After the Oregon Ducks’ 34-31 loss to the Washington Huskies in the Pac-12 conference championship game doomed their chances of a College Football Playoff appearance, Oregon senior quarterback Bo Nix faced an expected question. That would be if he would choose to play in the Ducks’ bowl game (whatever that winds up being), or follow the path many top prospects have taken and sit out a non-playoff game to prepare for the NFL Draft. But Nix responded by saying he has “no idea’:
"I have no idea."- Bo Nix on if he'll play in the bowl game.
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) December 2, 2023
Here’s that full comment, via Vic Tafur of The Athletic:
“That was my goal my entire life, to be a college quarterback and to win a national championship. And I didn’t prepare for losing this game and that’s why I am in shock that it’s over.
“As crazy as it sounds, I am going to enjoy my teammates and this plane ride home.”
But that doesn’t mean he wants to talk about whether he will play in the upcoming bowl game or get ready for the NFL Draft instead.
“I knew somebody was going to ask this,” Nix said, smiling. “Can’t we just enjoy the moment right now, enjoy our season? That’s not today, that decision. I have no idea. I am just trying to get over this loss.”
Nix may or may not truly have “no idea” at this point, and even if he was leaning one way or another, decisions can certainly change. And the Ducks don’t even know what bowl they’re headed to yet (CBS’ Jerry Palm projects them for the Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide, presuming Alabama loses Saturday’s SEC Championship Game to the Georgia Bulldogs), and it makes sense that Nix wouldn’t want to focus on what’s next after such a tough loss. But for those looking to read the tea leaves, Nix gave what sure seemed like a farewell speech to college football here:
Bo Nix ended his presser with a monologue about his career.
"I'm gonna miss college football. It was my goal my entire life to be a college QB and to win a national championship… Just a lot of emotions. A lot going on that man you wish you could change… I'm going to be okay.… pic.twitter.com/wVgUxu5sxX
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) December 2, 2023
Nix started his college career with the Auburn Tigers, playing there from 2019-21. He transferred to Oregon ahead of last season and put up two great years for the Ducks, and was a Heisman Trophy betting favorite this season until after Friday’s game (that line has now shifted to LSU’s Jayden Daniels, but Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., who had a great game of his own against Oregon, is also in the mix). Nix has played in 60 college football games overall; we’ll have to wait and see if he makes it 61.
