Ditch Your Day Job

 I'm a huge fan of sports and over the last few years I have made about 3,000 dollars with sports betting and Cryptocurrency combined. Two things that people say that are risky and should not attempt to do. 

The other thing that I have had success with small cap stocks. Most people don't don't invest but when they do they invest in blue chip stocks that will generally follow the Dow. 

 Here was my game plan the last few years: 

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

These seven steps made me feel like I had a purpose in life which gave me the inspiration to want to move forward. If you live in a wealthy country their is no reason to think that you are low income even if you don't have much money. That is because some countries currency goes farther in other countries.

This is when I realized that if I didn't put any expectations on myself. After that, I felt really great about myself and started feeling that I was only responsible for what I can control. We are on this planet for a very short time and being a slave to a 40 hour work week is not something I want to be a slave to.

Tomorrow I'll explain stuff in detail how I pulled this off.

Is Altman's Success Sustainable?

 The Oregon Men's basketball team has arguably higher expectations the the football program since 2016. Since the Final four appearance Oregon has had the swagger to be the best team in the Pac 12. However, this year feels much different. 

The team is only 6-6 and 0-2 in conference play. To get an at large spot this team will likely have to go on a 15-4 run to make the Tournament. This team feels offensively and they will be in tough to be atleast 11-9 in conference. 

I think Altman has a lifetime contract at Oregon. In other words, I don't see him going anywhere or being fired anytime soon. I don't like where college basketball is going in general though which has me concerned. 

Too many players are transferring so easily that it has made recruiting almost not important anymore. Oregon has always had good recruiting classes the last few years it doesn't sit well with me that teams are able to build their team around transfers. Oregon gets the transfers too and it looks bad when you add transfers only to have a worse year the next year. 

Last year was a bothersome season despite Oregon being a #7 seed but because it was a covid season I wasn't too interested. 

I guess the real question is, will this mediocre year be an anomaly or a sign of things to come? Altman won't be fired but not firing him will lead to things becoming stale. This will happen if success isn't reached and because the bar was raised so high a few years ago this does create frustration if success isn't sustainable. 

 We will know where we are in a year from now. If not in two years. The record that he has put together is nothing short of amazing but I hope it hasn't turned for the worst.

Dana Altman (Pac-10 Conference/Pac–12 Conference) (2010–present)
2010–11	Dana Altman	21–18	7–11	T–7th	CBI Champion
2011–12	Dana Altman	24–10	13–5	T–2nd	NIT Quarterfinal
2012–13	Dana Altman	28–9	12–6	T–2nd	NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
2013–14	Dana Altman	24–10	10–8	T–3rd	NCAA Division I Third Round
2014–15	Dana Altman	26–10	13–5	T–2nd	NCAA Division I Third Round
2015–16	Dana Altman	31–7	14–4	1st	NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2016–17	Dana Altman	33–6	16–2	T–1st	NCAA Division I Final Four
2017–18	Dana Altman	23–13	10–8	T–6th	NIT Second Round
2018–19	Dana Altman	25–13	10–8	T–4th	NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
2019–20	Dana Altman	24–7	13–5	1st	NCAA Division I Canceled
2020–21	Dana Altman	21–7	14–4	1st	NCAA Division I Sweet Sixteen
2021–22	Dana Altman

Did the Canucks Make The Right Hires?

 After a roller coaster week that saw a handful of Canucks management fired and a new coach hired which has led to an impressive 4-0 start to the new ERA of Canucks hockey, it's time to evaluate what the Canucks did. 

Bruce Boudreau: 

I like the hire. It means that something has to give. Either the Canucks turn the ship around this year or Bruce Boudreau will have his first losing season as a NHL coach. This doesn't mean we are guaranteed to make the playoffs but finishing with a winning record from the hire to the end of the season will atleast keep most of the optimism for next year. 

Should go without saying but if the Canucks can avoid finishing in the 9th-13th draft standings then this shouldn't be a long turn around. Drafting 14th-16th would be bittersweet but would likely signal that the Canucks played meaningful games in March. 

Next year will be Boudreau's key test. Hopefully an ultimatum. Make the playoffs and he gets a contract extension and if he misses he should be fired. It won't be that easy, injuries and puck luck does happen. We still should be in a win now approach. Lots to look forward to and considering this team two years ago was around 500. at this time that year should be noted. 

There is a couple of things that feel different. The playoff bar seems high. Right now, Las Vegas and Colorado hold down the wildcard spots and those teams will likely finish higher in the standings. That leaves it to Calgary or Anaheim to fall out of a playoff spot. I'm surprised by both teams starts and it will take a lot for one to miss the playoffs. The other thing that might hold Vancouver back is just how competitive the Western Conference is. For instance, Chicago thought they might challenge for the playoffs and have struggled. Dallas and Winnipeg have good rosters are also on the outside looking in. The Canucks have five teams to hop over if they want to be in the playoff race which is just as daunting as their six points back which could rise to 10 if the Golden Knights win their games in hand. 

Jim Rutherford: 

I love this hire but it's a shame that he is 72 years old. He needs to hire a GM that carries out his vision when he retires. Benning was here almost eight years and the whole time we were two years away from being two years away. If Rutherford is here eight years then that brings him to 80. This would likely bring him to retirement if not sooner. Therefore, he needs to hire people that see what he sees. Rutherford might be the best GM in NHL history. He had a 17 year long run with the Carolina Hurricanes He won a Stanley Cup in nine years. Basically taking over a mediocre team that had just relocated from Hartford. 

He made key moves including trading for Doug Weight the year they won. I trust his skills to make Vancouver good again. 

I really hope this is the turning point the organization needs. I'm hopeful but would not put a dime on it. If the next 15 years doesn't work out, Francesco Aquilini might as well just sell the team. We need the next regime to work out. 

 

  

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.