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Oregon Football: 5 overreactions from Ducks’ win over Nebraska

By Justin Dottavio

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 02: Running back Royce Freeman #21 of the Oregon Ducks scores a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Autzen Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 02: Running back Royce Freeman #21 of the Oregon Ducks scores a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Autzen Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 28: South Florida head coach Willie Taggart celebrates with his team after a first quarter touchdown against the Navy Midshipmen at Raymond James Stadium on October 28, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr. /Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 28: South Florida head coach Willie Taggart celebrates with his team after a first quarter touchdown against the Navy Midshipmen at Raymond James Stadium on October 28, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr. /Getty Images) /

1. Willie Taggart gets a contract extension/raise this season

I think Phil Knight will overreact, especially if the UCLA or Florida Gator jobs open up, and extend Willie Taggart’s contract, including more money. If the Ducks play as well as I expect, I can see this being highly probable.

There are talks of Jim McElwain being unhappy in Gainesville, Fla., and Jim Mora and UCLA have been living on the hotseat for a couple of seasons. If Mora lands an NFL job or is fired (I’m not sure how that’s always the 50/50 with him but it is) that Bruins’ job will get many coaches paid.

Who would you rather see in a Bruins polo if you’re the athletic director dealing with USC being in the Pac-12 title game and having a Heisman contender quarterback in Sam Darnold? Would you go for Mike Leach, Chip Kelly, Chis Petersen?

All of these coaches can get paid if the UCLA job comes open. I can see Taggart wanting to stay in Eugene with the excellent facilities and having Herbert for at least another season. But it would be hard to avoid the sunshine of Los Angeles, Calif., as a coach from the Tampa, Fla., area.

Next: 5 Overreactions from Louisville's Win Over UNC

It’s also a recruiting hotbed and instead of luring LA kids up north you can lure them down the street if you’re a charismatic coach like Taggart and have the assistants you have in Leavitt and Cristobal to ensure winning seasons.

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