The college football wire has been staying hot the past week, seemingly extending the season, and for once, we have Pete Carroll to thank. Let's get right to your Morning Quack Fix, shall we?
Oregon's head men's basketball coach Ernie Kent informed reporters yesterday he was hospitalized last week due to what turned out to be a bleeding ulcer brought on by anti-inflammatory medication for his knees. The R-G's Bob Clark has more on Kent's decision to share the news.
Chip Kelly and the Ducks were bound to face Lane Kiffin one way or another next season, but I don't think any of us thought it'd be in Southern California. In case you've been under a rock the past 24 hours, Tennessee's tumultuous coach will return to USC to replace Pete Carroll as the Trojans' head coach. I think this is an intriguing choice if you're a USC fan. Kiffin seems to be a "high risk, high reward" selection...a lot like Carroll was when he took over in L.A. back in December, 2000.
Before the news about Kiffin broke, the R-G's George Schroeder wrote about how Carroll's departure to the NFL opens the door for Oregon to take control of the Pac-10 in the near future, and maybe long-term. But if there's any aspect of said opportunity the Ducks were hoping to capitalize on, it's recruiting. And the Kiffin hire, which includes assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron, should limit the damages to USC's 2010 class caused by Carroll's departure.
However, according to The Oregonian's Bob Rickert, one USC commit will be making a visit to Eugene this weekend, and another could in the very near future. Five-star running back Dillon Baxter is expected to visit Oregon this weekend, while offensive lineman Giovanni Di Poalo, a high-school teammate of Oregon commit Troy Hill, could also be expressing interest. Of course, this could mean nothing in the end, but it does hint at the fallout from Carroll's sudden departure.
More recruiting: Rickert also has an update on several high-profile recruits that are still on Oregon's radar.
ESPN.com's Ted Miller issued his Pac-10 all-bowl team yesterday, and Oregon's only representative is defensive end Kenny Rowe. Rowe was also Miller's best Pac-10 bowl-season defensive performer. Miller also has a list of five things we learned during the Pac-10 bowl season, and let me warn you: It's kind of depressing.
As always, leave any relevant links or comments below.
GO DUCKS!
