Preseason Top 10 Countdown

Preseason Top 10 Countdown

  Finally, we have reached the Top 5. Landing at 5 are the Oregon Ducks.

Coming off a 12-2 season, the Ducks look to try to get back to the National Title game. To do that, they will have to replace some key players on offense,( Darron Thomas and LaMichael James combined for 347 carries last season) and they will have to get through USC. The rest of their schedule looks manageable.

  Chip Kelly is heading into his fourth season as head coach. The players have bought into his system and new recruits are familiar and comfortable with him. After all, Kelly was there as the offensive coordinator for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. So it wasn't as much of a transition as some programs have to go through. And that may be why he has had so much early success with a 34-6 record as head coach. It wasn't always easy. There were times when he had to make very difficult decisions. Letting rising star Masoli go due to multiple team policy violations wasn't easy. Some coaches would have given Masoli another shot if they thought it would give them a shot at a BCS Title game. Legarrette Blount is another example. Now what Blount did was far worse and deserved every bit of what he received, it still was tough for Kelly to keep having this happen when he knew in the back of his mind that these players might have been the missing piece to a title game. Woulda coulda shoulda. I remind people of these situations because this year Chip Kelly is having to replace some key players just like he has before, but under different circumstances. That might just be the key to their success this season. Replacing guys because they entered the NFL draft or graduated is far different from replacing guys for reasons that involve kicking players off the team. Not having to rush guys into positions a year or two early makes a difference.

 I watched the Oregon spring game and saw some good things. It looks as though, the Ducks may have a better passer this year in Bryan Bennett. He is looking like the favorite going into the fall as the starting QB. It also helps that he has seen live game action and has the experience. In recent years Oregon fans saw a whole bunch of QB rushing plays. Not to take anything away from Darron Thomas, but his arm wasn't the best. He made some good throws, but the Ducks needed a little more consistent passing game. And that's where I think the Ducks may catch some teams off guard this year. This season the Ducks will have a better passing attack. Bryan Bennett as the arm strength and the accuracy to be a great threat to opposing teams' secondary. He proved he can be a great passer, going for 25-46 passing and throwing 6 TDs with 0 INTs in 2011.  The lone question I have for him, is he going to be able to run the ball just enough to keep the other team off balance? He won't be the runner that Darron Thomas was, but just having the ability to make some plays with his feet will be very important for the Ducks' offense. At runningback, LaMichael James is gone. Chip Kelly has an answer for that in Kenjon Barner and DeAnthony Thomas. Both are dangerous when they touch the ball. DeAnthony Thomas played both RB and WR, and the speed option and speed sweep that Kelly likes to run with Thomas was very effective. DeAnthony Thomas had 55 carries for 595 yds and 7 TDs. Averaging 10+ yards a carry is something you can't ignore. If he doesn't beat you running the ball, watch him get out in space to catch passes. Whether it was a screen pass or a route downfield, Thomas cought 46 passes for 605 yards and 9 TD's. He is truly a dual threat player on offense. Oh, and he was a freshman last year. Kenjon Barner will be a senior this year. He has the experience to be a good leader for the Ducks on offense. In 2011 he rushed 152 times for 939 yards and 11 TDs. Not bad for a guy who was backing up LaMichael James. He also cought passes and averaged more than 10 yards a catch. As long as Bryan Bennett can get these guys the ball, which he will, the Ducks' offense will do well.

  The Defense loses some players. Again, for the right reasons. Chip Kelly will need to replace some guys on the defensive line. Brandon Hanna and Terrel Turner aren't there to anchor the defensive line anymore. The secondary will be fairly young in 2012 as well. You will see lots of sophomores and juniors playing in the secondary. Most, if not all, saw playing time last season. Up front is where the defense will need the most help, in my oppinion. I think the experience of the secondary will be a strong point for them this year. Again, if they want to get back to the National Title game, they have to be better at pass rushing and stopping the run. USC will be a challenge for the entire defense. They will pound them until they can't see straight and then catch them off guard with play-action.

WHAT TO EXPECT. Oregon will be in the Title hunt through at least November 2nd. November 3rd will be the game that could possibly make or break the season for the Ducks. USC is looking very strong and this will be their first year back from post-season ban. USC will be hungry. I don't think Oregon can get passed this game without a loss. Then, don't forget, they have to gather themselves and play these final 3 games: @California, Stanford, @Oregon State. Not an easy task having just played @ USC. November will clearly be a big month for Oregon. Chip Kelly has had great success early in his career, going to the Rose Bowl 2 times and playing for a Nation Championship once. This year will be the toughest for the Ducks to get back to either of those bowl games. Let's see if they can rise to the challenge.

 At #4 in my Preseason Top 10 Countdown, Oklahoma. They are going to win one SOONER or later.




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