Some hits and whiffs on 2015 predictions – The Register-Guard

In sports, the scoreboard reigns supreme.

Coaches and athletes are beholden to it. Success and failure are defined by it. Winners bask in its glow, while losers rue its verdict.

From time to time, it’s nice to know that the people playing the games aren’t the only ones keeping score. If a coach carries his win-loss record wherever he goes, it’s only fair that the rest of us should do the same.

Consider this my own humble attempt. As a new year begins, I reviewed a year’s worth of columns to see what I got right and wrong in 2015.

“Six months from now, Oregon might look brilliant for recruiting Vernon Adams.” (So far, so good.)

“Adams might finish his academic work, join the team for fall camp and start the season opener against the school he ditched. He might take the torch from Marcus Mariota, lead Oregon to another Pac-12 title and justify any headaches associated with getting him here.

“All of this is possible, but … right now the Ducks are walking a dangerous line.”

I’ll take partial credit for getting this one right. Oregon’s quarterback situation felt precarious from the start, and even though Adams proved to be a perfect fit, concerns about the position were justified.

It’s true that Oregon was treading a dangerous line, but not for the reasons I thought. Read on.

“Oregon’s quarterback picture remains murky, but this much is clear: (Jeff) Lockie isn’t making it easy for the Ducks to hand the job to anyone else.

“This guy is sounding more and more like The Man all the time.”

It appears I missed the mark. I’ll stand by my assessment of Lockie as a genuinely good dude, but choosing Adams as the starter had to be the easiest call Oregon made all season.

Adams was great for Oregon in every way. The problem was depending on a quarterback who almost didn’t make it, then having no viable alternatives when he got hurt.

“The Ducks can cling to hope for this year, but in all probability, they’re playing for the NIT and a chance to build confidence for next year.”

In my defense, I was hardly the only person who underestimated Oregon’s NCAA Tournament chances in 2015. Even Dana Altman seemed surprised by how quickly the Ducks bounced back from a turbulent offseason.

Making the tournament in a year with almost no preseason expectations was big for Altman. Now we’ll see if the Ducks can take the next step and avoid the kind of second-round matchup that doomed them last March.

“The Badgers are exactly the kind of team Oregon hoped to avoid … Wisconsin looks like a death sentence.”

Picking a No. 1 seed over a No. 8 seed doesn’t qualify as a bold prediction, but I need all the wins I can get.

“If the Ducks need a reason to feel disrespected, they can find it in a preseason poll that puts them behind USC, the most overrated team in the post-Pete Carroll Pac-12.”

Nailed it. Who could have foreseen another disappointing season from the Trojans?

“Since I’ve never shied away from public shame and humiliation, I’ll … take Arizona State to knock off the Ducks and end the South Division’s title drought.”

I deserve everything I get.

“Mariners fans — and I know you’re out there — take heart. This is your year.”

I want to formally apologize for instilling false hope. But really, 2016 is when it all comes together.

“(Charles) Nelson is going to play in all three phases next season. That’s asking a lot … but the Ducks would be silly not to try.”

It took five games for Nelson to start at safety, and that might have been five games too long.

“The Alamo Bowl won’t be a job audition for Matt Lubick, Oregon’s new offensive coordinator. Now, what about Don Pellum?”

Up 31-0 at halftime, Pellum had to be feeling good. The second half explains why the Ducks will have a new defensive coordinator next season.

“Thanks to (Trevone Boykin’s) mistake, a once-compelling matchup has become an Alamo Bowl to forget.”

Nothing like ending the year with one more colossal whiff.

By my count, that’s five right and five wrong, confirming longstanding suspicions that the author of this column is thoroughly average in every way. I’m not bragging about that, but at least the year wasn’t a total loss.

Here’s to breaking even again in 2016.

Follow Austin on Twitter @austinmeekRG . Email [email protected] .

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