Oregon Football: Summer Guide for Duck Fans

Now that the spring game has come and gone, Duck fans find themselves in another holding pattern as we wait and wait for summer practices to begin again in August.

During this time period, no news has to be viewed as good news. This is a period of time in which players could get hurt, get in trouble or lose focus, and that is not what fans want to see at this point. 

As we sit around waiting for the calender to keep turning, here are some things that Duck fans can do to help pass the time until summer practice is kicked off in August.

Get the Man Cave Ready

If you cannot find your way to Autzen this fall, make sure that your man cave is ready for a long fall. Have the Oregon gear ready, the lucky football at your side, the fridge fully stocked and the tailgate food ready.

One of the best parts of college football is the overall experience on Saturdays, so if you cannot be their live, make sure the environment in which you watch the game is ready to go. 

Watch the Rose Bowl Again

When the 2011 season came to an end, the Oregon Ducks had ended their long drought of Rose Bowl failures and finally captured the 2012 Rose Bowl.

During the game, viewers were treated to one of the best Rose Bowl's in recent memory as both the Ducks and Badgers went up and down the field putting up big plays and a lot of points.

With the time to do so, take some time to sit down and enjoy this game again because not only do you get to see former Ducks like LaMichael James and Darron Thomas shine, you see the future with players like De'Anthony Thomas. 

Make Arrangements to Be at Autzen in 2012

Regardless of whether or not you are local to the Eugene or Oregon area, Autzen Stadium is a special place to be on Saturdays in the fall. 

For the past two years, I have found a way to leave the state of Michigan to enjoy a long weekend in Eugene, and have never regretted it. 

With the game day experience, beautiful scenery and passionate crowd, Autzen is an experience that cannot be truly appreciated until you are sitting inside of that stadium. 

Watch the Oregon vs USC Game Again

When I talked about what a great experience being in Autzen is, understand that the game I traveled to see last year was the game against the Trojans.

Being in that stadium as the Ducks tried to rally late was electric and an atmosphere that could not be matched.

Despite the result, the game was outstanding and truly exciting to watch. Take time to sit down and study this matchup as these two teams appear to be heading on a collision course to meet twice this year. 

Save Your Money, New Jerseys Are Coming

Is this fact? No. The one thing that some Duck fans remember is that Coach Bellotti has been quoted in saying that the Ducks love the ability to have their players redesign the uniforms and have a new look after a certain set of jerseys have been worn for three years.

Usually the Ducks have found a way to give the fans a sneak peak at the upcoming uniforms by wearing the new look towards the end of the season. In the Rose Bowl this year, the Ducks made some slight but noticeable changes to the uniforms and while it isn't as drastic as the past changes have been, save your money and count on seeing some new threads toward the end of July or start of August.