1-11-23 Emerald Media Group - Week of Welcome

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Top viewed story in the past week:

“Oregon women’s basketball guard Jennah Isai leaves program” by Lily Crane (Jonathan Suni/Emerald)

Second most read story in the past week:

“A potential new stadium for the Eugene Emeralds creates controversy” by Jace Andrews

Voices of UO

Scan here or visit the Emerald’s social media to participate in our next Voices of UO. “Where is your favorite late night food place in Eugene?”

Opinion Writer Recommends

BY CAITLIN TAPIA

SHOW RECOMMENDATION:

“KALEIDOSCOPE” CREATED BY ERIC GARCIA

Summary: Released at the start of the new year, Netflix’s latest drama miniseries follows a thief and his crew in an attempt to pull off the largest heist of all time. Spanning nine episodes, each named after a color, the 24 years of planning and executing a heist is portrayed with all of the loyalties and betrayals bound to happen. It’s loosely inspired by the events following Hurricane Sandy when $70 billion went missing from Manhattan. The catch? The episodes have been designed to watch in any order, ending with “White.”

While some critics have their opinions on the best orders to watch the series in, Netflix will automatically give you one of the 40,000+ randomized orders to watch the show. What do you think is the best order in which to watch the show?

We want to hear from you:

We want to hear from you: Email editor@dailyemerald. com to submit a tip or a letter to the editor. The ideal length for a letter is 200-500 words, but we publish letters of various lengths online.

For updated coverage of sports and digital-exclusive content, go to www.dailyemerald.com

(Will Geschke/Emerald)

(Maisie Plew/Emerald)

Green Johnson (they/ he) is a sophomore with a major in humanities. While he used to make political cartoons, he’s now creating a new comic series; Pip the Pessimist is about little creatures trying to find their place in a tragic world.

Photo courtesy of Caitlin Tapia

UO PRESIDENTIAL POSITION IS OPEN FOR APPLICATION

On Dec. 6, 2022, the Board of Trustees at the University of Oregon unanimously approved a presidential profile, which will help guide the board’s selection of the university’s next president after former president Michael Schill announced he would leave in August 2022 for Northwestern University.

According to the profile, in order to ensure “success” in the position, the president should have a record of “successful executive leadership” through earning a doctorate or an appropriate terminal degree, strong ethical standards and strength of character, a record of leadership promoting racial equality and diversity, and executive leadership involving shared governance.

Among other criteria, the profile says the president should have the ability to develop a vision to move UO into the top 50 national universities, an understanding and appreciation of the complexities of a multi-union environment, an understanding of the value of a strong Division I intercollegiate athletic program and a commitment to recruit and retain talented faculty and staff, especially those from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds.

The profile was created over fall using information collected through student, staff and faculty forums and online surveys by Parker Executive Search and through campus engagement from the 22-member presidential search committee.

UO’s president serves as the university’s “chief executive officer, administrator, and advocate,” according to the profile.

BY LILY FJELDHEIM

“The president is kind of like a mayor. We are a small city with over 5,000 staff and faculty and over 20,000 students, and so they help set the tone for the culture that’s expected,” University Secretary and Advisor to the President Tim Inman said.

ASUO President and member of the Presidential Search Committee Luda Isakharov described the UO president as “the person that kind of creates one direction for the university and one vision and brings all that together.”

Now that the profile is public, applicants can apply for the position and students and others can submit recommendations for the position.

The profile also contains UO’s mission statement, purpose, values, vision and a variety of topics that represent the culture of UO.

To further give applicants an idea of UO, the profile has information about intercollegiate athletics, alumni, fundraising, new degrees since 2020, faculty diversity, UO’s different campuses, the Ballmer Institute for children’s behavioral health, graduation rates, career readiness and scholarships and financial aid.

The search committee is accepting and encouraging recommendations for the position, according to Around the O. The Search Committee will start reviewing submissions immediately until the position is filled, according to the profile.

Oregon State University, Portland State University and Eastern Oregon University have also experienced turnover this year, with each of their presidents announcing in 2022 they would leave.

OSU’s new president, Jayathi Murthy, is the

university’s first president who is a woman of color. Provost and Senior Vice President of the University, Patrick Phillips, has been interim president since August of 2022. The board will have a decision on its selection by next spring, according to UO.

Board of Trustees approves Presidential Profile making the application for the position public.

Johnson Hall is the administration building on the University of Oregon campus. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)

Luda Isakharov is the president-elect for the ASUO. The ASUO’s elections were certified elections were certified on April 6, 2022. (Will Geschke/Emerald)

BY TRISTIN HOFFMAN

HOFFMAN: I MISS MY GAP YEAR OF SELF DISCOVERY

Opinion: Between classes, homework and extracurriculars, I have little free time for myself now. Before, I was swimming with time to figure out what inspires me, who I want to be and what I want to do with my future.

Almost three years ago, the world watched as the COVID pandemic ravaged families, hospitals, governments, cities and lives. For a moment, it seemed that life was on standby. Stay-at-home orders halted the hustle of pre-pandemic life, and many looked inwards to their wellness and creativity. Schools scrambled to keep students in a functional curriculum until the summer, then reassessed for the next school year.

The part that might have been overlooked by colleges or universities, though, was the wave of gap year students that 2020 would bring in. I was one of those students who decided to skip the online classes and take a year off, even if that meant staying at home with no traditional gap year travel. It was one of the best decisions of my life.

During my year and a half (I counted the last months of my senior year of high school in with it, as we didn’t really do much) off from the school conveyor belt, I read more than 50 books, studied the history of twentieth century literature and political movements and even explored a bit of physics. I learned music history, played guitar for sometimes 10 hours a day and enjoyed time with my family. Allen Ginsberg, I learned, really inspired me as a poet and person. I didn’t even know the Beat Generation existed before my gap year. At one point, I had a solid hunch on why Led Zeppelin’s first album was the beginning of the end for classic rock, with a solid background in self-taught music history to aid my case. Perhaps that’s an article for later.

I did — and learned — so much during this time, yet it didn’t feel like I was all that busy. I was listening to my inner voice, doing what I truly wanted to do, which brought me the truest form of fulfillment and self-discovery I’ve ever felt. By staying at home during my year off from school, the four walls of my bedroom forced me to think through things that I otherwise would have put at the bottom of my to-do list. It was a time of contemplation. I had the ability to settle down and set attainable goals for my future self, reflect on the past and become excited about what life after my gap year meant.

Saving money was also a plus. By living with my parents, I graciously had no rent or food to worry about. I was a part-time grocery store cashier, so upon finding myself in Eugene, around 800 miles away from my San Diegan comfort zone, I had life lessons and savings to cushion my beginning of college. I got a taste of what working without school felt like, which helped manage my expectations for how entering the professional

workforce after graduation will be. Money is a big part of the college experience, and taking time to financially prepare for college was another reason why I look back with fondness for my gap year.

Breaks from school, though they aren’t talked about enough, are a commonality between nontraditional students. In fact, breaks are one of the defining attributes of what it means to be a nontraditional student.

For Shanie Jorgenson, co-director of the Nontraditional Student Union, taking a break from school turned out to solidify what she wanted to do with school and her career when she came back.

“[My break] was me thinking that I wasn’t quite good enough for school. [I thought] it wasn’t going to do anything for me, so I might as well work and see if I could find better jobs,” Jorgenson said. “Turns out, I realized I didn’t want to bounce around between jobs. I felt stuck and after two semesters I decided I would go back to school.”

For some, taking a break from school can be a reset button on energy. For others, it can be a time of working, taking care of family or traveling. Nonetheless, the path for students, particularly nontraditional students, varies. The NSU at UO serves students who come from different backgrounds in education and provides a welcoming community with resources such as academic, financial, family and well-being support.

“A lot of us, as well as other volunteers and students feel underrepresented,” Danielle Lichtenstein, co-director of the Nontraditional Student Union, said. “I think some of our goals include having a larger social presence on campus and casting a wider net to gain the attention of more students. We hear all too often that people wish they knew about the NSU earlier on. We really want anyone who identifies as a nontraditional student to know about us before they take their first steps onto campus.”

Readjusting to life as a student has had its ups and downs. It’s invigorating to be outside of my isolated corner of the world (aka my bedroom) and being around so

many people again. Being involved in academia is inspiring and motivating on so many levels, from talking to professors about the subject they teach to studying in the library with a beautiful view. I’m moving on from my gap year and embracing the “real” world again — the one with busy schedules, deadlines and stress. It’s been a learning curve.

Back at school, I find myself forgetting what it felt like to be creative, free from stress and full of wonder. The concession line of essays, quizzes, homework and extracurriculars has left no time for hobbies or learning outside of school. The 50 books read per year has dwindled down to three. With so much of my time directed toward school now, I’ve made sure to not forget the core of what I learned during my year off: schedules come in cycles, and time for self-care and introspection will come back around eventually. This keeps my head below the clouds for now, even as much as I miss my gap year of self-discovery.

Guitar picks with the “Pony” tour logo on them line the microphone. Rex Orange County performs at the Keller Auditorium in Portland on Jan. 19, 2020. (Maddie Knight/Emerald)

A WINTER GUIDE TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS

This winter term, ducks can look forward to all the Outdoor Program has in store.

Students have been leaving Eugene by the masses as they make the journey home for winter break, many looking forward to enjoying the winter weather with their families and celebrating the holidays. For winter lovers, one of the undeniably best aspects of the season is the weather associated with it. As the snow sports season approaches, here’s how the UO Outdoor Program advises you to bundle up and still make the trek outside, despite the fact that it’s icy out.

ALPINE SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING

For early birds who were excited to jump at the beginning of the winter sports season, the Outdoor Program hosted a ski waxing clinic at the end of November. The collaborative event with Berg’s Ski Shop, a local Eugene ski and snowboarding outlet, allowed students to learn some key maintenance skills before they even get up to the mountains. Students can keep their eyes open for more collaboration with Berg’s in the upcoming months. With local favorite resorts such as Mt. Hoodoo and Mt. Bachelor opening already, those who love to shred may begin to ask themselves, ‘What are we waiting for?!’

MOUNTAIN BIKING

With three new exciting editions of Santa Cruz trail bikes (specifically, Chameleon Hardtails) in the Outdoor and Bike Program space, those who love mountain biking don’t have to wait to get in on the action. Local areas such as Ridgeline Trail will continue to be open through December and January for those who are willing to brave the ice and snow on their path. For individuals who are looking for a lower level biking experience, check out the bicycles and icicles trip on Jan. 17.

SNOWSHOEING, BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

For those who enjoy slower-paced winter activities, keep a lookout for the Outdoor Program planning outings on snowshoes or on backcountry skis. These opportunities will provide students who may be unfamiliar with the snow and related activities to take a slower approach to it before diving into more intense snow sports.

Though not currently planned through the Outdoor Program, driving out to the Bureau of Land Management land in Marcola, Oregon, is another quick way for students to spend a day surrounded by nature. Between being able to access beautiful snowy hiking trails and day-use areas, this recommendation from Nancy Serrano,

BY MIRANDAH DAVIS-POWELL

Bike Mechanic at the Outdoor Program, is sure not to disappoint.

OR… PLAN YOUR OWN COMMON ADVENTURE TRIP!

Common Adventure trips are planned by students, for students, allowing for an outing that is tailored to whatever kind of experiences are wished for. This could look like snow camping, a hiking day trip or whatever you set your mind to. A recent common adventure trip took students from campus to the Oregon coast by bike! As a University of Oregon Student, you’re automatically a member of the Outdoor Program, and they’d love to see more people come out and be involved in community events once the winter term kicks off. There will be a clinic focused on how to plan your own common adventure trips during the second week of winter term on Jan. 18. Come on out if you’re interested in learning more!

Whether your goals are to achieve a new goal for outdoor adventures or simply to explore the possibilities, be sure to stop by the Outdoor Program office to get geared up for adventure this winter season.

(Dylan Freedom/Unsplash)

ADAPTABILITY BECAME RIVALDO SOARES’ BEST ABILITY

Growing up without a consistent home, Rivaldo Soares found solace in basketball.

Growing up without a consistent home, Rivaldo Soares found solace in basketball.

BY AARON HEISEN • TWITTER @AARON_HEISEN

Rivaldo Soares always kept things close to his chest, rarely letting his father know the talents he possessed on the basketball court.

“I’ve always been to myself and he gets mad at me to this day,” Soares said. “In high school, I would just be like ‘I got a game. I’m about to head out.’ All the while I’m scoring 27 points.”

His quiet demeanor trickled into the way in which he described his upbringing.

Maybe it was because he’s rarely been asked about it? Maybe, since he lived through it from the time he was born, it’s become normalized? Or maybe, it’s that his father — who immigrated to the U.S. from Puerto Rico before Soares was born — knew all too well that the situation could have been far worse, and instilled that reality in his son?

Either way, when Soares recalled his childhood, when he thought about what he lived through before basketball became his escape, he struggled to find the right words. Rather than painting a picture — one that may force him to live through those moments again — he shared how they continue to impact him to this day.

“We all have a different perception of home,” Soares said. “My home has changed a lot, so it’s forced me to learn how to fit into my surroundings.”

Those experiences as a kid, that constant moving from place to place, made transitions like the one from Boston, Massachusetts, to South Plains, Texas — a town he described as being “in the middle of nowhere with nothing but a Walmart” — and then to Eugene, Oregon — a city that he felt embraced him — pretty seamless. It’s why no matter what role he’s been offered on the basketball court, he’s accepted it and excelled in it. It’s why when he’s

in a shooting slump, like the one he went through earlier this season, he still contributed to the Oregon men’s basketball team.

As a kid, Soares was oblivious to the fact that his situation was the antithesis of many others’. It was all he knew. Now, as a junior in college, it’s taught him how to adjust to each new setting.

Soares grew up in the inner city of Boston — a small town called Dorchester. His mom left when he was four. At times, he and his father, Adriano, were homeless or living on the couches of their relatives, until Adriano could afford an apartment where the two shared a bed. Adriano didn’t actively hide any shortcomings from his son as he hoped that Soares would learn from the circumstances and be grateful for the things he did have.

When he was 14 he got his own room, after the pair had moved in with Adriano’s girlfriend at the time.

“I’ll always know [Boston] will be home,” Soares said. “But it doesn’t give me the homey feeling because my Dad moved into a one-bedroom apartment, so when I go back to Boston I have to find a place to stay.”

It had always been that way, though. Yes, he grew up in Boston and lived there for 18 years, but there was no place that provided a consistent roof over the heads of him and his father.

He and his friends all lived around an elementary school with outdoor basketball courts and a football field, and they spent the majority of their days outside indulging in sports. Soares didn’t have a phone, so he would just peek out of his window to see if anyone was playing.

“My Dad worked from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” Soares said. “So sports definitely kept me busy and kept

me out of trouble.”

It didn’t hurt that he excelled in most he tried his hand at. Soares began to play basketball on the AAU circuit in fifth grade, but the first organized sport he tried was swimming. He knew he could play basketball at a high level, but didn’t take it seriously until his sophomore year of high school.

That phenomenon was unbeknownst to Drew Hughes-Brock, the O’Bryant high school varsity basketball coach. He wouldn’t have known Soares was disinterested in the sport when he first sought him out as an eighth grader.

He was drawn to Soares as a player because of his willingness to fill a role and excel in it.

“We had a little bit of trouble at the point guard spot,” Hughes-Brock said. “I remember just watching him as an eighth grader, and he was just real smooth… he would never turn the ball over.”

When Soares would bring the ball up the court he would put his back to his defender to protect his dribble. It was a technique popularized by many point guards in the 1900s, but one rarely practiced in the modern-day game. Hughes-Brock appreciated it as he thought it would allow Soares to shield the ball from the bigger players he’d face at the varsity level.

As an eighth grader, Soares took a senior’s spot in the starting lineup.

“In the first game I called him up; he took a charge,” Hughes-Brock said. “After that his minutes doubled, and within a week he was starting.”

If it was his ability to handle the ball and score that got him to varsity, then it was his willingness to put his body on the line that secured his spot in the starting lineup.

His play improved rapidly, and by sophomore year he had become one of the leading scorers on the team. When they needed a bucket or someone to incite a run, Hughes-Brock put that responsibility on him. It was a tough transition for Soares, whose reserved disposition worked its way onto the court. He had just begun to take basketball seriously and had found comfort in a point guard role, which entailed protecting the ball and bettering the play of those around him.

“He’s more of a pass-first shoot-second guy,” Hughes-Brock said. “There were times where I literally had to call a timeout and be like, ‘hey, I need you to take over the game so we don’t lose.’”

Along with an improvement in play, he had grown to 6-foot-6, yet Hughes-Brock insisted he’d remain listed as a guard. Soon, Soares’ repertoire garnered looks from college coaches. It was an unexpected development for a kid whose interest in basketball had hardly piqued. That manifested itself in the classroom, where Soares’ grades weren’t high enough to earn a Division I scholarship. Instead he committed to South Plains College to embark on a journey that he hoped would result in a Division I scholarship.

When he arrived in Texas, head coach Steve Green knew he was talented enough to play 30plus minutes a night, but was unsure of where Soares would fit in schematically, as he had no problems with guard play.

Green ran an offense predicated on setting screens — an assignment Soares was rarely tasked with in high school, but had taken on when he was the tallest kid on his AAU team. In Green’s offense, when the five set a screen on the ball, he would roll or pop out for a three. However when the four set a screen on the ball it could be swung to him in a position that

exploited a switch and initiated offense.

“In junior college, nobody wants to play the four because they don’t think it’s their ticket to the big time,” Green said. “I had issues with two guys who wanted to have the ball and come off ball screens.”

“We had a four man that didn’t want to be the four,” Soares said. “I was like, ‘Coach, I’ll do it. The ball’s always in his hands anyways. Let me pass it and go set a screen, slip it, be involved in the play, more.’”

“He was very willing to do whatever it took,” Green said. “That puts you lightyears ahead of a lot of guys that are very narrow minded.”

And the catch to all of this, that open mind that he had toward playing the four, that became his ticket to the big time.

At Oregon, acts like embracing a position others push away evolved into making hustle plays that no others desire to make. That’s become his calling card and a defining factor in why he’s seen his minutes rise from 18 per game last year to 29.

While those point guard duties he accepted in high school now fall on the shoulders of Will Richardson, Keeshawn Barthlemey and others, Soares still retains that same pass-first mindset that fascinated coach Hughes-Brock in high school.

During Oregon’s 74-60 win against Washington State in early December of 2022, the Ducks had struggled to create any separation from the Cougars in the first half. But in the second half, they found an advantage feeding center N’Faly Dante on the inside. Soares found him three times on lob passes that flew just over the outstretched arms of Mouhamed Gueye, and by the end of the night he had tallied seven assists.

Dante went on to score a career-high 22 points, in large part because of the service from Soares. Soares’ malleability also helped Oregon

overcome a ranked opponent in Villanova earlier this season.

Midway through the second quarter it seemed as if Soared showed little fight as Villanova’s Brendan Hausen boxed him out and forced him beyond the boundary line to the left side of the basket.

But as his teammate Tyrone Williams launched a corner three, Soares shifted out of Hausen’s grasp, positioning himself to corral the miss. He then found forward Quincy Guerrier on the wing for an open triple. This time, his teammate’s shot clanked off the right side of the rim and trickled into the corner. Soares seemingly predicted the direction of the miss and darted across the paint to beat every Wildcat in pursuit of the ball, setting up a third opportunity for the Ducks.

On the following possession, he hit a corner three that put the Ducks up 50-42 — a lead they held onto as they defeated Villanova 74-67, on Nov. 27, 2022.

While it was his only made three of the night, it came at a pivotal juncture. And it was Soares presence on the glass — he had eight rebounds, five of them coming on the offensive side — that gave the shorthanded Ducks the edge, that night.

It’s plays like these — and an injury bug, of course — that make it tough to take Soares off the court, despite him shooting 35% from the field and 25% from deep, halfway through the season.

So when he’s asked about what his position is now, or what role he fits into on this iteration of the Oregon men’s basketball team, it’s tough for him to point out just one.

“I consider myself a jack-of-all-trades,” Soares said. “I feel like I’m just a guy that you need to have on the floor.”

Rivaldo Soares looks to receive a pass in transition. The Oregon Ducks face the Montana State Bobcats on November 15th, 2022, at Matthew Knight Arena. (Liam Sherry, Emerald)

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SPORTS

RUTH: END OF SEASON SUPERLATIVES ACROSS COLLEGE FOOTBALL

BY BRADY RUTH • TWITTER @BRADYRUTH10

As the 2022 college football regular season concludes, it seems fitting to hand out some superlatives. I’ve looked at each of the Power 5 conferences and found at least one team to fill each of my six superlatives.

The juggernaut: This one is extremely straight forward. Which team was supposed to dominate its conference and did so?

The doormat: Which team was supposed to be walked over and fittingly was?

The overachiever: Who surpassed expectations in 2022?

The underachiever: Who dropped duds this season? Spoiler: my ACC choice should bring Duck fans a chuckle.

The season wrecker: Each conference possessed a team that ruined another’s with an upset win. Who?

The forgotten: Who slid under the radar and was completely irrelevant and lacked attention this season?

Let’s start local. Here are your Pac-12 superlatives.

PACIFIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Juggernaut: Utah (10-3, 7-2 Pac-12)

This award should easily go to Washington. The Huskies finished with six wins in a row and had one the most explosive offenses in college football. But I just can’t give them this title if they didn’t at least compete in the Pac-12 Championship Game. For that reason –– and that reason alone –– it’s Utah. All of the Utes losses came on the road against solid teams, and they simply dominated the USC defense… twice.

Doormat: Colorado (1-11, 1-8 Pac-12)

The Buffaloes finished with a point differential of -349. Yikes. Perhaps only Deion Sanders can save football in Boulder.

Overachiever: Oregon State (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12)

The Beavers had been slowly getting better over recent years, but a 9-3 season record was much better than many expected from OSU in 2022. It pains me, but I have to hand it to the Beavers.

Underachiever: UCLA (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12)

It was Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s fifth season. The Bruins had one of the best running backs in the conference with Zach Charbonnet. Despite a 9-3 record overall, finishing sixth in the conference just screams disappointment.

Season Wrecker: Arizona State (3-9, 2-7 Pac-12)

The Sun Devils didn’t matter at all in 2022 except for their 45-38 win over Washington. The Huskies would have made the Pac-12 championship without this loss. ASU didn’t do much to help its own season, but boy did it screw up Washington’s.

Forgotten: California (4-8, 2-7 Pac-12)

Cal was far from the worst team in the conference. But it lacked any big wins or notable moments. The Bears lost five one possession games, and it was the most irrelevant season the Pac-12 offered in 2022.

BIG 12 CONFERENCE:

The Big 12 may have been the most surprising conference in college football. Kansas didn’t suck, but Oklahoma did. The two purple teams competed for the conference championship. Madness.

Juggernaut: Texas Christian University (12-1, 9-0 Big 12)

How about those Frogs? TCU seemingly walked through five ranked opponents and is in the CFP for the first time in its history. A loss in overtime to No. 10 Kansas State shouldn’t diminish the great season the Horned Frogs had.

Oregon players hoist the Holiday Bowl trophy on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 at Petco Park in San Diego. Oregon completed a comeback victory to defeat North Carolina, 28-27. (Jonathan Suni/Emerald)

Doormat: Iowa State (4-8, 1-8 Big 12)

At least the Cyclones can celebrate a week 2 win over Iowa. There was nothing else to be remotely excited about for Iowa State this season.

Overachiever: Kansas State (10-3, 7-2 Big 12)

Yes, this could have also been TCU, but I already used them. The Wildcats had an outstanding season going 3-2 against ranked teams and winning the Big 12 for the first time since 2012 and finishing the season as the No. 9 ranked team in the country.

Underachiever: Oklahoma (6-6, 3-6 Big 12)

After losing head coach Lincoln Riley and quarterback Caleb Williams, among other transfers, the Sooners finished a season without a winning record for the first time since 1998. Oof.

Season Wrecker: Texas Tech (7-5, 5-4 Big 12)

The Red Raiders beat both Texas and Oklahoma in the same season for the first time ever. (Cowboy) hats off to the Raiders.

Forgotten: West Virginia (5-7, 3-6 Big 12)

If I didn’t constantly see West Virginia posting its uniform combos on Instagram, I may have completely forgotten it even had a team.

SOUTH EASTERN CONFERENCE:

The SEC was surprising, too. It was difficult to figure out just what the Florida Gators were, Alabama lost two games by a combined four points and the conference had 11 of its 14 teams crack the AP Top 25 at some point throughout the season.

Juggernaut: Georgia (13-0, 8-0 SEC)

It turned out that the 49-3 win over Oregon was just the tip of the iceberg for the Bulldogs. Unreal. They head into the CFP as the favorite to take home the championship trophy.

Doormat: Vanderbilt (5-7, 2-6 SEC)

Texas A&M and Auburn had the same record as the Commodores in 2022. But Vanderbilt scored the fewest points and allowed the most points across the entire conference this season. But hey, congrats on getting your first SEC win since 2019.

Overachiever: Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC)

Sports Illustrated had the Volunteers projected to finish eighth in the SEC in 2022. Instead, they won the game of the year over Alabama and hosted College Gameday twice.

Underachiever: Texas A&M (5-7, 2-6 SEC)

The Aggies had the No. 4 ranked recruit class in 2022. They lost to Appalachian State, Mississippi State, Alabama, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Florida and Auburn. LOL.

Season Wrecker: LSU (9-4, 6-2 SEC)

I think we can all agree that Alabama makes the SEC Championship and the CFP if they don’t lose to LSU. Additionally, the Tigers ruined their own season by losing to Texas A&M.

Forgotten: Missouri (6-6, 3-5 SEC)

The Tigers season wasn’t a complete disaster, but it was certainly nothing to write home about. Kind of like Columbia, Missouri.

The Big Ten was a bit of a mess. The conference beat itself more than many expected, but 10 teams finished bowl eligible because of it. The West division was competitive as each team in it lost at least four games. The Big Ten also had the most watched regular season game in 2022 when Michigan defeated Ohio State 45-23.

Juggernaut: Michigan (13-0, 9-0 Big Ten)

As much as I believe that Ohio State wins a five game series against Michigan, the Wolverines were the lone unbeaten team in the conference, defeated the Buckeyes and were a shoe-in for the CFP.

Doormat: Northwestern (1-11, 1-8 Big Ten)

The Wildcats won their first game of the season over Nebraska in Dublin, Ireland. After returning to the U.S. they didn’t win a single game. Northwestern scored the least points of any team in the conference and had its worst season since 1989.

Overachieving: Illinois (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten)

Who had the Illini winning eight games, beating Wisconsin and Minnesota or being in the running for the Big Ten West? Not many. Bret Bielema might be one of the most surprising coaches of the year.

Underachieving: Michigan State (5-7, 3-6 Big Ten)

The Spartans started the season ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 and were projected as the third best team in the conference by Sports Illustrated. Instead, they scored the fifth fewest points in the conference in 2022.

Season Wrecker: Purdue (8-5, 6-3 Big Ten)

Honestly, just about any team from the Big Ten West could fill this role. As I mentioned earlier, no team in this division had fewer than four losses, and at least three of them came within the conference. But Purdue beat out Illinois and Minnesota –– both of whom were ranked at the time –– and earned the right to be the mediocre team that got to be slaughtered by Michigan in the conference title game.

Forgettable: Maryland (7-5, 4-5 Big Ten)

Maryland football is just forgettable in general. It’s geographically bizarre that they’re in the same conference as Nebraska and Iowa. It’ll be even weirder when USC and UCLA join the Big Ten, and the conference stretches coast to coast.

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE

To me the ACC was the most underwhelming conference in football this season. It felt like a heavily favored ACC team was losing every other week. Additionally, only eight of the 14 teams are going bowling at the end of the season –– the lowest percentage in any Power 5 conference ––so there’s that.

Juggernaut: Clemson (11-2, 8-0 ACC)

Clemson cruised to another ACC championship. Yes, the Tigers lost two games, but Dabo Swinney’s team was unbeaten in conference play yet again.

Doormat: Virginia Tech (3-8, 1-6 ACC)

The Hokies simply had a bad year. A collapse against Old Dominion in week 1 set the tone for the season. Virginia Tech never recovered. The Hokies hadn’t won three or fewer games since 1992.

Overachiever: Duke (8-4, 5-3 ACC)

Mike Elko took the Blue Devils from 3-9 to 8-4 in his first year. Impressive.

Underachiever: Miami (5-7, 3-5 ACC)

Oh, how sweet it is for Oregon fans to see Mario Cristobal struggle. The Hurricanes started the season ranked No. 16 but then lost to Duke and Middle Tennessee State at home. Brutal.

Season Wrecker: Louisville (7-5, 4-4 ACC)

I think a lot of people would be taking Wake Forest and NC State more seriously had they not lost to Louisville.

Forgotten: Georgia Tech (5-7, 4-4 ACC)

The Yellow Jackets are the little brother of their own state and their conference. They embody irrelevance like no other.

Dontae Manning yells as he holds the Holiday Bowl trophy on stage with his teammates. The Oregon Ducks face the North Carolina Tar Heels in the annual Holiday Bowl at Petco Park in San Diego, CA, on December 28th, 2022. (Jonathan Suni, Emerald)