Lou Holtz said that there was one constant line that came...

[UofDuck]

from the Big-Time recruits when he would visit them; "I want to play for a winner". That was the one constant he would hear. It is no wonder that USC brings in such boat loads of talent from the west and why the rest of us are forced to compete with 2nd tier kids. I don't mean that as a slap to our kids - lov em, but SC dominates the west in recruiting and PAC-10 rings.

HOWEVER, the winds of recruiting change may be a foot. I can't help but wonder what might be if we show up huge in the Rose Bowl. Future, Easly-King-OWA kind of "on the bubble" kids ARE watching. Nike, great gear, Autzen, rabid fans, AND A WINNER. The O has a real chance to become a destination - or we can follow OSU/Cal/UA in our bowl performance and SC will just continue unchallanged for top talent.

[Bigducker]

It always boils down to can I win a NC for the 4 and 5 star players.
The 3 star players are more apt to go for the best facilities, girls, etc.

[hendrg]

I normally try to block out everything Holtz says or just use is for comic relief, but he's probably right here.

Another Pac-10 Championship would go a long way to validating the program!

[UofDuck]

I normally try to block out everything Holtz says or just use is for comic relief, but he's probably right here.

Another Pac-10 Championship would go a long way to validating the program!

See Easily - example. I know there is more to it, but had Florida lost and Oregon stomped tOSU, who knows if the post game jubilation might have made the difference?

[UOducksTK1]

I normally try to block out everything Holtz says or just use is for comic relief, but he's probably right here.

Another Pac-10 Championship would go a long way to validating the program!

But it's not like Lou Holtz is going out on a limb. I mean it's pretty much common sense that athletes in any sport want to win and want to contribute.

[ncduck]

But if you say it with a lisp it sounds a lot smarter.

[UofDuck]

I get all that, the point was, we all talk about our facilites, noise, beauty... But those are all much lower on the totem pole than winning. That is why it is taking us step by step to break thru no matter how much U Phil "loves" us. How many times have we said if they visit... All our so called advantages put together appear to be only a small piece of puzzle. I'm cool with, but it's going to take time at the top. I believe Chip is the guy to do it and don't subscribe to those who say he can't recruit. We just need consistant Pac titles for him to take the next step in recruiting.

[hendrg]

But if you say it with a lisp it sounds a lot smarter.

[gofightingducks]

Winning the Rose Bowl against Ohio State would have helped but winning games against Tennessee and Georgia in the future will help, continuing to win against USC will be big. Oregon needs to beat the big boys in order to be perceived as a big boy themselves. If Oregon can continue to win PAC-10 titles and win some BCS games they will start landing some of those 5 star guys. Winning is the biggest thing for most recruits, Oregon has everything else to help them with recruits, now they just need to start winning more big games.