As I head down for the Holiday Bowl I firmly believe all eyes should be on Quarterback Dennis DIxon. So much is riding on this game for him.

If he goes out and puts on a masterful performance against Oklahoma, in the back of their minds, Duck fans will be thinking BCS next year and a run for the Heisman for Dixon.

However, if Dixon looks confused and tentative then he comes into next season with a big question mark on his jersey.

I know he's had a couple nice games filling in for Kellen Clemens. I know he will have an entire fall camp under his belt when he comes back next year. But confidence is a really big deal. Especially when you're 20 years old. That's why a big game against Oklahoma is exactly what Dixon and Oregon Duck fans need as they anxiosuly await 2006.

Oh by the way. Think about this. The Ducks open the season against Stanford. But then it's a road game at Fresno State and then back home against Oklahoma.

You can't have a question mark at quarterback when you start the season against two top 25 teams.

We'll see you from San Diego.

Ron Pivo
RPivo@kgw.com