Glory Days

With spring football practice in full swing at Oregon and Oregon State, it's time to relive the glory of the 2012 Rose Bowl, wherein Nike U. beat Wisconsin in a thriller.

OSU unfortunately did not play well enough last season to go bowling, but they'll bounce back soon, I believe.

Oregon has lost a few stars from the Rose Bowl champs, but of late they've been able to reload at key positions--so perhaps Darron Thomas and LaMichael James will not be missed too much.

The most interesting aspect of the competition battle in Eugene this spring is at quarterback, where two kids vie to become the next big thing: Soph. Bryan Bennett, who played a little last season, and R.S. Frosh Marcus Mariotta, a big kid with a big arm who hasn't been on the field yet as a Duck.

Edge to Bennett. A little experience helps.

Both of these guys can run as well as throw it, something Darron Thomas couldn't do last year. Thomas was a leader, a sharp kid who knew the intricacies of the spread Oregon thrives on, but he wasn't very fast and had an erratic arm at times.

In coachspeak, reps will bring the new QBs up to speed.

Oregon has a light opening schedule; I expect the the QB situation to settle nicely by the time the PAC schedule begins in week four.


TS