[Canard]

Canard,

Don't flatter yourself too much.  Though I don't have any love for Oregon's style or M.O., that doesn't diminish my respect of the team and program in terms of its ability to win.

That said, I would be saying the same thing about this game being a proxy battle of ideas if Stanford were playing Alabama or Florida State instead of Oregon, given the Martin situation and its fallout. It seems until the unconventional idea unseats the established one that has always been on top as the best, there will always be reason to doubt the contrarian's approach.  Right now, Oregon is considered to be just as close to the best as anyone in the college football world. 

So though as a fan, in terms of standings and bragging rights, I hope Oregon loses, bit in the greater war of ideas I see this game being a proxy for, Oregon is a nameless, faceless opponent for Stanford.  In other words, to me, and the way I see the world, tonight's game is bigger than just one game.  Last year it was for bragging rights.  This year it is personal, and it has nothing to do with Oregon.

There it is again. Regardless of whether it is opportunism, you do have Oregon cast as the representative of "anti-intellectualism" in some Manichean bubble that you have developed between Martin and the Dolphins, or the larger NFL, and between Stanford and its competitors.

Reality isn't that simplistic. Tonight's game will not be freighted with any of the metaphysical baggage you are portering.

[Canard]

Canard,

Don't flatter yourself too much.  Though I don't have any love for Oregon's style or M.O., that doesn't diminish my respect of the team and program in terms of its ability to win.

That said, I would be saying the same thing about this game being a proxy battle of ideas if Stanford were playing Alabama or Florida State instead of Oregon, given the Martin situation and its fallout. It seems until the unconventional idea unseats the established one that has always been on top as the best, there will always be reason to doubt the contrarian's approach.  Right now, Oregon is considered to be just as close to the best as anyone in the college football world. 

So though as a fan, in terms of standings and bragging rights, I hope Oregon loses, bit in the greater war of ideas I see this game being a proxy for, Oregon is a nameless, faceless opponent for Stanford.  In other words, to me, and the way I see the world, tonight's game is bigger than just one game.  Last year it was for bragging rights.  This year it is personal, and it has nothing to do with Oregon.

There it is again. Regardless of whether it is opportunism, you do have Oregon cast as the representative of "anti-intellectualism" in some Manichean bubble that you have developed between Martin and the Dolphins, or the larger NFL, and between Stanford and its competitors.

Reality isn't that simplistic. Tonight's game will not be freighted with any of the metaphysical baggage you are portering.