In case you want to hate Justin Wilcox, remember, he's one of us.

Oregon may be playing an SEC team Saturday, but they might as well be preparing for the WAC.

While you might think that’s a stinging statement about the current state of the Volunteers football program, it’s actually where the Ducks are going to find most of Tennessee’s game film.

That’s because new Tennessee coach Derek Dooley brings his system from WAC school Louisiana Tech while defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox hails from Boise State.

Yeah, that Wilcox, the former Oregon defensive back and, more recently, the bane of Chip Kelly’s existence.

While most acknowledge that Oregon has a decided advantage in this game, some are pointing to the Wilcox factor in making an argument for Tennessee.

After all, in two games against Oregon, Wilcox’s Broncos held Oregon to a total of 40 points.

Most famously, he was the architect of the defense that held eventual Pac-10 champion (and offensive juggernaut) Oregon to just 8 points to open the 2009 season. Word on the street is, Wilcox has Oregon’s number.

But it’s not that simple. The Ducks were breaking in four new starters on the offensive line last year. They looked disorganized and, well, new. LeGarrette Blount was the feature back while LaMichael James got all of two carries. And a guy named Kenjon was barely an option. Simply put, that wasn’t the 2009 Oregon offense that became so prolific.

It’s also not the offense that Oregon brings to Knoxville on Saturday. The offensive line is completely intact from a year ago while James and Barner will be the most prominent playmakers.

There is the matter of quarterback. Darron Thomas is facing his first road test and it’s a doozy. Then again, he’s the quarterback responsible for 19 of the 40 points a Wilcox team has surrendered to Oregon. And he did it on just five drives in one quarter.

The Wilcox factor is probably being overplayed. It’s a catchy angle to look at and given the magnitude of last year’s game, it has some staying power among the media. But as far as relevance to what Oregon is capable of doing in 2010, it’s not that big of a deal.

Consider what Kelly said in a Portland Tribune article:

“I know Justin’s running the defense. But, we’re not playing against Justin Wilcox, we’re playing against Tennessee. It’s a little different animal.”

Indeed it is. Different players, different circumstances, different game. And while Kelly also said Tennessee looked “schematically similar” to Boise in its first game, the success of Oregon’s offense usually has more to do with its own execution than anything an opposing defense does to stop it.

Worry more about Rocky Top and humidity. Kelly can handle the Wilcox problem.

Hat tip to link roundups done by Ken Goe, Addicted to Quack, Google Alerts and my own undying desire to read everything known to man.

• Probably the #1 (only) thing Tennessee has going for it is home field advantage. Will it matter?
• Just in case you want to read through 15 (and counting) pages of Tennessee making fun of Oregon, go for it (it’s lighthearted so don’t be sensitive)
• Heard the note from Bellotti on a broadcast recently that LaMichael James contemplated leaving as a freshman. Here’s some depth to that story by Adam Jude at the Register-Guard. LaMike, don’t you dare go anywhere.
• Bob Rickert is talking about the Oregon factor. I don’t think it exists anymore and Rickert states both reasons. Program maturity and Chip Kelly. But yeah, used to scare the hell out of us.
• Required weekly reading for the football junkie. Ken Woody analyzes Oregon vs. New Mexico
• The Wall Street Journal, located on the east coast, gets a little inflammatory about the Pac-10. Does anyone ever write articles like this about other conferences?
• From a fan at the Bleacher Report, an image for every point scored Saturday.
• If you have any sense of what LSU fans (and the rest the world) think of Les Miles, this is pretty funny.
• Still confused how LeGarrette Blount made the Titans, then got cut.
• Finally, a nod to a new fan blog, The Duck Stops Here. He’s writing a crazy amount of material and does it well.

Want more daily uselessness? Follow Off The Pond on Twitter.

1. Kenjon Barner is more legit than science. Say what you want about the opponent, but how often do guys go off like that? Teams play bad competition every week and it just doesn’t happen. And dear God, coupling him with LaMichael James the rest of the year…Oregon should be forced to write apology letters to opponents.

2. This was more than your typical win over a patsy. This was a statement of dominance. Oregon is talented, deep and hungry. I get why people want to see more against better competition. I think we all want to see that. But there’s no ignoring the complete dismantling of New Mexico. It was completely surgical and efficient. If you’re skeptical on the 2010 Ducks, ask yourself how many times you’ve seen any other team anywhere do what Oregon did yesterday.

3. Darron Thomas has not proven anything. Ok, so this is why you can still be skeptical. It’s not that Thomas was bad, it’s just that we didn’t learn anything. He didn’t attempt a run and played less than one half. In that time, there were some overthrows and a bad interception which is enough to leave you guessing. This shouldn’t be interpreted as negative toward Thomas. It’s just that he is the most important factor to where this season heads. I think it’s a 10 win season regardless of who starts at quarterback. But 11, 12, 13 wins? That’s what we’re waiting to see.

4. Uh, so how about Cliff Harris? That question is a fact. As in, his performance – two punt returns, each for a touchdown – was so ridiculous, you don’t even need to state it. Let’s see, it took Harris one half to tie a school record for the season? And he did it on two returns? So basically, for every attempted return, he scores a touchdown. For some reason, this has barely registered as interesting to most media outlets but might be the most impressive thing that happened.

5. The defense did exactly what the blog asked. OTP is glad they are listening. With so much offseason hype about this being the best defense ever, a shutout was just the statement they needed to make. With Portland State and Washington State on the schedule, this may not be the last time they do it, either. The Ducks haven’t recorded two shutouts in the same year since 1964 (according to this website). More than anything, it gives one confidence that even if Thomas struggles at times, the defense might be able to carry the load when really needed.

6. Casey Matthews made a nice interception, but the blog wishes he’d made the easy one in the last game they played. I’m just sayin’…

Bonus Fact: Joey Harrington did a pretty good job as an analyst for the Oregon Sports Network. You never quite know how a guy will translate to TV even if he’s knowledgeable about the subject, but Harrington seemed at ease. He had good insight, kept things light and along with the rest of the crew, was able to actually remain interesting despite the heavy blowout.

*I’m feature-happy this year so I don’t have to think as much about what to write every day, ok?

But it starts with New Mexico, a team that went 1-11 and returns only 10, 11 or 12 starters depending on what source you read (some personnel turnover is probably for the best anyway). At least in week 1, you can’t get too bored with an opponent since you’re just happy to have football back.

Still, this is going to be a laugher and as fans, we need some other things to keep the intrigue up.

Darron Thomas
This is the no-brainer and everyone is curious to see how Thomas performs. If I had to pick one thing about him that I’m most interested in, it’s his impact on the running game. I have no idea how well Thomas executes the ball fake or how elusive he is in the open field. A successful runner at quarterback in this offense has little to do with 40 times and a lot more to do with executing correctly. It’s been my feeling so far that we’re going to see more passing and less running from the quarterback than the past two years.

The Missing Crown and Other Field Level Improvements

Photo Credit: Jeff Oliver

Feast your eyes on the field and stare in awe at its complete “flatness.” The Autzen crown was removed during the offseason and a new turf installed. This will make the team 17.8% more effective according to a study I just made up.

Additionally, there’s a new look for the interior walls at field level which appears to be a giant, huge, enormous, big, large improvement (I’m just so adjective happy today). I couldn’t find a photo…the only place I know that had one has exceeded bandwidth limit.

Kenjon Barner
Wow, there’s been a lot of hype about Barner this offseason. And it all stems from his last two games where he racked up yardage all over the field. It’ll be fun to see him as the feature back, but I’m still looking forward to week 2 when he’s paired up with LaMichael James.

Will OZone Quality Be Remotely Decent?
For other Off The Ponders who can’t wait to hook up their laptop to their TV, who’s excited to see how much better the broadcast quality will be this year? There’s nothing like having a nice, big HD TV in what is seemingly the modern year of 2010 and watching fuzzy outlines of players chasing each other around the field. If you’ve done this before, you know what I’m talking about. Please, please be better.

Entire Defensive Unit
The hype is equally stratospheric for the defense as it is for Barner. It still doesn’t come with any name-brand players (except perhaps Kenny Rowe), but it’s a fast, experienced and cohesive unit with depth (can we get another adjective please?!) If this is really going to be among the best defenses ever assembled at Oregon, I want to see an early statement of dominance made against an inferior opponent. And no junk TDs in the fourth quarter, either.

PK Park Experience

PK Park. Oregon's New Home to Expensive Beers

The blog won’t be experiencing the experience, but it’s the latest tailgaiting extravaganza from the UO designed to get your dollars on their $6 beers instead of whatever you’re featuring at your own party. For their next project, they should just plop down a giant bar on what’s left of the parking lot.

Jeremiah Masoli suspended for 2010 season. LaMichael James gets one game suspension.

It’s interesting that on Thursday John Canzano perfectly called the case results. Also interesting that he was so kind in his assessment of the punishments. Perhaps Chip and John made a deal…the scoop for leniency.

And while we’re throwing out theories, who’s excited for Jeremiah Masoli’s return to Autzen Stadium September 18 as the fearless leader of the Portland State Vikings? Anyone? Nah, probably won’t happen. Right?

Anyway, enough about quarterbacks that don’t play for Oregon. Let’s talk future!

Darron Thomas is now QB1.  The Texan has an impressive high school resume and has performed well in limited opportunities through his first two seasons on campus. After redshirting in 2009, he will be a sophomore in 2010 and in position to lock down the quarterback role for the future.

Obviously,  the company line is going to be that the job is wide open with Nate Costa in strong contention but anyone who’s being honest about the situation knows this is Thomas’ job to lose.

More on Thomas:

From ESPN.com Recruiting Profile:

“Thomas is a fantastic dual-threat quarterback who is perfect for the spread offense. He has nice size and a wiry frame to add bulk. He’s a sleek athlete who could easily play another position and could develop into a special wide out. He is an excellent athlete for the position. He can make plays on the move rolling right or left. He shows solid quickness getting to the throwing point and has a very good feel for front and backside pressure. He can make plays outside the pocket with his feet or with his arm. He is a “street-ball” type of quarterback –can make plays when everything around him breaks down and it looks like there is nothing there. He is a solid open-field runner — can make people miss.However, he will surprise you with his willingness to hang in the pocket prior to escaping. Shows decent patience and displays quality accuracy on a consistent basis.

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=49862

From Scout.com

“‘I’m a good athlete. At quarterback I can drop back and throw with a lot of power and accuracy. I can run the ball too and take it the distance. I’m a real dual-threat, but I’d like to improve the basics…my fundamentals and reading coverages.’”

Scout lists his 40 yard dash at 4.50 seconds which is some blazing speed at just about any position.

http://oregon.scout.com/a.z?s=128&p=8&c=1&nid=2956047

From GoDucks.com Player Bio

Thomas is listed at 6′-3″, 205 lbs. If you look at his high school listings, that would suggest he’s added somewhere between 10 and 20 lbs. in two years at Oregon suggesting he’s more physically ready for the role he’s about to take on.

The site also note that Thomas ran for 900 yards as a senior  and threw for 2,576.

http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=1550474

From Rivals.com

Darron Thomas was ranked as the country’s sixth best dual-threat quarterback.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/oregon/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-1819

Right? Who’s with me? Still need some convincing? Just check out these side by side comparisons based on actual facts. Click on the projected stats link for Seastrunk. It’s mind-boggling how good he is going to be (and one has to wonder how long before ESPN sends a team of lawyers to my door step).

I think we can all agree that Oregon is in fine shape for the 2010 season and, in fact, may have just improved their standing with the criminal charges being brought against these supposed “superstars.”

Wow.

The game wasn’t always always clean, but it was one for the ages.

Ducks and Beavers traded blows for 60 minutes and as has been the case all season, Oregon wore its opponent down in the second half and asserted itself when the game entered the decisive stages.

Until then, it looked like the Beavers might take control and use a script laid out by the Ducks in 2008 to ruin the home team’s Rose Bowl dreams. But would you believe that when things were at their worst, Chip Kelly would turn to LeGarrette Blount for the first time since the season opener?

Putting Blount in the game while facing a nine point deficit seemed crazy. Turns out, it was brilliant as the big back came up with a huge touchdown to draw Oregon within two at 30-28.

From there, LaMichael James became dominant, turning in a 52 yard lead-taking touchdown run on the next offensive series. The defense began to shine after giving up scores on five consecutive drives between the second and third quarters.

When the game was on the line in the final six minutes, it was fitting to see Jeramiah Masoli, James and Blount all turning in huge plays to ultimately ensure the Beavers would never get another chance.

Oregon State played a great game. Sean Canfield looks like a bonafide pro. The Rodgers brothers are ridiculously talented. And they all deserve a much better bowl than what might be available after Saturday’s games. The Holiday had better think long and hard about the Beavers who would travel well and be an ideal representative for the Pac-10 in the league’s second best bowl.

But I’m sure opponent respect isn’t what the Beavers were after. Clearly, they wanted the spoils of the victor, but Thursday, those were reserved for Oregon.

As the final seconds ticked down and melted into a post game celebration where fans could not and would not leave, the scene at Autzen Stadium seemed surreal even through ESPN’s cameras a state away.

I sat and watched. And smiled. And kept smiling. And then I saw that first red rose, and Oh My God! The Ducks are in the Rose Bowl! That really just happened. How sweet it is.

FOTB Prediction: Green helmet, black jersey, green pants, black shoes. But rumors have Oregon in something a little more “retro meets modern,” so we’ll see. You can simulate this combination here.

It’s Thursday, December 3, 2009 and you know what that means.

This is no time to be timid. Oregon State is thine enemy and no mercy can be shown. Roses are on the line, winner take all and while flowers might seem like a silly thing to play for, to a collegiate man, there’s nothing more valuable.

But don’t mistake the Rose Bowl as the only thing on the line tonight. It’s not all these guys are playing for. Mike Bellotti would tell you it’s for the right to live in the state (well, if you actually live there). Co-workers, family and friends are just a tad more bearable when you have the W on your side.

I come into this game more nervous than a year ago. Perhaps it’s because Oregon’s stakes are higher, but I think it has more to do with knowing the Ducks aren’t dropping 65 on the Beavers two years in a row. By default, this game has to be more competitive.

FOTB Pick

But also, the Beavers have their full arsenal on offense with Jacquizz Rodgers healthy this year. Say what you will about the debate between him and LaMichael James running the football, but Rodgers is also the Pac-10′s second leading receiver. He’s dynamic and it’s something OSU didn’t have a year ago.

Still, Autzen Stadium is the security blanket. The defense is far better in front of the home fans and the offense’s worst output in Pac-10 play was 42 points against Cal. The Ducks have been more dominant at home this season than any in recent memory.

At some point, with the raucous energy of the crowd behind them, Oregon is going to have that opportunity to deliver a couple of haymakers. Chip Kelly will put the pedal to the metal and the Beavers won’t know what hit them. I can see this game turning over a 5-10 minute span of defensive and offensive playmaking that demoralizes the orange and black.

But enough already. It’s all words and there’s really nothing left to discuss. It’s been two weeks of rehashed stereotypes and storylines.

The only thing left unsaid is 60 minutes of football. We’re just hours away. Your travel agent is standing by.

1. Let’s just get this out of the way. Arizona played a hell of a game. Oregon put up 44 on them, but I felt that was the best defense Oregon has faced all season. The Wildcats were disciplined and accounted for every movement Jeremiah Masoli made. The game was a battle and it took a gritty, championship performance for Oregon to leave with a win.
2. Arizona’s fans, on the other hand, failed miserably. Who gets ready to rush the field as the other team positions itself to tie the game? That was a “haven’t been there, haven’t done that” moment for the Wildcat faithful.
   

   The blog's facial expression has been stuck in the above form since roughly 9:05 p.m. on Nov. 21.

3. Nate Costa proved that you don’t have to be a regular player to make a huge impact. I’m comfortable making the claim that his work on the extra point to tie the game with 6 seconds left was the greatest hold in the history of football. And kicker Morgan Flint did a fantastic job of being patient and putting it through as Costa got the ball down. Neither player panicked under stressful circumstances and the Ducks were able to force overtime.
4. Jeremiah Masoli is on the verge of an invite to New York for the Heisman ceremony. How could he not be? Six touchdowns, 345 total yards of offense, a 15 play, 80 yard game winning tying drive and a stellar overtime all with a Rose Bowl on the line is the work of one of college football’s best players. He should be rewarded for the way he has played. Of course, the Civil War will dictate just how worthy he is of such an honor.
5. LaMichael James isn’t just a good runner, he’s also clutch. James wasn’t getting the carries throughout the second half, but when he got the call late in the game and in overtime, his determined effort and innate vision saved Oregon. He’s also now a Pac-10 record holder with the most rushing yards for a freshman in conference history.
6. There’s no doubt Oregon got lucky. They recovered early fumbles and Morgan Flint got a fateful forward bounce off the crossbar to tie the game in the fourth quarter. But as he lined up for that kick, I couldn’t help but think of the pressure kick they had him do in practice earlier this week (he made it). I had a soccer coach that always said, “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.” In this case, the Oregon coaches put Flint in a position to feel confident on that kick. Preparation has a lot to do with who gets lucky.
7. Comment of the day goes to FOTB’s visiting friend/acting sister as she lay on the couch while Masoli scored the winning touchdown. As FOTB and the blog jump around hysterically, she calmly  – and seriously – said: “So the Ducks won, right?” Oregon football: it’s not for everyone.
8. Take Chip’s advice and allow yourself a day of celebration. A Civil War for the ages looms, but we can worry about that on Monday. Today, the blog is going to revel in the moment.

Chip Kelly announced today that LeGarrette Blount has an opportunity for reinstatement and can be eligible as early as the Stanford game on November 7.

As you read about Blount continuing to do the right thing in the wake of the incident, one couldn’t help but root for this moment.

We’re talking about a guy that messed up big time, but also about a guy who loves the University of Oregon and seemed to accept his fate not just with words, but with his actions as well.

With so many millions of dollars at stake, you have a right to be skeptical of the sincerity, but a year was always too long of a punishment. It served to quell the immediate uprising more than to dole out appropriate justice.

Now, he’ll have his chance to prove to everyone that there’s more to LeGarrette Blount than a bad moment stuck in perpetual replay on SportsCenter.

For Kelly, it’s obviously a simpler decision given that the team has succeeded without him. If the Ducks had gone 0-4 (or even 2-2), pressure on Kelly would be mounting and the move would look like an act of desperation. Instead, LaMichael James has emerged at running back and Blount can be folded back into the mix without it looking like anything more than a second chance.

You may not agree with the decision, but it’s clear Kelly is a man of conviction who does what he believes is right regardless of public perception. It’s not like he or the program needs this, because after a three game winning streak, Kelly had finally brought calm to a stormy first month on the job.

Now he’s virtually ensured all but Barnum and Bailey will be on campus from here on out. It’s a huge risk, but one Kelly feels is worth taking for the sake of an individual.

As Kelly said in his press conference, “You’re going to get critiqued in this job every step of the way. My concern is LeGarrette.”

It’s not for the cameras or any of our moral righteousness, simply for LeGarrette Blount.