Good morning Duck fans. After a great weekend, there's not a lot of substanial Duck news out there -- but here's what I could find. Enjoy.
- The Ducks take on their first baseball conference opponent tonight when they play the Huskies in Seattle. Jeff Smith of the Oregonian notes that tonight's matchup (as well as a second game on Wednesday) are non-conference games and won't count in the standings. Smith also writes that UW was picked to finish ninth in the Pac-10 and opened the year by losing two of three to Fresno State. It seems like UW might be a great (i.e. gentle) choice for an early peek at what Oregon will face in conference play.
- Ted Miller continues his positional preview of the Pac-10 with the running back position. Oregon grades out as being in "good shape" rather than "great shape" only because of the suspension to Blount, despite an "overwhelming assumption' that Blount will be back.
- Scout.com runs down their top 10 non-conference matchups for football with Oregon's opener at Boise State coming in at #7. USC's road games games at Notre Dame and Ohio State are ranked #4 and #1, respectively. In a similar vein, Nick Daschel of BusterSports.com lists Oregon's opener as one of the top storylines for the Pac-10.
- Scout.com also examines five major questions facing next year's football team, which include who becomes the lightning to Blount's thunder and who will start at wide receiver, in the defensive backfield, at center and at defensive tackle.
- ESPN's Tim Griffin blogs about Ludwig departing KSU for Cal after only a few months. He also considers Oregon a "successful previous stop." Someone should send him Jared's guest post from CGB.
- In Cross Country news, Galen Rupp has been selected the Men's NCAA Division I Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. According to the release, Rupp combined wins at the conference, region and national level this year with a 3.91 G.P.A. Congratulations to Rupp for an outstanding season and a well-deserved honor.
Go Ducks!