Oregon Head Coach Wishlist

 The Oregon Ducks are on another Head Coaching search... this is after Mario Cristobal fled to hot and sunny Miami to take over the Hurricanes program that has been irrelevant on the National stage for almost two decades now. 

This seems like a similar movie all over again for Oregon. Willie Taggart left Oregon after 2017 for Florida State and has already been fired. 

I think that is what makes this next hire so crucial in the longevity of this program. However, if your looking for the next coach that is not going to bolt for the next great opportunity than we might be looking for a long time. I thought Oklahoma was one of the 5 star coaching destinations that was untouchable. I was wrong. Lincoln Riley is now at USC. 

Oregon seems to be a tier two coaching spot. This means that there is another tier above us. This is though the third time in a decade that a coach has left because they saw greener grass. Oregon fans should expect this to happen once per decade until we can win a Natty. 

 I would expect a coach by January 4th but I'm curious what transpires. Here is a list of coaches that I would happy about. 

Luke Fickell

Dana Holgorsen

Dave Clawson

Matt Campbell

Dave Aranda

Mike Gundy

Tom Allen

Mel Tucker

Bill Clark

Kalani Sitake

There is more I would consider but can't see them leaving for Oregon. These are active head coaches too. My favorite offense right now is Ole Miss. I wouldn't touch Lane Kiffin though with a 10 foot pole. Would consider their OC if they ran the same offense. 

Justin Wilcox and Scott Frost are two hires that scare the living daylights out of me. For a University with so much moxy and swagger I think we can do better. 

Lincoln Riley to USC is Good For The Pac 12, Despite Your Gut Saying Otherwise

 So here we are. The last day in November. The College Football coaching Carousel is nuts right now. Lincoln Riley  heading to USC is not bad for the other 11 teams in College Football, I actually believe it benefits the Pac 12 and the College Football landscape in general. 

Take the SEC for example for the last 15 years. Florida, Alabama, LSU and now Georgia have all taken major stab at being the best team since the 2001 Miami Hurricanes. All of those teams since 2006 have had there share of disappointment. Alabama went 6-7 in 2006 if you can believe it. 

The point is, these strong programs have elevated the performance of their rivals to the point Alabama might go 10-2 and be in the College Football Playoff. The Pac 12 is weak this year and it has been since about 2005. The year Oregon went to the BCS National Championship game in 2011, Washington went 6-6 and got a invite to the Holiday Bowl. Traditionally, the conferences second biggest bowl game. 

It's hard to improve when your conference is looked at like an afterthought unless USC is in the Top 10. Riley might steal a few recruits that Oregon would have got over the years but Oregon will have an easier time recruiting nationally if the Pac 12 is a strong conference. Things will even themselves out. 

Kalen DeBoer is another hire by Washington that will make Oregon's SOS higher. Remember the year when Auburn beat Alabama and Alabama still won the National Title? It was 2017. Not saying Oregon fans want to lose to Washington and still win the Natty but most Ducks fans I imagine would take that trade off. 

Oregon is 10-2 this year and the general consensus is that we have underachieved. Believe me I understand there have been frustrating times but the feeling should also be welcomed. Over 100 schools would love to have a year Oregon is having. 

I can't tell you what will happen Friday night but just know that good things will continue to happen. We had a 4-8 year in 2016 and recovered fast. If Cristobal leaves, we will find someone better. Stop worrying and enjoy the ride. We have it pretty good!

Canada is Creating Their Own Version of the "Jamaican Bobsled" Team

This isn't supposed to happen. We saw something last night that was legendary and amazing all at the same time. A Canadian team made Mexico look extremely average for the first 65 minutes of the game last night. 

In past cycles, this game would have ended 2-2. This feels like a different team though. At Honduras is our next huge task. As spectacular as we have been, we still have extremely big games in front of us. I think seven points will be enough as long as we get at least one in Panama. 

Our two remaining home games are must win games if we can't win on the road. The margin is still razor thin. This sucks because I want to enjoy being in 1st place but can't. We are so close. 

I'm assuming that Panama win their next two home games and lose their next three on the road and will have 20 points entering the last game. Canada has only two home games left. 

My feeling is that if we lose to Honduras, the odds of us beating USA and El Salvador will go up. Need bear minimum of 3 points right now. I would sign up for four points next window right now. Reason being is We just need to out point Panama by one right now because we have a superior goal differential. I don't expect to lose in Panama by three or more goals. Therefore, a seven or more goal differential should be enough. 

If we only tie all three games than getting a point in Costa Rica will be important. I think Canada can beat Costa Rica down their as Costa Rica isn't the same team they were when they got to the Quarterfinals in 2014. 

Our speed scares teams. We are rewriting how to be good at soccer. The title wave of success will come. However, it won't be the same during a three team group World Cup in the future. We need it now. 

I'll be honest, I will have a tough time focusing on work until late January. The anxiety is high. If Canada can qualify for the World Cup, it will be Canada's greatest fairytale. 

College Football is a Quadopoly and That Needs to Change

 The College Football Playoff Committee reveled their first bracket of what the CFB playoff would look like if the season had ended last week and there were a few glaring things that stood out to me that have made me question why I even watch college football. 

One thing that stands out is that Alabama is siting pretty at #2. I think one of the reasons I love sports is that most leagues, the best teams don't always get in. The NCAA Tournament doesn't have the best 68 teams. The NFL Playoffs aren't the best 14 teams and so on. That's what makes qualifying for the playoffs so fun. 

The Alabama situation will play itself out. Either they beat Georgia and are worthy or they will have two losses and will likely be out considering no two loss team has ever made it. Unfortunately, they will likely put them in and make an exemption because the committee has favoritism. 

I have criticized the committee ever since they snubbed TCU and it is completely obvious that they are only after money and they want the big schools in. 

The other glaring mistake was putting Cincinnati at #6. They look unbelievable when they are firing on all cylinders and won At Indiana and At Notre Dame. So what else do they need to do. The Group of five might as well form their own CFP if they don't get in this year. This year feels like their best chance with all the crazy upsets. 

Wake Forest - To me this feels like a slap in the face to the ACC more than anything. It also ties into the favoritism that the committee shows. If it was Clemson that had the same resume than that team would be closer to #4. If they win out it will be a historical season for them but getting into the Top 4 will be hard. 

The last team that is interesting is Oregon. Might be the most controversial team in the Top 10. Despite their win over Ohio State they haven't looked that great. However, the comittee recognized some key things that a team like Wake Forest might not have gotten. For one, Fresno State is a good win. What looked like a underwhelming win has now worked in their favor as the Bulldogs have proved to be a very talented team. 

Oregon also has the swagger of the National eye as their connection with Nike really benefits them in getting in marquee games. Other teams love to hate them and they are one of the most talked about teams in college football. 

For instance, look at the teams that have competed for a College Football Playoff. Only Michigan State is the only non football powerhouse. 

APP	School	Conf	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
6	Alabama	SEC	SF	CH	RU	CH	RU		CH
6	Clemson	ACC		RU	CH	SF	CH	RU	SF
4	Ohio State	Big Ten	CH		SF			SF	RU
4	Oklahoma	Big 12		SF		SF	SF	SF
2	Notre Dame	Ind./ACC					SF		SF
1	LSU	SEC						CH
1	Oregon	Pac-12	RU
1	Georgia	SEC				RU
1	Florida State	ACC	SF
1	Michigan State	Big Ten		SF
1	Washington	Pac-12			SF

       

The College Football landscape is controlled by four main teams. For me it sucks because teams like TCU, Baylor Wake Forest and Cincinnati need way bigger pieces of pie.   

Things Will Pay off if We are Patient

 I'm by no means stating that the Vancouver Canucks first five games have been a success. I think that there is plenty of places where we can pick apart the Canucks mistakes. However, I just want to say that it feels so therapeutic to have a normal 82 game season with a sell out crowd that I'll be in attendance for. 

My whole life I wanted to be the beat writer for the Vancouver Canucks. I don't think I ever will but this blog gives me the amazing feeling like I am. 

I will whole heartily admit that not overacting to a early season win in October is almost impossible. This is the 19th year that I can say that I remember. In those 19 years we have made the playoffs 10 times. Missed them eight times and one year was outright canceled. Therefore, we have still made the playoffs more times than not since October 2002. I believe we are the most consistent Canadian team since 1990. 

Yet, as Canucks fans, we seem to want to blame ownership and management consistently for our downfalls! Enough is enough. We need to let the chips fall where they may and enjoy the roller coaster of emotions. It won't always be enjoyable but it will be way more rewarding when we win. 

I was at the pub last night and had my eye on the NFL and NLCS at the same time as the hockey game. From what I saw, we played well and it is still fun to beat Chicago. All four of our goals had two assists and we showed some backbone when Chicago tied the game up at one. 

Last game of the road tip tomorrow and we play the new team. I will say that I'm not a fan of Seattle getting a team before Quebec City but it will be worth it if they never make the playoffs. 

This year is crucial given the weak division 4-8. Need to capitalize and ignite this fan-base again. When we are a good team, Vancouver has a buzz that is indescribable and I get so many butterflies in my stomach that come with it. 

Turning Interests into Income

 When I look at my life, I kinda think it is pretty awesome! I'm striving to be a better person everyday. I have goals and plans set aside and will execute them when I have the opportunity. 

I have what is called a a strategy of life to make my life easier. Principles to live on are really what they are. 

 So here is my life strategy: 

Step 1 - Put half of your surplus after every month into a separate savings account. 

Step 2 - Turn passion into a way of making money. 

Step 3 - If your not making ends meet find a city with a cheaper cost of living. 

Step 4 - Avoid getting brainwashed. Bitcoin, sports betting and penny stocks are all profitable with right strategy and if you follow step 1 are done without money you will depend on. 

Step 5 - Don't get a car . They depreciate fast. 

Step 6 - Get into the housing market as soon as you can. Even if it's not a desirable city. It's better than paying rent. 

Step 7 - Don't go to University unless you can afford it without going into debt

 

 

Following these steps has helped me with self esteem and meaning of life. I have followed these steps the last four years and I have seen the results. 

 

My sports bet of the day is the Toronto Raptors -140 to win over the Washington Wizards. 

 

I am 13-8 on my bet of the day since May and I am confident that this pick will be a winner. 

 

In the future, I will be writing about more self growth on here than sports as I believe self growth and doing things that make you happy. 

 

I am having a very good day and feel blessed to get around to my blog. 

 

Seattle Mariners Fans haven't had a Weekend Like This since 2000

I say 2000 because 2014 seemed like a long shot. They had to win on the Saturday to make the Sunday relevant and then they were eliminated in the middle of the game. 

2000 saw close divisional races in the Wildcard and Division. The bittersweet part about this weekend is things could go well and the season could still be over early next week. 

This time around feels different. They control their own destiny and Boston is on the road. It will be a nail-biting three days and hopefully we see better crowds as the crowds have been pathetic for a playoff race.  

The Mariners are tied for the last wildcard spot with three games to go. In these cases I've always thought it was the benefit of the team that played first in the playoff race. That is Boston for tonight and tomorrow but all games start at 3pm ET 12 PT on Sunday. 

It should be a interesting finish to the season and I really hope it comes down to Sunday. That baseball is so intense. 

I think both teams win tonight which would set up Sunday being important no matter what. 

Hoping to write tomorrow and will talk about what went down.