Turning Point for a Program or Simply
Another Bump in the Road?
Last night Oregon lost a football
game to Arizona, 42-16. OK. It wasn't the end of the
world. But did they lose more than that?
Today I am reminded of a specific
game some time ago. One team had been struggling and a
frustrated fan base was grumbling, "Fire the coach!".
Another was riding high with a high ranking and felt
entitled. Cocksure.
The ranked team was certain they
would be able to simply show up and the victory would
be theirs while the unranked team seemed to be on a
mission. The year was 1994.
The teams were Oregon and
Washington. The game has been forever known as "The
Pick".
In that case, the teams both fought hard. It came down
to "The Drive" by Oregon. Then came the OTHER drive by
Washington where everyone in the stadium was thinking,
"Uh Oh. Here we go again...". Oregon had
basically been dominated by Washington for
years.....Then came "The Pick". And the courses
of two programs were altered significantly. Washington
has struggled in mediocrity while Oregon has continued
it's climb to PAC-12 dominance and national
significance.
We have lived off the fuel of
the power of The Pick for two decades. Now the
fuel is spent.
Leading up to the Arizona game,
there were unfortunate comments by a couple players.
De'Anthony Thomas and Josh Huff had indicated their
- some would say - disdain for playing in the Rose
Bowl. Granted that was misinterpreted by many.
We understand they are highly competitive
student-athletes and continue to strive for the
highest achievement possible.
That would be the MNC (Mythical
National Championship).
They were not trying to
condescend when they made these comments. The
comments were sincere and only meant to inform
others of their high-level competitiveness. We
understand. But they must also have known that
Oregon is not the only school with highly
competitive student athletes with lofty goals.
Chip Kelly had it right. WTD.
And DON"T give out any quote that could otherwise be
misinterpreted or used against.
Arizona has been a doormat for
the last several years. Then they hired
someone who might just have them on a similar
trajectory that Oregon has traveled since 1994.
And they have a moment that they can use as fuel to
take them to the promised land.
Will that now become known as The Pick?
Time will tell. Arizona has not been to the Rose
Bowl. Do you think THEIR players would be making the
comments we have heard last week from ours? Is that
a sentiment held by the majority in the Oregon locker room?
Have WE developed a sense of entitlement? I hope
not. I still believe we are simply highly motivated
to succeed at the highest level.
Another question MUST be asked.
Does Mark Helfrich have the fire to be a top line
CEO on the sidelines? I THINK so. I HOPE so.
He as all the other qualities you love to have as a
coach. Organization. Loyalty. Team Spirit. Humor.
And for fans and the media? Accessibility. But does
he have the FIRE? Can he take the turmoil and use it
to forge a NEW ascending arc? Continue to build on
the foundation laid by previous regimes?
