History: "What’s even more remarkable about the 1918 flu, say infectious disease experts, is that it never really went away. After infecting an estimated 500 million people worldwide in 1918 and 1919 (a third of the global population), the H1N1 strain that caused the Spanish flu receded into the background and stuck around as the regular seasonal flu.

"But every so often, direct descendants of the 1918 flu combined with bird flu or swine flu to create powerful new pandemic strains, which is exactly what happened in 1957, 1968 and 2009. Those later flu outbreaks, all created in part by the 1918 virus, claimed millions of additional lives, earning the 1918 flu the odious title of “the mother of all pandemics.” ...

"...Since the whole world had been exposed to the virus, and had therefore developed natural immunity against it, the 1918 strain began to mutate and evolve in a process called “antigenic drift.” Slightly altered versions of the 1918 flu reemerged in the winters of 1919-1920 and 1920-1921, but they were far less deadly and nearly indistinguishable from the seasonal flu.

“The 1918 flu definitely lost its real virulence by the early 1920s,” says Taubenberger."

https://www.history.com/news/1918-flu-pandemic-never-ended

Martin S.J.@Martin_S_J_ Dec 19

"And not least: case-mortality thus far seem to be ~90% lower than previous waves"

https://twitter.com/Martin_S_J_/status/1472574795929772041?s=20

(((Howard Forman)))@thehowie Dec 19
"Cases in South Africa ~120% of Delta wave peak.

Hospitalizations ~ 45% (may still drift toward 50%) of Delta wave peak.

ICU is 22% of Delta peak (could get to 25+%)

Ventilator use 16% (could get to 20+%)

Not offering an explanation: just saying the outbreak is milder."
***********

So we have a far milder virus that builds immunity? With an RO of 7-10, some claim there is little chance to stop it. Israel says natural immunity up to 27 times stronger than the jab. The jab is short lived, and some claim the new RNA vaccine reduces natural immunity.

And we give Americans NO TREATMENT if they catch it. Welcome to the Big Pharma Industrial Complex. Poor nation's don't have our resources and had to use cheap, harmless therapeutics and drugs - in combination, and early.

No knock on Cody, but he played for Dan in college, worked with him in Europe, and now here. Veteran coaches often see 3, 4, 5 different programs, coaches, schemes, etc.

Sure, we need more weapons to advance inside the playoffs.

Maybe majors and Colleges play a role. I had a friend who was surprised a 2 unit class at Davis was 4 units at UCLA.

One writer in Boise said Plough was on the hot seat as they went 7-5. Cody's experience is primarily with Dan? I got tired of the sometimes predictable 1st and 2nd down Gilliam up the middle - Hawk was supposed to be against "see ball, get ball". It doesn't matter if you shift guys and have a fake sweep, if they know 90% of the time it's a give to UG.

I believe last year there were over 2200 players entered the transfer portal, and more are expected this year. Let's say it's 2600, if we consider roughly 260 FBS & FCS programs, that's 10 players per team.

It's obviously a longshot that we land a former 4 star recruit. But 3 star recruits are conceivable, and the success of TE Castles and LB Smalley are an example.

UCLA & Berkeley seem prime possibilities if they're student-athletes with a desire to play. UCLA had a ton enter the portal, including a young 6'3" WR and linemen on both sides.

I think the NDSU mindset and culture is so strong, they don't care.

"Mellott finished the game with 155 yards rushing and two scores and a career-best 233 yards passing and two other touchdowns. On the day, the freshman from Butte completed 10 of 15 passes."

There's always the chance Gilliam could return.

One article in Boise claimed Tim Plough on the hot seat after a 7-5 season.

They have a top RB, 5'9", 205, in the portal w 2 years remaining and over 7 ypc.

Does this mean Whelan might be coming back for one more year?

They have to recruit 4-5 states, their populations are so small. We have size on our D line.

"technically"?

The biggies were full scholarships, DI, and a new stadium. We have all of those now.

Then we upgraded staff salaries, support, and another biggie coming - the Athletic Performance Center.

Jordan Perryman UW article.

https://247sports.com/college/washington/Article/Washington-Huskies-football-recruiting-Transfer-DB-Jordan-Perryman-Talks-About-His-Commitment-To-Washington--178635379/

Last Word on Sports claimed UCLA was also after Perryman. They add:

"Shopping In The Portal

"So it is to the transfer portal [UCLA Coach] Kelly goes. And here is where the numbers require an advanced math degree. The NCAA allows for 25 players to be signed in a class. And in a one-off rule, teams can add up to seven more players to account for transfers and super seniors leaving. That makes for a potential class of 32. However, the Covid expansion of rosters is now over. Last year, teams were allowed to carry 100 scholarship players, and 115 total. Now they must return to the normal 85 and 100. So in the conundrum that is the NCAA, you can expand your signing class while reducing your roster size."

Sounds like a lot of FBS players may be looking for a home.

https://lastwordonsports.com/collegefootball/2021/12/16/uclas-roster-management-is-complicated/

I inadvertently missed Cloyd.

Smalley*
Castles*
Woods*
Albright*
Lamson*
Hansen*
Scharetg*
Martz
Gomez*
White
HR*
Moreno
Rudd
Olivier
Povey
Wilson
Cloyd*

[Edit] I count at least 10 having an impact, more than I thought. Coach Tucker brought some key players from his JC year #1. At least five were big contributors.

Folks, our coaches aren't gonna telegraph their recruiting intentions to our opponents. Just stating the obvious. We also didn't put a lot of high school offers out.