• Listen, if you want the top link, you need to come up with something bigger and better than Cam Newton. A primary source, Kenny Rogers, went public with claims that Newton’s dad tried to sell his son’s services. It’s not hard to find an opinion on the matter, but I thought Dan Wetzel did a nice job of explaining what it could all mean.
• I don’t know the origin of this, but it’s got to be the best use of Photoshop I’ve seen this year. It’s the classic, “bid a dollar more” strategy.
• In other Photoshop news, the Duck Star has positioned itself over Cal’s Memorial Stadium. Usually, it has the range to stay further away, but it’s a show of strength.
• Oregon seniors are preparing for the future, whether that means NFL or not.
• Chip Kelly continues to show that his leadership is as big of an asset as his offensive brain. On Thursday, the team honored veterans and entertained some kids.
• Addicted to Quack has some advanced statistical analysis and what it can tell us about beating Oregon.
• John Boyett sounds like a guy who should be on a football field at all times. Otherwise, things get fuzzy. I know the feeling, John. Keys were made to be lost.
• Ted Miller had a good feature on the o-line. Lane Kiffin kinda’ hijacked the story by stating that there’s “no carryover in what they do (for the NFL).” Ok, Kiffy-kins, whatever you say. That guy’s a real piece of work.
• Football at Oregon is so good that it’s helping men’s basketball. Dana Altman is wise to piggyback off of the football success until he can build some momentum for his own program.
• If you like cfbstats.com, you’ll love situational statistics. I made it my mission to find something the Oregon offense is bad at. Turns out, the team is 117th in the nation in passing yards gained on 3rd and 1-3 yards. Running the ball too much, coach!

• Let’s start it off with the Muchas G and Lord Beverage Podcast. Press play and then start clicking the rest of these links. My bad on not getting a link to these guys sooner. It’s a smooth, well done Podcast.
• Don’t get me wrong, our offensive linemen will kick your ass. They won’t even feel bad about it. They’ll just whoop ya’ and laugh about it. Buuuut, Mark Asper can sing any Disney song, treats his mom right, goes to church and is generally just a pure gentleman. But seriously Stanford, he will destroy you.
• Attending Duck fans, I don’t care if you wear yellow or black, just be loud.
• Timeout from links. No one is saying anything bad about Stanford at all. Nothing. Just pure positivity. But not me. Stanford, you’re slow. You lack elite athleticism at the second level on defense (don’t get all impressed, I stole that from Scouts Inc.). Whoever you have at running back isn’t Toby Gerhart. Andrew Luck is going to hear Autzen at its loudest and discover he has bladder control problems. For eff sake, you are Stanford!!! Remember that.
• Oookay…links. John Boyett works hard. I hope that means he and the other defensive backs can find a way to cover the middle of the field this week.
• What’s a big game without a uniform discussion? Chip Kelly discusses uniform philosophy in an SI.com video.
• Everyone says there’s some sort of blueprint for beating Oregon (ESPN Insider only). Of course there is. That’s why coaches scout and prepare. There happens to only be a handful of teams capable of out-executing the Ducks. And guess what, Oregon knows what to expect from Stanford, too. Doesn’t mean we win, just means we know what’s coming for the most part ( you know I’m getting riled up and excited when I start slipping in a “we” here and there).

1. Why is it that every time a national analyst or reporter talks about Oregon, they always preface it with, “Oregon has really turned it around since Boise State.”? At what point do we get to move on from that game? Is it permanently attached to the Ducks reputation or can it possibly be wiped clean by a win over USC? Either way, it’s a virtual guarantee to pop up about 2,837 times this week as the four letter hype machine that is ESPN descends on Eugene (GameDay all but certain to visit).
2. Speaking of everyone’s favorite sports network, if Kirk Herbstreit picks Oregon, I encourage everyone to loudly boo him. I’m pretty sure he has us at 1-3 in conference play so far with his predictions. Thanks Kirk and be sure to bring your tanning lotion. I hear it’s going to be rainy and overcast.
3. I can’t believe how easy the win was against Washington. The Huskies had played everyone competitive including USC and LSU. And who would have expected negative rushing yards from Jake Locker? They didn’t even try anything with him. The only conclusion I can reach is that this team is seriously good.
4. Number of seniors on Oregon’s two-deep against UW: 5. That’s five seniors out of 44 players. A total of three started. Wow.
5. Look for Oregon to request a waiver this week to play 2010 defensive back recruits against USC. There’s hardly anyone left now that Talmadge Jackson is, uh, day to day. Then again, true freshman Cliff Harris looks like he can do it all himself. Alongside fellow freshman John Boyett and sophomores Javes Lewis and Anthony Gildon, boy, the Duck’s future in the defensive backfield is good.
6. Oregon has the best two yard line defense in the nation. I’m sure of it.
7. I’m writing this before the rankings are released, but the Ducks feel undervalued to me. One team that is especially bugging me is Iowa. Good for them for winning every game, but I’m having a hard time accepting the Hawkeyes as a top ten team.
8. A quick, crack analysis of USC… Lot of opportunities passing the football over the middle. Watching the OSU game, the tight end was often open for big gains, but I would expect USC to scheme more for Ed Dickson. The Beavers also had a lot of successful runs straight up the gut. On plays to the outside, USC’s speed advantage was obvious. Matt Barkley is not yet as great as everyone keeps saying. As a true freshman, he stands out, but if you weren’t analyzing him with that disclaimer, he wouldn’t be as celebrated. I know he won at Ohio State and Notre Dame, but, with no offense to tradition, big deal. Autzen Stadium will be a whole different beast. The Trojans are athletic and their talent is relentless. You have to play hard from start to finish to beat them and mistakes must be kept to a minimum. More as the week goes on.

Thanks to friend of the blog Andy for the reminder about Canzano’s “Six Wins” quote. The Ducks got there in record time.