical, overpowering defensive line that Auburn or Ohio State had. It's a much better matchup for the Ducks.


They will still have to play very well to win.

 photo left: Darron Thomas needs to be accurate and effective against an exploitable Wisconsin secondary next week, or the Ducks will struggle to sustain their offensive tempo.

On Christmas Day Oregon fans count their Duck blessings

It's gratifying to see that not only are the Ducks winners and champions, they are also good people.

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What Matt Barkley's decision means for the Ducks

The easy road of dominance Oregon enjoyed over the last three years has ended. Next year, the Ducks face the prospect of beating USC twice to make the BCS final, at least once to make the Rose Bowl next year.

Conquest: Barkley's golden moment, leading the Trojan band after the upset win over Oregon this November on national TV, led directly to his decision to return for his senior year (Patrick Gee photo).

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Trading places: A Wisconsin blogger says why Oregon will win the Rose Bowl

Special Guest Post by Andrew Coppen, writer/editor for wiscobadgers.com

As part of the ongoing agreement with The Duck Stops Here we bring you our 2nd feature in Opposition Recon and it’s a bit different than anything we’ve really done before, we’re giving the opposition the reasons they will win the Rose Bowl. So, Ducks fans, I hope you enjoy our 5 Reasons Why Oregon Will Win.

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Oregon recruiting: Kyle Long blessed by the broken road that led him straight to the Ducks

Older, wiser and stronger, Kyle Long is eager for his second opportunity to become a major college athlete at a top program (rivals.com photo).

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Oregon recruiting: Can the Ducks pry Jeremiah Poutasi loose from the Utes?

Desert Pines strongman Poutasi is a pile-driving warrior with uncommon strength and size (rivals.com photo).

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Fentress takes on the Oregon fanbase: Is Chip Kelly the best Oregon coach ever, better than Bellotti?

Chip Kelly's pointed the way to 33 wins in three seasons as Oregon coach, and both his parents and his players believe in him. Is he Oregon's best ever?

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Oregon recruiting: breaking down the Oregon defensive line class

Special guest writer Michael  analyzes the Oregon recruiting class at defensive line, which has a been a bugaboo and a bone of contention among fans for many years. "Why can't Oregon recruit any more stud defensive lineman?" fans ask, but as McCoy points out, this year they may be doing exactly that.

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Oregon recruiting: Marcus Rios would be a great fit for an athletic Oregon secondary of the future

Marcus Rios is a standout cornerback, rated one of the best 20 in the country by scout.com. (photo semperfidelisbowl.com)


At 6-0, 170, he is physical and athletic, with an aggressive style that would make him a great fit along with Terrance Mitchell, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and Troy Hill in John Neal's ballhawking secondary of the future.

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Saying good-bye to LaMichael James

abc.com photo

Whether he's decided or not, announced or not, confirmed by a reliable source or not, LaMichael James is probably leaving for the NFL after the Rose Bowl. And he should.

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Oregon recruiting: recruiting decisions take faith, ripple through many careers and futures

This week Oregon got a verbal commitment from defensive tackle Stetzon Bair, and in doing so they said good-bye to Faith Ekakitie.

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Oregon recruiting: new verbal commit Stetzon Bair could become a giant problem for PAC-12 offenses

He has the most kickass football name since Bronko Nagurski. You'd expect Stetzon Bair to manhandle offensive linemen like steers, chasing down ball carriers like strays in the mesquite, all the time exuding the confident, manly fragrance of victory.

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Badgered by the Badgers: a two-part Rose Bowl preview with wiscobadgers.com

Andrew Coppens and the writers at wiscobadgers.com join DSH for a preview of the Rose Bowl. Who prevails, blur-fast speed or smashmouth power?

Part one

Part two

Oregon, Wisconsin seek to climb over each other to reach the top rung of college football

With a win over the other in the Rose Bowl, Wisconsin or Oregon takes a leap forward as a national program.

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Oregon recruiting: Texas speedster Trey Williams will remind you of another one, but he has potential all his own

Trey Williams is a 5-8, 170-lb. running back from Houston, Texas. He's fast, shifty and has great vision, with talent you can't help but compare to LaMichael James.

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Oregon recruiting: Ohio tight end Pharaoh Brown is building his own success pyramid

From the Brush High Arcs of Lyndhurst, Ohio, Pharaoh Brown is rising like a wonder of the world.

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A stab at the college football awards, and Oregon players who deserve an honorable mention

Only the Army-Navy game remains in college football's regular season, so it's time for bowl predictions, season recaps and award ceremonies. Here's a look at the superlatives in a super year of college football:

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Cliff Harris smoked it all, and burned all his bridges

It's a testament to the character and resilience of the Oregon team that in each of Chip Kelly's first three years, they won a conference title with a key player suspended or dismissed for disciplinary reasons. The Ducks went 36-6 without running back LeGarrette Blount in 2009, returning starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in 2010, and All-American returner and cornerback Cliff Harris in 2011.
 
In a different era, with a different coach or in a different part of the country, these three players would have been coddled through. Urban Meyer's Florida teams had 31 arrests involving 25 players. Many of those players missed no more than a half against Central City Tech, and the Gators won two national championships. 

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Oregon finishes a great accomplishment; now faces a month of unfinished business

Bruce Ely photo, oregonlive.com. For a terrific photo essay on
Oregon's win in the PAC-12 Championship Game visit here

Darron Thomas has led an 11-2 team that scores 46 points and averages over 500 yards a game, but like his teammates, his resume won't be complete until he wins a BCS bowl.

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Keys to the game: UCLA at Oregon, for the Rose Bowl

Temporary banners, an unfamiliar stadium announcer, a diluted crowd, weird start time, short week, emotion-charged opponent, that's all so much fluff. This is the PAC-12 Championship. UCLA's come to town hoping to send out their embattled coach with a storybook victory and shock the world, but the Ducks have to ignore the hysteria and hype and win their 11th football game.


Oregon is 60 minutes away from an historic accomplishment. A win earns their third straight conference championship, and makes them the only team to appear in a BCS bowl for the last three years.

photo left: Everybody wears their game face, but a game head, heart and hands are what matters. The Ducks must execute to beat UCLA and finish a run to the Rose Bowl (AP, Greg Wahl-Stephens photo).

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Can the Bruins win one for the Slickster?

On Wednesday, the UCLA players carried their coach off the field at the end of practice. It was a subdued rather than a jubilant tribute, and Neuheisel, often despised by many opposing fans for his glibness, was visibly moved and humbled by their show of affection and support.

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Marvin Johnson, master of the hustle and flow

Remember Marvin Johnson? A hard-hitting special teams player and nickleback, Johnson played for the Ducks from 2007-2010. He made a big interception in the win over Arizona that clinched the Rose Bowl in 2009. He had 26 tackles and a fumble recovery as a senior, including two tackles in the National Championship Game against Auburn.

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