By Douglas Holtz-Eakin
The young drop coverage to avoid higher premiums
Mark Helfrich is Oregon's next man in.
Oregon hired Mark Helfrich as its football coach Sunday, promoting him from offensive coordinator to be Chip Kelly's successor.
Chip Kelly is closer to taking his fast-paced offense to the NFL.
Chip Kelly is closer to taking his fast-paced offense to the NFL.
The courtship of Chip Kelly is under way.
DeAnthony Thomas returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for the first of his two touchdowns, Marcus Mariota accounted for three scores, and No. 5 Oregon raced past No. 7 Kansas State 35-17 at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night.
Kansas State and Oregon were in perfect position at the start of Nov. 17, Nos. 1 and 2 in the BCS standings, seemingly on a crash course toward the national championship game.
Oregon and Kansas State were atop the BCS standings just two weeks ago, each needing two wins for a likely trip to the BCS championship.
Kenjon Barner ran for 198 yards and two touchdowns despite leaving the game for a time with an injury and No. 5 Oregon defeated No. 16 Oregon State 48-24 in the Civil War on Saturday, keeping alive the Ducks' hopes for a spot in the Pac-12 title game and even an outside chance at the national championship.
No. 1 team in the nation, playing at home against a ranked divisional rival with two losses on its record and an elusive redshirt freshman quarterback directing its offense.
In a blink of an eye, Marcus Mariota and Oregon turned a tight game into another blowout that could have the second-ranked Ducks in position to move into the top spot in the country.
Geno Smith looked like a Heisman Trophy hopeful and Connor Shaw showed no signs of an injured shoulder.
Without Tyler Wilson, Arkansas never had a chance against Alabama.
No. 1 Alabama (1-0) vs. Western Kentucky (1-0), 3:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Braxton Miller helped make Urban Meyer's first game as Ohio State coach a record-breaking romp for the Buckeyes.
It had been widely expected that he would jump to the NFL, leaving many surprised when he announced he was staying at Oregon after interviewing with Philadelphia, Cleveland and Buffalo following the Fiesta Bowl.
"Win The Day and all that _ that doesn't change for us," Mariota said.
