Oregon stands at a the threshold of destiny, once again.
The season, the PAC-10 race, the national respect and rankings, the beginning of something special, or the return of these things, are all on the line today. Life is a lot like football and defining tests in life and on the field help us appreciate sports;it becomes a part of us. Defining moments bring pressure, and the Boilermakers will bring plenty of it today.
I would be remiss if I failed to bring up the similarities of this game and when Oregon traveled to The Big House at Michigan last year. The pressure was on, just like today, and Oregon fans and players can say it was a defining moment in football and for us die-hard fans, life. Pressure of a national TV audience, the Wolverines hungry for a win after Appalachian State's win that shook the world of college football, and playing the all-time winningest football program on their field.
Oregon made playing Michigan look about as easy as us sports fans deciding once and for all that we need to put Lou Holtz into a home (It's time, folks). The stage was set for what we all dream and love about college football: the race for greatness and honor; of Saturdays filled with hope (Sundays filled with hangovers), pride and unyielding passion. One game, and suddenly Lloyd Carr began browsing Craigslist for a job, Dennis Dixon became the Heisman front-runner, and "The Sound of Silence" played over the PA at Michigan Stadium in the Third Quarter.
You get the point. Thirty-nine to seven, to be exact.
Sure, the Boilermakers will bring the pressure for a win. Purdue is pumped and ready to make a statement with an upset over the Ducks. Joe Tiller gets crowned as Purdue's all time winningest head coach, an upset on the national TV, and the Big Ten might gain some of the respect lost lately (side rant: C'mon this is football, just how intimidating is Jim Tressel's tie and vest (did his mother dress him?).
The guy looks like Mr. Rogers.
I'm waiting for him to change his shoes today at USC after each quarter and at post-game talk about how much he loves to play with kittens.
(Put it to you this way: wine and cheese with side of fruit with Tressel or a Vodka Red Bull with Bellotti???)
Point made.
So the pieces are set for a showdown, and the pressure will tell us all about this team and the season.
Ryan D. Monett
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