With final exams in the books for Oregon students, and the rest of us working stiffs counting down the days (Minutes? Seconds?!) until our respective holiday breaks, the only things passing the time are visions of a rosy New Year.  Well, that and our Morning Quack Fix:

• More recognition for redshirt freshman running back LaMichael James, who was named a third team all-American selection by Sporting News yesterday. James, whose explosive, elusive and electric style more than filled the void left in Oregon's backfield by suspended senior LeGarrette Blount, adds another marquee accolade to his growing list after earning the Pac-10's Offensive Freshman of the Year award, as well as College Football Performance Awards National Freshman Performer of the Year. Congratulations to LaMike.
• According to ESPN.com, two Ohio State players have been ruled ineligible for the Rose Bowl: wide receiver Duron Carter and defensive end Rob Rose. I'm not sure this will have much of an impact on the game, as Carter is third and fifth on the team in receiving yards and receptions, respectively, and Rose is nothing more than a reserve. Although, it's kind of a bummer for Buckeyes fans that a guy named Rose can't play in the game of the same name.
• Taking the focus off the Rose Bowl for a brief moment, Oregon's already getting mentioned as a preseason top-5 pick in 2010. NationalChamps.net has the Ducks third, behind Alabama and Boise State. How badly do I wish we could have a rematch with the Broncos next fall? Answer: Really badly.
• Back to the Rose Bowl: There's been much chatter about what could have been had Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor ended up in Eugene instead of Columbus, but we haven't actually heard from Pryor himself on the matter. Well, that's because Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel is not allowing Pryor to speak with reporters. But before you jump to conclusions about Tressel's reasons, know that Tressel is notorious for keeping his underclassmen away from the press.
• The Oregonian's John Hunt ranks the bowls based on ticket price (using data from FanSnap.com), and the Rose Bowl comes in second behind the National Championship game. That means it's either the second-most compelling bowl game, or demand is high because the folks in Pasadena are fed up with UCLA and want to watch real football.
• Jon Johnston of Nebraska blog Corn Nation has Oregon head coach Chip Kelly as his vote for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award. And as a member of the Football Writers Association of America, Johnston's vote will actually count. Of course, he's preaching to the choir over here at ATQ, since I don't think many of us are going to disagree on this one.
• The Oregon men's basketball team will be without seniors Tajuan Porter and Joevan Catron again when they take on Mississippi Valley State tonight at Mac Court. The Ducks are 4-4, but have been riddled with injuries throughout the preseason. Of course, despite these injuries, not everyone is taking Oregon's early struggles in stride.
• The Oregon women's basketball team received votes in this week's AP top 25 poll. The Ducks are 8-1 on the season, their only misstep coming on a buzzer-beater in a 58-57 loss to Wisconsin on Nov. 28.
• The NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships are already slated to take place at Hayward Field in 2010, but yesterday the NCAA announced Oregon has been chosen to host the event in 2012 and 2013 as well. The event returns to Eugene for the 10th time this June, the first since 2001.

As always, leave any relevant links or comments below.

GO DUCKS!