I have wanted to write this for a while now but struggled with how to pull it all together. And as I'm typing this now I doubt I've accomplished that. But sometimes my best writing is when I just start banging on keys and try to form somewhat competent sentences.

Let me start off by saying I'm not trying to insult the fanbase, administration or students. But it may come off that way in certain parts. I assure you that isn't the point I'm trying to make.

I have been a part of this fanbase as media for the last decade or so. As many of you know, I pretty much started out as a poster like many of you on several of the sites. I followed the big guys like AJ and Steve and Marty. Those guys have been doing it and doing it well for a long time.

I read and posted here and there but I followed. Recruiting got me hooked. I loved following it and the daily activity. Like many of you it's a rather innocent escape from reality and my daily grind. And it's a whole lot of fun.

But why would I follow recruiting about the Oregon Ducks?

I know it will shock many of you, but yes I was a fan. I wore Oregon Duck shirts and took my kids to games although they were small then. For a few years I had season tickets. Tickets I wish I had today still but really isn't possible for me to enjoy them with work. Which is fine.

But Jhop, why did you out yourself as a fan?

Because I don't care. I'm not a paper guy. I'm still the same Jhop that has been writing for the past ten years. Call me a homer or try and say I can't be objective.

Does it change what I've done the last 10 years? Or heck even the last 18 months with this site? Nope. It doesn't.

You can spot a homer without knowing they are a fan or not. Or perhaps they just don't want to be objective. There are plenty in this profession. I don't consider myself one of them but I know many folks outisde this market think of me as one. Which is fine. I could genuinely care less.

Now that's out of the way.

I've been to a lot of games at Autzen stadium in the last 20 years. I was there for some of the most memorable moments in its history. I was in Phoenix at the first ever national championship game in which Michael Dyer's arm was down as I saw it.

I remember Adrian Peterson and Oklahoma and one of the best games I've ever seen anywhere. What an atmosphere. I watched Oregon dismantle USC 47-20 on Halloween in 2009. In my mind that might have been the best game atmosphere of any game I've ever been to in Autzen stadium.

It was electric. Nobody was leaving early in that one.

In the years since it seems as though the 'Autzen experience' has declined. Most of the time I sit up in the press box now but I know many of you will agree with me.

And really it boils down to supply and demand at the root.

At the height of Oregon football under Chip Kelly we saw the changes. Prices and donations were upped and upped and upped. Essentially pricing out many of the folks who had supported this team when a single win season was something folks cheered for. Rain or shine, those supporters didn't miss a game. And if they did, they usually didn't sell their tickets, they gave them to another fan, friend or family member.

The point is those seats were filled with people that had a true passion for the game.

As those ticket costs went up, those people left. And were replaced with the people who could afford them. Those people had deeper pockets and likely viewed it as an expense or a write off. And I'm not hating on those individuals. Heck you can sling some of that extra cash this way if you need a write off, I'll start the ScoopDuck Addicts Group as a write off for you.

But that movement started the crack in the foundation that Oregon, rather Autzen has yet to recover from.

At the height of Oregon football you'd find tickets going for $500 a ticket or more. Now you can pick them up for $20 on Craigslist if you want them.

I do believe that miscalculation by Oregon brass has hurt the Autzen experience. I mean coaches hated coming to Autzen. I left many a game with a big headache not due to just drinking, but because I was yelling my head off and the place was loud for 3.5 hours and then everyone high-fived and hung out in the parking lot afterwards.

Autzen stadium had magic. It was really something. It wasn't the biggest stadium, but it was certainly one of the loudest.

Now you have fans sitting for an entire game, which there's nothing wrong with that. Students who show up late and leave early. And a lot of empty seats unless Washington or USC is in town.

Sure winning cures all. And it does. The university will have to piggy back on that success with their sales. And right now that is what Mario Cristobal needs to do. Not only for his job but for this season. But that's another topic for another time.

Point is I've been to many games. When it was cheap and when it was expensive. I've sat all over that stadium. Sideline, end zone, up high, down low. I've left early and spent a lot of time on that field after playing catch with my kids.

And that's what brings me to this: Mario Cristobal needs Autzen to be, well Autzen. He needs that magic in there. And I'm not pleading for people to show up or give up tickets.

I do see the university making some terrific changes in the ticket office. The 4-pack bundles are amazing for families. For just under $40 you can get a ticket, a hot dog and a soda and a RESERVED seat. As a family person, those are terrific bargains. Now sure, $150 is $150 but where else can you spend money like that and have as much fun as you will at Autzen on a Saturday afternoon? Especially in September and early October.

They've got mini-packs for games and other promotions that really cater to the FANS. Not just the folks with the deep pockets.

Beer at the games?!?! Yes please. I know it's $12 or whatever, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I will buy at least one.

They also have done a terrific job extending the tailgating hours and allowing RV's to stay overnight. I think that's progressive and safer and only adds to the Autzen experience. Because let's face it, half the fun is the game, the other half is the pre (& post) game.

I don't expect Bowling Green to be sold out or full. I also don't expect Portland State or San Jose State to be either. And I get it, they aren't huge games.

But this team and this university needs to make Autzen great again. There were moments last year that had glimpses of that greatness. It was loud for Nebraska. A few for Cal and some moments during Utah.

However Autzen used to be packed and loud. Nobody left early and people stood for entire games. It was your time to yell and scream and be a nut and nobody judged you for it. Heck, they high-fived you for it.

It's time to get that back. It starts with winning and hopefully with the adjustments made by the university we'll see some of that old Autzen glory again this season.

So go buy a ticket, get to the game and try to yell louder than the guy sitting next to you.

See you Saturday.