I never cease to be enthralled by the shenanigans of conference realignment.

We know that the catalyst behind realignment is money-college football television money, to be exact. This was the reason for a seemingly illogical marriage between San Diego State, Boise State, and the Big East, was that AQ status, and access to a guaranteed BCS bowl, would maximize revenue potential for those programs that would make the travel worth it. While those arrangements are in jeopardy, they do bring to light a logical idea that should be getting more press than it is and that I will explore in another post: the breaking of the bonds between a school's football conference alignment, and that of a school's other sports.

But the issue at hand today is football alignment. We all have an idea of what we think stability will entail. The most common model discussed seems to be that of the 16-team "superconference," leaving 64 teams playing big-time college football, with some second tier between what we now call the FBS and FCS levels hosting the MACs, Sun Belts, and Conference USAs of the world. We are, essentially, seeing the professionalization of college football from a revenue-generation standpoint, and there is nothing to be gained from sharing the pie with the MAC schools, which aren't real players in the game, anyways. The "superconferences" also lead really nicely into an eight-game playoff, which we know would be worth beaucoup bucks to the 64 remaining schools.

I have serious doubts about this model. Not about whether this model is viable, or even about whether it will happen-because I think the answer on both accounts is yes. My doubts instead question whether this is actually the endgame. Remember, the game is about revenue maximization. College football doesn't need 64 teams-it only needs enough teams to secure the proper combination of traditional powers and large enough television markets to maximize the television contract for its biggest schools. That means getting your product on as many television sets as possible, and having the fewest number of players to share the pie with. Why should both Washington and Washington State get a piece of the pie? Why Iowa and Iowa State? Such redundancies add no TV markets, but create and extra piece of the pie that must be shared. Its only a matter of time before the battle that we're seeing now-big conference vs. small conference-turns into the battle of big program vs. small program. And we already know who wins.

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via cdn.head-fi.org

All of you are awesome! I can't tell you how humbled and small I feel by your generous outpouring of compassion and support that you showed through this fundraiser over the last two weeks. There aren't enough words and space to thank everyone involved, but I'll try. From axemen23 and his tireless work on getting the auctions up and answering all the questions from the bidders, to benzduck and his charitableness in getting poster put together for those that wanted them. To gekko mojo at UWDP and his willingness to look beyond the rivalry and pettiness of athletics and offer support of this worthy cause. There were donors like the ladies that wrote "The Maniac and Me" or former U of O President Dave Frohnmeyer, and the Duck Store and scudderfan who once again was the catalyst for all of this starting.

Finally, there were the cash donors that poured in by the droves. I wish I could post all the emails and comments I received from people supporting this cause. Beavers, Huskies, Ducks and non-sports related fans all stepped up and contributed. Most of all there was Dominic Dvieira and his family that led by example and matched donations to the tune of $436! All in all, our contribution to the Osteogensis Imperfecta Foundation will total more than $2400.

That donation will be sent to OI in Wyatt "Wolf's" name. This blog and the numerous people that contributed are not asking for recognition. So instead, I am passing on what Wyatt's Dad has to say in his honor. I'll let his words speak for how I feel about all of you:

Wyatt is an inspiration. We weren't sure he would be with us very long, but he's two years old now, and he's been a blessing to us every single day of his life. It is clear that no matter what limitations OI puts on him, he'll overcome them with his boundless spirit. Thanks to the Lord for giving us this wonderful boy. He is an inspiration.

At the same time, we are also inspired by our family and friends who have supported Wyatt, and supported us, throughout our time dealing with this condition. Our heartfelt and sincerest gratitude goes to all of you. You have taken care of us and given us love and hope and compassion. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Daniel and Julia Flude

It is foolish and childish, on the face of it, to affiliate ourselves with anything so insignificant and patently contrived and commercially exploitative as a professional sports team, and the amused superiority and icy scorn that the non-fan directs at the sports nut...is understandable and almost unanswerable. Almost. What is left out of this calculation, it seems to me, is the business of caring - caring deeply and passionately, really caring - which is a capacity or an emotion that has almost gone out of our lives. And so it seems possible that we have come to a time when it no longer matters so much what the caring is about, how frail or foolish is the object of that concern, as long as the feeling itself can be saved. Naivete - the infantile and ignoble joy that sends a grown man or woman to dancing and shouting with joy in the middle of the night over the haphazard flight of a distant ball - seems a small price to pay for such a gift.

--Roger Angell

Onto the Quack:

• Matt and I recorded an excellent podcast last night with Jeff Nusser and Brian Floyd of CougCenter. The Mike Leach hire has brought the excitement back to Pullman. To me, Washington State is the most interesting team in the conference this season, and every Cougar game will be must-DVR television.
• Softball will be hosting a regional this weekend, and George Schroeder uses the occasion to tell us about the dilapidated state of Howe Field. Its the worst facility in the conference, and the once facility on campus that isn't brand new, yet there are no plans to replace or renovate it.
• Brock Huard likes the Ducks, and not the Trojans, to win the Pac-12 and make a run at the national title (warning: Insider link).
• With a four-team playoff all but certain, Andy Staples tackles an important question: How do you avoid a situation like last year, where Stanford was ranked ahead of Oregon despite the Ducks winning the conference and destroying the Cardinal in Palo Alto?
• Finally, Avinash over at Pacific Takes looks at Pac-12 athletic revenues. Only one department is operating in the black. Guess who?

That's all the quack I have for today. Remember, its been 3,120 days since the washington huskies have beaten the Oregon Ducks in football.

It is Tuesday Night, and we all know that means you have your alarms set for 9:00 when you can listen to Matt Daddy and I pretend that we know things about the Oregon Ducks. Tonight, Matt and I continue our tour of the Pac-12, as we talk with Jeff Nusser of CougCenter about the Cougars' new direction under Mike Leach. What kind of changes are in store on the Palouse? Is the talent in place to win now? And what do Cougar fans expect this season? Hear the answers to those questions and more. You can listen to the live show, or download the podcast by visiting the Tuesday Night Talks page on Talkshoe.

This isn't a Junior Seau retrospective. I missed the boat on Junior Seau retrospectives by about twelve days. This is a reflection, an admittance of hypocrisy, and a pledge.

People do very strange things in the wake of a suicide. I attribute this to the fact that suicides are usually an unexpected act. People who commit suicide rarely gather evidence, consult friends and family, and still decide that ending their own life is the right option. Suicide is a solitary, if not selfish, decision. And when we find out someone we know has made this ultimate decision, we have an equally selfish reaction: why couldn't they have told me, why wouldn't they let me help? How dare they not share their pain with me? And we feel guilty. But that guilt is selfish as well. We feel that guilt because our lack of empathy has just been aggressively thrown in our face. It's that lack of empathy, and a subsequent sense of entitlement, that has bred our current culture of sports fandom. It's what drove Junior Seau to make the decision he made. And it needs to change, before it gets worse.

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Man, how about that baseball team? They have now won 11 of their last 12 and their only remaining conference series is against OSU over Memorial Day weekend.

• The baseball team rallied for a 6-3 victory last night over the Trojans. After last night's victory, the Ducks are 1.5 games up on Arizona in the Pac-12 baseball standings with just three conference games remaining. Finally, the latest Baseball America rankings had Oregon up to #6.
• Lots of activity on the Pac-12 blog yesterday. First, Ted Miller has his thoughts on the five schools that entered (and left) the spring without a presumptive starter at the QB position. Miller followed that up with a post on the "Best of the Pac-12" from the spring, with Oregon earning a mention for "worst timing." Kevin Gemmell also offered his thoughts on what we've learned as we head into summer. Finally, a couple of videos: Gemmell on the conference TE talent and Ted Miller talks about the biggest Pac-12 games in 2012.
• Over at fishduck, Kurt runs down what an extraordinary year it's been for Oregon athletics, the latest video is an analysis of the spring game and Jerod Young has a post on golfer Eugene Wong.
• With the men's and women's team having both wrapped up conference titles this past weekend, Ken Goe writes that the teams are now looking ahead to the NCAA West Regionals which takes place in two weeks in Austin, Texas.
• Curtis Anderson has a story on Jordan Hasay finally breaking through this season by successfully defending her conference title in the 1,500 meters on Saturday.

Go Ducks!

I hope everyone had a glorious Mother's Day. Remember, if it wasn't for your mothers, none of us would be here. Onto the quack:

• And the boys of the diamond keep rolling along. Jake Reed was stellar in his start on Sunday and Kuedell was equally as awesome in their win on Saturday. The Ducks are now 37-14 overall and 18-8 in conference with a game and half lead on Arizona. The final game against USC is tonight at 6:00pm.
• Softball team isn't doing too shabby either. Oregon is set to host its first ever regional starting Thursday. Congrats to the lady ducks on their tremendous season so far.
• So apparently, top 10 player Anthony Bennett chose UNLV over Oregon. Congrats to the Running Rebs, and best of luck to Bennett. Oregon needs to move on and Chris Obekpa is still undecided.
• The Pac 12 Championships were this weekend and it looked like an uphill fight for the men in track and a pretty sure thing for the women. Well, both teams came through in the end as Oregon took home two new Pac 12 Championship banners. You have to love this little tidbit of information from Ken Goe, "For those scoring at home, Oregon has won six consecutive men's conference titles and four consecutive women's titles. No other program in conference history has swept this meet in four successive seasons."
• What's that? You want video of De'Anthony running? Well ok.
• Lastly, Ted Miller has his Spring Wraps for all the Pac 12 schools. For Oregon, Miller pretty much nails all the key points. Who is going to replace Pleasant, Jordan and Kiko look like studs, the QB competition should be exciting and will Byron Marshall be ready? The one thing I think people keep dismissing though is the question marks at wide receivers. Unfortunately, I don't think Oregon is any further along at WR han they were last year.

That's all the quack I got. Leave any other pieces in the comments.

Oregon received unfortunate but not surprising news yesterday as Anthony Bennett, one of the best basketball prospects in the nation, committed to UNLV. Bennett had previously narrowed his choices to UNLV and the Ducks. Oregon was thought to be behind UNLV the entire time, but had Bennett's friend and current Duck commit Dominic Artis advocating on their behalf, plus the fact that Eugene is basically Canada, Bennett's native country.

With Bennett out of the picture, the Ducks will now turn their sights to 6-8 PF Chris Obekpa of Our Savior New American in New York. Obekpa is a four star player and top 100 player nationally. Artis has also been recruiting Obekpa, who is rumored to make a visit to Oregon this week. Obekpa is also considering Providence, DePaul, and Cincinnati.

In football news, one top RB target, 4* Dontre Wilson, has pushed his announcement date back from May 25 so he can visit Ohio State. Should Oregon be concerned? Yes. Wilson had narrowed his choices to Oregon and Texas and was thought to be a heavy Oregon lean before Ohio State entered the picture. Urban Meyer is one of the most dogged and successful recruiters in the nation. Like Oregon, Ohio State plans to run an uptempo offense this season, which appeals to Wilson. Still, you have to respect a kid's choice to assess all of his options and assume that Oregon is still in the lead until hearing otherwise.

In other news Oregon coaches have been on the road and handing out more offers. This year perhaps more than any other the Ducks are seeing top recruits from around the country name Oregon as one of their top choices. Most recently, 4* cornerback L.J. Moore of Fresno named Oregon as among his top choices. In North Carolina, 4* TE Josh McNeil said getting an invite to Oregon was a "dream come true", while Peter Kalambayi, a 4* linebacker listed Oregon among his top 5. Finally, 5* defensive tackle Montravius Adams from Georgia recently indicated that he wanted to take an official visit to Oregon, as did 4* LB/DE Torrodney Prevot from Texas.

Oregon currently has two commits in OL Evan Voeller and RB Thomas Tyner.