At 4 PM PST, 7 PM EST, the Oregon Ducks will once again engage in their yearly gridiron battle royale against their northern rivals, the name of which will not be spoken here. The season has been painful, I know. I was in Autzen last weekend, seated in the fan section for UCLA. In the fourth quarter, these reckless Bruins devotees didn't hesitate to rub their team's impending victory in the noses of 50,000+ Duck fans. With their blue bear hats and homemade signs held high, they chanted "U-C-L-A! FIGHT! FIGHT!" and gave one another high-fives. The celebration drew the ire of those behind us. They tossed hot dog wrappers and empty cups, most of which wound up hitting my parents.

I have no words for coach Bellotti and the Ducks on this cold November Day as they enter Reser Stadium other than "if you guys win, that would be downright swell." With a 6-5 record, a bowl game of some sort surely awaits. Is the Blockbuster Video Bowl still around? Does Plaid Pantry have one yet?