Oregon’s James Faster, Scarier Than Life

LOS ANGELES — There’s a portrait of a notably horrified tailback LaMichael James trying the Space Mountain ride at Disneyland on Tuesday, an eternally lifelong image that went viral when teammate Kenjon Bamer hastily posted it on Twitter for the world to see.

Funny he revealed another side of himself, an all-encompassing athlete recently known as the fastest runner on the planet, well, at least in Oregon at Nike University. For one afternoon, a day he spent at the happiest place on earth with his teammates, touring the popular surroundings of Southern California, a star running back suddenly looked frightened.

Relax.

He was seen having fun with his entourage, and when he steps on to the Rose Bowl turf Monday, James will overcome his fears. Because – trust me on this – he’s a fearless star player at his position anchoring what is a high-flying offense, maybe even the best in the nation as long as he is carrying the ball and gaining chunks of yards. Losing to Auburn in the BCS title game was painful a year ago. That alone left a bitter, fiery taste in his mouth, ready to finally stand the test of time and prevail in a BCS bowl game.

Never to celebrate a victory in a BCS bowl game, and until he finally hoists a trophy – which might be real soon, no later than Monday night — James can sleep well in his bed at nights. If he plays efficiently, as the most valuable asset in such a paramount event, the Oregon Ducks likely can demoralize Wisconsin. Then, when the time comes, he can dazzle in his signature game and reduce the painful memories of last year’s national championship game, a gut-wrenching 22-19 loss once Auburn kicked a field goal on the final play of the game.

Situations like these, of course, he’s partly a cornerstone – except when, as it is from other perspectives, he’s the necessary component to set the tone early and lead the Ducks to new heights. He is a terror on the field in each game against any opponent, leaving the impression that he’s truly the best running back in the nation, when it’s almost certain he’ll be projected the highest among running backs for the 2012 NFL Draft.

It’s reasonable to think so, especially when he has filed paperwork with the NFL for a draft evaluation and announced that he will declare for the NFL Draft. It’s really about James’ competitive drive that separates him from average stars on the collegiate level, ready to take on new challenges and contend as the Oregon star strikes our curiosity much. It’s not unusual that he’s the more watchable player, in other words.

The thinking behind it, mind you, is quite simple as James is an electric playmaker and has defied the art of explosion and quickness. The irony is particularly gratifying, and not once is there a dull moment when James puts on his racing shoes and finishes the night with a stylish performance, capping the nicest moment as Oregon’s offensive specialist.

The beauty of speed is Oregon’s nature, so mostly James is far more superior in this well-anticipated meeting – loudly creating plenty of buzz as Oregon’s speed versus Wisconsin’s strength. And he’s far more infallible to judge on the field. With that in mind, it’s not surprising he’s a political discussion, starting a national craze, where even chatter still swirled around James when he was injured and missed two games with a dislocated elbow early in the season.


As in a multitude of well-equipped running backs, James is an instrumental piece in Oregon’s explosive rush attack, a 5-foot-9, 195-pound junior tailback from Texarkana, Texas. The result is here — he essentially owns every rushing record in school history, including career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. It would take clearly a poor performance by James to imperil his draft stock, a completely 180 degree turnaround but it seems logic to believe that won’t happen, as good as he is advertised with Oregon a win away from ecstasy.

This week alone, the yapping has been everlasting and annoying. For what it is, in three full seasons at the helm, Oregon coach Chip Kelly has taken a program into national spotlight. The downside of this is he hasn’t won a bowl game, although he’s a two-time Pac 12 coach of the year, although he’s groomed James and the rest of his powerful offense and although he’s led the Ducks to the Rose Bowl twice since 1995.

There’s nothing like, aside from the misfortunes in previous bowl appearances, having James run the fastest in a high-flying offense – the blistering, sizzling quickness within the West Coast’s dominant program, scarier than James riding a roller coaster.

Ah yes, it’s that scary.

Kelly prefers to make adjustments if his tactics are unsuccessful, but opponents usually have ample time to prepare a game-plan to neutralize Oregon’s high-flying offense, so he hasn’t employed a forceful offensive attack during bowl season. Known as a mastermind, the schemes have backfired in his face in games of huge ramifications, with the Ducks now 0-2 in bowl games since he became head coach.

If the Ducks are worried about the sturdy Wisconsin offense, they have every reason to panic a bit, realizing the Badgers are built with offensive toughness. And, believe it or not, Wisconsin’s Montee Ball, a counterpart in the marquee tailback duel, can finally earn respect. If the Badgers upset the Ducks, he and the school as Rose Bowl champs can merit prestige, national regards and more recruits in the future.

He’s not alone, and it’s not like he’s playing all by himself as it takes a total team effort. But he’s accompanied by quarterback Russell Wilson, a senior and transfer from NC State who finished ninth in Heisman voting, which forms a dangerous tandem and the toughest assignment for the Ducks.

It is, however, about chasing down James more than anything, even though Wilson and Ball assembles a bottomless nucleus. For at least this game, as logic tells us, even if he lacks size and the body mass, that James is extremely dangerous on the field and has the speed to blast into the open, finding all the holes and short cuts to run by the tacklers and sprint to the end zone.

So let’s see what happens. It will be interesting. The battle is for roses, and for what it’s worth, James doesn’t want to leave Pasadena empty handed.

Those cleats and bizarre uniforms are hanging at his visitor’s locker. The honeymoon he relished when he arrived to Southern California wasn’t nearly as scary.

But his speed?

That’s enough to frighten you.

With LaMichael James, Ducks Fly but Needs To Win Big One

When LaMichael James was putting on weight in the offseason — as much as 20 pounds — he listened to heavy talk from detractors that he seemed significantly slower and sluggish. The best running back arguably in the nation famously elevated his stardom, but even more so, he became stronger and mightier, built with physique and stamina – not to mention his quickness.

Suddenly, he is the emblem of the university. So were the electrified fans at thrillingly a rambunctious stadium in a culture of a preoccupied sports fest town, where football has mounted on the pedestal. If we can insert clarity, judging his eye-catching, career-building, money-making audition in the inaugural Pac 12 championship game, he’d be regarded as the top running back in April’s draft.

He also now qualifies as the most incredibly electric and dynamic athlete in college football, an all-purpose tailback accessible of transforming a hapless team’s culture that has been deterred by inadequacies. The fireworks were fired, following the first ever championship game that brightened the sky in Eugene, Oregon.

By the end of the night, there were roses and more roses, dozens upon dozens of them to kick off a celebration. The championship game trophy was awarded to the University of Oregon, with a victory that validated the Ducks season. All along, the Ducks secured a place in the Rose Bowl. Not that such a bid would be disregarded in a sense, realizing that Oregon is the far more dominant powerhouses of the Pac 12, easily one of the deepest conferences in the nation. In what might have very well been his last time playing at Autzen Stadium, the fourth-year junior who is set to graduate this school year rhinoed his way past the defenders.

It was a night, not long after James became the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and scoring, that he carried 25 times for 219 yards and three touchdowns in an awesome performance. It was primal screams, heard loudly and decibels in a stadium that pushed a raucous environment with life and excitement.

This one was all about James, a Heisman hopeful after being a runner-up last season who continues to be a star running back within an elite conference. He rolled all over UCLA, he sprinted his way to the end zone several times and legitimized that he’s a football star, ready to translate his abilities on the pro level – now destined to be selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft if he declares.

The unique quickness, explosiveness and vision are what separates James from the rest of the Pac 12 running backs, as the fastest if not the most dangerous rusher in the country. This is why the Ducks punched their ticket to their third straight BCS game, decisively defeating the Bruins 49-31 at home in front of a sellout crowd that went nuts. The folks of football realized it, probably because they witnessed James run past the Bruins defense in his neon-green uniform, looking stylish in those ridiculous uniforms that Nike unveils every so often.


Every time he trotted to the sideline, following one of his dazzling touchdown runs, the fans sitting near by screamed feverishly, rooting him on in his flawless rush attack on the night the game had many implications. It always has been, and it always will be fun to watch James, a well-rounded athlete who is irresistible and too fast to slow down. Understand this, though: You can’t stop him – you can only contain a specimen, a beast quicker than the average star running back in the nation.

He is, and until he decides to leave behind his collegiate career for his eventual employment days in the NFL – which he probably will – he’ll be the best player in the nation at his position. That said, if he does leave for the NFL at the end of this season, he’ll enter the draft among one of the well-respected prospects. But for now, he can potentially lead his team to win the biggest game, in hopes of capturing the honorable prize at the Granddaddy of them all. The proudest man on this night was head coach Chip Kelly, who is 0-2 in January, devoid of a BCS title in two tries.

“We’re just so excited to represent this university in the Rose Bowl,” said head coach Chip Kelly proudly. “Now we’re going to drink some Dr. Pepper and mail our Christmas presents with UPS.”

Drink all the Dr. Pepper you guys want. It is well-deserving. Mail all the Christmas presents you guys want. It is worth sending gifts to those in support.

Nothing would be worth a debate if James, a star in the eighth-ranked Oregon’s explosive spread, joining this year’s all-conference football team, is top-ranked in nearly every category. He is, after all, the national leader in rushing average and dictated the game’s complexion Friday night. He is, by all accounts, the focal point of not only Oregon but college football and, quite understandably, James is mentally and fundamentally ready to convert into the pros. That is because he’s agile and fearless, with a rational sense of the game.

“All-in-all, I think it’s been a strong season,” Scott said before the game. “The Pac-12 and the SEC are the only conferences to have three teams in the top 10. The conference is clearly establishing itself as a perennial, elite football conference.”

From the start, the Ducks were a bit careless, lacking a sense of urgency, having trouble with ball security and seemed uninspired but they turned it around with James’ surging speed. On the field, he didn’t quit. The Ducks didn’t quit. This was all some crazy night for UCLA, and increasingly to extend the horror, the Bruins turned it over four times. As the game ended, this is where Rick Neuheisel, fired last Monday by UCLA, pumped his fist and gazed at the ground, shouting in solidarity after Nelson Rosario made a one-handed touchdown catch in the final two minutes.

The ultimate confidence, aside from the classy ending for Neuheisel, came from James’ brilliance and he couldn’t be denied. Only now, the stakes become higher than before, and expectedly, he can lead the Ducks to victory in what would be one of the nicest, heartfelt wins. They’ll face Wisconsin or Michigan State, two well-balanced Big Ten teams, but surely enough – the Ducks will be favorites to win it all in Pasadena 30 days from now, giving each team more than enough time to improve and prepare for a big game. This time, of course, it’s now or never. The biggest game of James’ collegiate career awaits him Jan. 1st, 2012. It’s the highest ramifications, the highest stakes on the brightest stage, a national audience to watch a traditional bowl game on New Years Day. Thirty days from now, as he can rest and work in preparations, he’ll be in shape and durable for the challenge. This is no longer about individual achievements or the fastest runner in the country. This is about delivering and prevailing on the national stage.

“They just kept their eye on the prize and nothing will knock them down, said Kelly after Oregon trounced UCLA. “That’s something to be proud of… It’s about living in the moment and being a part of this group, and I’m really, really proud about what this group accomplished.”

Before the game, however, the Bruins never counted themselves out although they were the underdog in postseason history, but failed stopping an early fourth-and-1 that would have shifted momentum. The Bruins had no answer for Kelly’s offense on fourth down for much of the game.

“Those are huge plays because they’re giant momentum changers,” Neuheisel said.”Oregon is a very talented team.”

Yes sir. Oregon is very talented. Don’t forget that James is very talented.

If the Ducks can maintain momentum a month away from the game, then it is fair to assume that Oregon will win the Rose Bowl. If this team could bounce back from a heartbreaker after USC defeated the Ducks in their first ever home loss under Kelly, then they can win any team, despite the sloppy and poor start in the championship game. Everyone knows James is, once again, poised and a skilled running back and has put in the effort to become the first player in conference history to have three 1,500-plus yard rushing seasons. And then came this, the title game where he surpassed Marcus Allen on the career rushing list and moved into second place on the Pac 12 rushing touchdowns list.

If anything had it not been for him, the Bruins may have pulled off the upset. The Ducks, though their offense was too much for the Bruins too handle, were inconsistent on both sides of the ball and gave up 31 points to UCLA on sloppy mistakes – a weakness that could have doomed them. You don’t even have to argue that James was the best player on the field. It was his versatility and durability that slaughtered the Bruins.


Mostly, this was the superstar carrying the Ducks in critical moments, rising to the occasion as quarterback Darron Thomas became the school’s career leader in touchdown passes (63) and had a career-long run of 39 yards. He certainly wasn’t aiming to be the hero, nor was he the hero but he threw three touchdown passes on 20 of 36 passing for 219 yards. If nothing else was imposing, he had a touchdown run that came on an option play well-designed by Kelly and his high-powered offense.

The bad thing is, the Ducks are 0-15 against top 15 out-of-conference teams under Kelly. They’ve been here before. Kelly has been here before. LaMichael has been here before. It’s now time to win it all, when it matters the most.

The Pac 12 heavyweights are the Ducks, but they still need lots of work.

Oregon Ducks Fly To National Triumph

If you haven't discovered the brilliancy and dominance the Oregon Ducks have rendered all season, then you clearly must realize that this team is legit, described as the best program in the nation after it pummeled nearly every opponent in the second-half of each contest.

It apparently cajoles people to believe that the Ducks merits a national title bid, worthy of being honored with a prestigious BCS bowl game, and now, dictated by an undermined system, the University of Nike is fortunate to have the last word for their tenacious performance in a prevalent season. It's understandable to think that the Ducks likely secured a spot in the BCS title game, with a 37-20 win over inter-state rivals Oregon State in the annual Civil War battle on a late Saturday afternoon in Corvallis.

For most of this season, the optimism was eternally felt and has been rationalized in the final contest of the 12-game regular-season with the Ducks sending a statement, only to vindicate a sense of believability for rights to play for a gleaming crystal ball. As recently as a few seasons ago, Oregon was second-class in the Pac-10, always forgotten by USC's sheer dominance each season.

Mostly, as we accept this national perception that the Ducks exemplifies greatness and masters the fundamentals with a workable nucleus on all levels of the game, Oregon consists of a duel-threat in quarterback Darron Thomas and Heisman hopeful LaMichael James, a primary justification of why the Ducks are ideal to contend in the national landscape. All of this makes it seem transparent that the Ducks are inherently vigorous on the strength of a speedy, overmatched offense.


As of now, without much debate, the unbeaten Ducks are relevant of respectively boarding a plane and booking hotel reservations for a shot at the national title in Glendale, Arizona. If Oregon had lost to any team on its fair schedule, with the unique dilemma of the voting scenario, they wouldn't had survived this late in the season, let alone given a potential opportunity to represent its university in the title game as a championship-caliber team.

Judging from the Ducks' grueling tactics and relentless capacity to manhandle their opponent by bustling pass a baffled or an exhausted core of defenders in regards of the blistering ground attack, no team is remotely close to matching the assertiveness or agility of the Ducks. For the first time in a while, Oregon is a program vastly better than everybody in college football and they've treated each week as a national title game, aiming to rank as the top-notch program in the nation.

And for once, the stakes were immense in the Duck-Beaver rivalry event and finally the Civil War was distinguished as a purposeful clash and probably decided a national title berth. The Ducks, seemingly, couldn't afford a loss and prevailed in crucial moments by playing as if this was the final game of their lifetimes. This year, of course, there is no uncertainty that Oregon is well-deserving of rising into a premier program, finishing the season likely atop the rankings at 12-0, finally putting a cease to the disrespect and understatements that overshadowed the nation's most talented program as the Ducks were disapproved for being in an underestimated conference.

As for Chip Kelly, the man who resurrected a berated team which almost fell victim of mortality at one point, was given a $600,000 raise earlier this season. It wasn't what anyone had in mind, when he forged his signature to a six-year contract extension that will increase and pay him $20.5 million by the conclusion of his deal. And it now turns out he's guaranteed bonuses for wins in the season and a bowl game appearance, after the top-ranked Ducks punched their ticket to the BCS title game on January 10th.

"We're not going to play a national championship right now, we're going to prepare for one," said Oregon head coach Kelly. "And we'll play the game on the 10th (of January). But we got to this point we're at now by our preparation and we know we're going to have to go to work for the next month to show up on the 10th. And that's what these are all about, they understand the task at hand and they accept it heartily."

It was, to put it mildly, a magical scene for a team that finished an epic chapter unbeaten, now in pursuit of winning on the brightest stage in college football. The crowd erupted in roars, as majority of the sellout crowd came to support the Ducks, filled with seas of green and yellow at Reser Stadium. The heavy talk for the Ducks is squarely unique led by Kelly, who prepares for massive moments and relies on adjustments.

He brings a workable mentality to his players and has cultivated his players with his practical preparations and, as a result, he is 22-3 at Oregon with a 17-1 record in the Pac-10 Conference and has become the only coach in history to win the conference title as a first-year head coach. All of this has led to perfection in which the Ducks capped a miraculous season, and has finally become worthy of subtlety. At game's end, the players were speechless and celebrated in bliss, following a remarkable season and earned their school's first BCS National Championship Game berth.

"It's a big deal that we got to play in the national championship," said Thomas, "but we got to the Rose Bowl last year and we didn't finish it. It's important to finish."

In all likelihood, it's possible.

Thirty-seven days from now the Ducks will take the field again, to encounter a rigid challenge against Auburn University, after the team prevailed in the SEC title game and coasted to a 56-17 win over South Carolina to clinch a berth to play the Ducks in the championship. At this time, Oregon is imposing, fierce and untouchable, while Cam Newton conducts Auburn and its explosive offense in their improbable year.


On the way to the biggest night in school history next month, the Ducks are shrewd and have been considered the deepest threat in the nation, surrounded by tremendous talent. Logic is, the Ducks refuse to quit, groomed and well-coached. That could be why they are so resilient and trailed 7-6 against Oregon State at the end of the first quarter, the fifth consecutive game that Oregon was defeated in the opening quarter.

It wasn't long, as the Ducks continued to fight and remain composed, before they destroyed the Beavers. This is historical, particularly when the program won only one Pac-10 championship during the second-half of the 20th century, nationally recognized for outlandish uniforms and powerful offenses. James, the explosive tailback, shared carries with Kenjon Barner, and still rushed 28 times for 134 yards, while Barner had 15 carries for 133 yards to frustrate and override the 5-6 Beavers. Together, they combined for 169 yards in the first half.

"When we have to grind it out, we grind it out," said Oregon receiver Jeff Maehl. "We showed it against Cal and we showed it again today."

Certainly, they showed it.

At the beginning of the second-half, Kelly decided to call for the trickery and faked the punt. That forced a third-and-six, leading to Thomas' 19-yard touchdown pass to expand the lead to 23-7 with 8:39 remaining in the third. As the Ducks chase a national title, we'll now generate talk whether the Ducks merits the spotlight and whether Oregon will manhandle Auburn. Only time will tell.

Think of it as an everlasting debate. But in the meantime, the Quack Attack is untouchable and dynamic.

Let's just say 12 down, one to go.

Oregon Ducks Will Swim to National Title

This was real.

It’s highly impossible to beat the Oregon Ducks, a college football program comprising of a high-powered offense, called the Quack Attack. The Ducks dominated Stanford in every facet of the biggest showdown in college football this weekend. The most elite program in all likelihood is the well-anticipated Ducks, arguably favored in the Pac-10 conference.

By the end of the night, the scoreboard read 52-31. Thrilled Oregon fans were giving their appreciation and wearing green and yellow attire, all while generating a crazed frenzy. By the end of the night, fans swarmed around the heroes of an outweighing annihilation.


Darron Thomas and LaMichael James were transcendent. James, an explosive and agile tailback, rushed for a career-high 257 yards on 31 carries. From the moment of an early blowout, Oregon hadn’t surrendered and answered with a decisive touchdown in a high-scoring contest among a pair of powerhouses within a disparaged conference.

“You just can’t worry about the score,” said James. “You’ve just got to play your game. This team right here is really buying into this system. We’re down, but we know eventually something is going to break because of our tempo and our endurance.”

Never mind Jeremiah Masoli, the quarterback who led the Ducks on a sensational turnaround and drove the program to the Rose Bowl, but was dismissed for his off-the-field troubles. The best team in the Pac-10, if not in the nation, is destined to clinch a berth for the national title game led by the rising star Thomas, who prevailed on the ravishing stage in his career and considerably magnified the Ducks national title hopes.

The repetition of onslaughts began by the second half, and fans screamed in the stands energized for witnessing the Ducks execute unstoppable running plays. Throughout much of a hellacious, high-scoring night, Oregon wore down the Cardinal and eventually their opponents became baffled and fatigued with the routine sprints to the line of scrimmage and relentless rush attacks to counterbalance a hard-driven defense, emphasized heavily by Stanford’s coach Jim Harbaugh.

“I’m proud of my guys, very proud of them, and we’ll keep our heads up, and we’ll come back next week,” said Harbaugh. “Wasn’t our day today.”

Five games into the season, and Oregon is unbeaten in reality. It all happened overwhelmingly on a night the Ducks trailed 21-3 in the first-half, but slowly strategized a blueprint and rode a gigantic comeback by pounding the Cardinal and dissolving national title hopes, and maybe even a conference title. It was simply dynamic on a specific play that shifted the momentum, a drive embodied in the beginning of a conceivable comeback for the Ducks.


All cred that the Ducks are the finest program in the nation for its athleticism, high-powered offense and posture, is fittingly worth acknowledging at a point when Oregon is unbeaten and compelling, belittling and trouncing opponents with a violent rush attack and the growth of Thomas. The Ducks, as we refer to as the powerhouse of the Pac-10, already comprises of a championship-caliber offense, but the demise of its defense will dictate whether Oregon contends for a national title. If you weren’t around to witness a dazzling game, the Ducks rallied back from a large deficit by holding Stanford scoreless in the second-half.

“We knew we weren’t going to blow them out.” Oregon coach Chip Kelly told reporters. “It’s going to be a battle every week in our league.”

And though the Ducks have enough offensive weapons to win possibly every battle and finish the season undefeated, the University of Nike and Donald Duck are vulnerable faltering in the national title game with the lack of defense. No reason to worry too much. By realizing that Kelly is supreme at motivating his players and grooming a core of star athletes, he’ll make adjustments in time to introduce a well-balanced team. It’s a program of assaulters that were dismissed in some ways, but has the ingredients to be regarded as conference winners.

As he waited for this moment, Thomas out-shined a former high school rival Andrew Luck in a peerless showdown. Alongside his counterpart, James, he maneuvered an equated offense on a game-changing play and connected with Jeff Maehl for a 29-yard touchdown across the middle in a route Stanford’s defenders allowed the speedy receiver to sprint down the middle uncovered.


As much as we adore the Ducks, the sophomore running back James is a legitimate Heisman candidate and has redeemed his image after serving a suspension in the season-opener. Of course, if there was any redemption, it was his blistering quickness. So far, he has rushed for 712 yards and seven touchdowns in his first four games. But on this particular night, Thomas made a strong case and threw for 238 yards, ran for 117 yards and accounted for four touchdowns Saturday.

The ultimate irony is that the Ducks are running a high-powered offense with a double-threat. Already, this season alone, the Ducks scored at least 42 points in each of their first five games. Still, it would be beneficial for defensive coordinator Nick Allotti to channel and inspire mental toughness on defense.

It appears he can manufacture methodical adjustments, but in the second half the Ducks held the Cardinal to 66 yards after allowing 111 in the first. The Ducks applied the pressure in the second half and began harassing Luck and forced the projected top quarterback in next year’s NFL draft into two interceptions.

After all, as the intensity became a factor, Oregon safety Javes Lewis hit receiver Chris Owusu, who fumbled and that allowed Ducks linebacker Eddie Pleasant to retrieve the ball and return it 51 yards to the Stanford 3. When the defense delivered on a huge stop, Oregon had already tied it 31 all. But the next play following the fumble, of course, James ran it into the end zone for the second of three touchdowns.

“I give a lot of credit to our defensive coaches,” Kelly told reporters. “They made great adjustments at halftime, and our players came out and played hard.”

The Ducks certainly believed.

“Every team is going to have adversity,” James said. “I think what matters is how you overcome adversity.”

Exactly.

The Ducks may have plenty worth celebrating. They may hoist the crystal ball. It makes absolute sense.

Terrelle Pryor Wins Roses For Ohio State, Big Ten To Illustrate Bright Future

From my perspective it was a Big Ten coming out party, at the most prestigious venue in college football -- below the Hollywood sign and near the beautiful mountains. In what was the biggest game for Ohio State, where coach Jim Tressel wore his red vest and where fans in Columbus waited anxiously for a big victory, the large population screamed at the top of their lungs.

They finally can scream O-H-I-O! Given a few meltdowns, in a big conference with its own network, the Buckeyes used to stumble and collapse on the biggest stage in college football. Jim Tressel, the man in the vest, found redemption and recovered from a disgraced era.

For a long time, Ohio State stood as a misrepresented symbol, tarnishing a prosaic Big Ten Conference. There are people still categorizing the Buckeyes as a worthless program. That was fair when the Buckeyes had flaws and couldn't ever hoist BCS titles.

Rarely were the Buckeyes invited to play in an enormous bowl game, where biased folks ridiculed them, insulted them and neglected them. After problematic losses were suffered on the national stage, like in those dreadful meetings against the powerhouses of the Southeastern Conference, folks have been skeptical of Ohio State.

But now, a losing streak no longer exists, a Big Ten losing streak is snapped and Terrell Pryor is a savior by delivering the greatest win to begin a new decade. After being demolished in consecutive BCS games, after being doubted for winning much-needed BCS games, Ohio State experienced triumph and has finally established itself in a weakened conference.

In an ecstatic environment, before thousands of Buckeyes faithful, Pryor silenced disbelievers with a 26-17 breakout victory of seventh-ranked Oregon in the Rose Bowl game. For an entire week, Ohio State prepared for this moment and dreamed of roses.

Never mind shriveled roses. Pryor blossomed into a superlative hero, and greatness was sustained through his overwhelmingly tremendous dominance. The Buckeyes have a shot at legitimizing relevance within a prestigious program, where an entertaining marching band performs and where football games are hosted in an illustrious structure known as the "Horseshoe."

For much of the week, Tressel seemed humiliated by prior letdowns and burdens that had brought down the Buckeyes.

There was a loss of sprit, a loss of regard with the disintegration of a program. But now Tressel, who has three years remaining on his contract, is breathing a sigh of relief. And because he’s an old-school coach, Tressel's offensive schemes were routes opponents never saw coming.

Everyone should be impressed by his ability to change the style and exploit different schemes. He grasps a wise sense that Pryor should be involved in an average offense, and has nurtured and cultivated his superstar.

And, indeed, Pryor was mentally and physically prepared to withstand the grandest moment of his career. Pryor, the energetic sophomore, has stamina and the rushing ability that can help catapult the Buckeyes to championship victories. Instead he tried new options, with his aerial spectacle, and proved to the world he’s a stellar passer just as well as he runs and races to the end zone.

Even though Ohio State has been able to win five straight league titles, it has faltered to win meaningful games and harmed its reputation. Suddenly, in the second decade of the 21st century, Pryor has restored belief, not only for the long-waited masses in Columbus, but the Big Ten Conference as well.

It was sort of like witnessing an endless nightmare, in an unfavorable conference unworthy of regards. Before Ohio State celebrated together on New Years Day, this was a catastrophic conference.


The Big Ten went 4-11 in BCS games in the last nine games, thanks to Pryor, who had career highs in 266 passing yards and 23 completions. And he absolutely carried a reliable rush attack and ran for 72 yards. On greater imports, he led an energetic offense and was responsible for such a brilliant afternoon by converting 11 of 21 third downs.

To start, he played like the running icon everyone idolizes, and now he's compared to Michael Vick. To start, he was unstoppable moving the ball on his successive ground game, something the nation pictured when the Buckeyes recruited Pryor to become the nation’s No. 1 quarterback two years ago.

This was a program predicted to win a BCS title in 2002, but it’s never too late for a school to win. If this was a statement, the Buckeyes are bound to return and capture national title respectability. There’s a good chance Ohio State may not be the erratic school we viewed it to be before Pryor emerged into stardom, and paralyzed Oregon’s improbable chase.

Chip Kelly's high-powered offense wasn’t nearly as effective as it was during Oregon's storybook season. Although Ducks’ tailback, LeGarrette Blount, stormed to the goal line and broke the plane for redemption after he was forced to serve a suspension for punching a Boise State player in the face during an ugly melee in Oregon’s season-opener, a wonderful tale wasn’t completed.

The Ducks committed two turnovers inside the Ohio State 35. Their creativity wasn’t relentless or befuddling to throw off a well-aware Buckeyes’ defense. Missing in action was talented quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who completed 9 of 20 passes for a season-low 81 yards.

But Pryor clearly was the marquee player and stud, lifting the Buckeyes out of devastation and granted the team with the ultimate prize.

Watching many painful seasons of Big Ten flaws, Pryor has been named the biggest hero in the Big Ten.

He’s a remedy in a conference that badly needed joy.

Is Oregon a Mirage or Tanigble? Ducks Might Be Tough, But Not BCS Tough

No, way. This was classified as the deepest threat in college football, seemingly invincible of relinquishing from the BCS picture. The Oregon Ducks were considered the most dangerous team in the nation aiming closer to a berth for a major bowl game, until the Quack Attack failed in persisting wondrous preeminence.

Although, the masses never pictured the Ducks owning the erratic polls, absorbing regards fairly was applaud, coming off a fascinating week when they smeared USC’s national title and Rose Bowl hopes in an entertaining romp. Only deed remaining was to transcend beyond, persuading the nation to merit roses or a national title in the state of Oregon.

What mattered was the Ducks, a compelling program earning top-notch regard when they shockingly pummeled the Trojans, who seems to be curse in the state of Oregon, with hidden ghost staging nightmarish misfortunes for the Trojan Man.

This miracle wasn’t supposed to happen inside a conference where a premier school, arguably in the country was impeccable, led by a true freshman Matt Berkley, a calm, cool and collective quarterback. Following the horrific on-field brawl, involving prolific running back LeGarrette Blount in Oregon’s season-opener, they weren’t supposed to overpower and raise eyebrows with an astonishing joyride.

Instead, however, the unthinkable joyride rattled analyst and football whizzes. Unexpectedly, that is, the Ducks emerged as bowl contenders, and generated an unbreakable bond and gelled as a cohesive core. Each week, doubting Oregon’s triumphant commodities was a misunderstanding when coach Chip Kelly provided inspirational leadership.

Each week, the Ducks performance enhanced at a high level in consistency, considering injuries had hampered a shorthanded defense. Thus, it has been an improbable year for Oregon, who were least expected to prevail and eclipse programs of high-regard. But emphasizing and defining a sleeper were the Ducks, before encountering a disastrous meltdown at Stanford.

Bad timing to collapse, when the chaotic BCS system leaves us guessing on which team deserves national rights. It’s bad timing surrendering to an unranked school when all victories matter in a laborious task to qualify for a BCS bowl game.

So, were the Ducks a mirage? Were the Ducks tangible? And can the Ducks continue quacking and still qualify for a bowl game?

That’s hard to tell in a period where disgruntled populace, including President Obama has appealed for a playoff system. As difficult as it remains to tell which school is worthy, seventh-ranked Oregon may have blown national title faith on Saturday at Stanford Stadium.

Wonder what happened to the fierce BCS killers, the potent offense that seemed unstoppable, practically upsetting and maneuvered into contention? Against Stanford the Ducks clearly disappeared and was too relax. They were still in a hangover, overconfident following last week’s immeasurable victory, which is worth bragging rights.

But clearly, overconfidence and inattentiveness presumably cost a grand appearance on the biggest stage including rose’s, maybe? For weeks now, Oregon repeatedly answered continuous questions about letdowns, a dilemma they have handled well to manage and remain atop the Pac-10 conference.

What we’ve witnessed in the Oregon-Stanford game was a letdown and a stunning upset. This wasn’t supposed to happen, but theoretically it was supposed to happen. The Ducks were supposed to be the underdogs, but should have won in a year they were considered unthinkable sleepers and were in position to upset in the unpredictable polls. And now this, an uninspiring, 51-42 loss against Stanford coming off their most awe-inspiring victory imploding a feasible moment deriving in Eugene, Oregon.

The Ducks haven’t lost since the embarrassing and shameful finish against Boise State. This obviously was the hottest program in the country, overlooked because of the Pac-10 conference, which doesn’t earn much recognition. Mostly the conference is considered an inferior one and one-sided, with the thought-to-be dominant USC.

But every season is different, depending upon a team’s sudden arrival and Oregon had arrived emerging quickly with jaw-dropping defeats and inspiring toughness. An eye-opening run of seven consecutive victories, or a margin of victories resulting in 22.7 points a game weren’t a fluke.

The high-powered offense is a functional nucleus through versatile quarterback Jeremiah Masoil, who held his head down in distraught at the postgame conference, and true freshman tailback LeMichael James had the ability to rush for 125 yards and scored on a 60-yard touchdown against the Cardinal.

Needing a dramatic comeback severely hurt the Ducks in the fourth quarter, as Stanford controlled momentum mainly in the final quarter of regulation by holding 15-minute margin in time of possession. It didn’t leave plenty of time for the Ducks to effectuate their high-powered weapons. Otherwise, we could have classified them as the comeback kids, a comparison to Iowa’s trait rallying to a late come-from-behind victory.

As it turned out, the Cardinal salvaged bowl eligibility in desperation upset. Their scoreboard read 51-points, in a contest were Oregon hadn’t surrendered that many points all season. Mentality and physically prepared for a big contest were the Cardinal, which is why coach Jim Harbaugh has an excellent track record against ranked opponents. Known for his upsetting defeats, the Ducks were victims of a formidable upset, an empathic downfall in what USC suffered in 2007 against a 4-8 Stanford.

As Oregon failed to slow down the Cardinal, they were fortunate in an effective running game. Gifted tailback Toby Gerhart rushed for 223 yards on 38 carries with three touchdowns, destroying the Ducks defense and sprinted like a “warrior”, a way Harbaugh likes describing his irresistible and finesse superstar.

We might have spoken too soon about the Ducks, especially after slaughtering the mighty Trojan Man. Just in an instant, the Ducks earned recognition for knocking off the most potent program in the Pac-10 in recent years.

Keeping a close eye on the Quack Attack was normal, and anointing all their deeds were understandable clearly overcoming turbulence at the beginning of the season. There wasn’t a better coach in the country who handled on-field troubles better than Kelly, who assembled this program and inspired his team to come together as a cohesive team.

So, the Ducks were good and still are good.

They might be good, but just how great?