College Football 2008: Oregon Ducks Preview

The Oregon Ducks football team went through a roller coaster season in '07, elevating as high as No. 2 in the national rankings before a bevy of injuries (the backbreaker being Dennis Dixon’s ACL tear) contributed to three straight losses.

That stretch included a heart breaking overtime loss to arch-rival Oregon State, the first time the Beavers won in Eugene since 1993.

Yet, after some rest and regrouping the Ducks showed their prowess when a surprisingly effective freshman QB, Justin Roper and healthy star running back Jonathon Stewart led the way to a 56-21 shellacking of the favored South Florida Bulls in the Sun Bowl.

Mike Bellotti and his staff went on to land a solid recruiting class (which would rise meteorically in the rankings if Terrelle Pryor can somehow be coaxed away from Big Ten country), which begs the question, what can college football expect from the Ducks in 2008?   

There are gaping holes to fill on offense, but the cupboard is not bare talent wise, though it is lacking experience in some areas.

Dixon’s graduation with fellow senior Brady Leaf leaves the unsettling dilemma of naming a new starting quarterback. Redshirt sophomore Nate Costa was actually ahead of Roper on the depth chart before tearing his ACL (sound familiar?) in practice last season, and the two will likely compete throughout the off-season for the job.

Two four-star recruits, however, muddy the picture. Darron Thomas has a similar look and playing style to Dixon, who despite his early struggles would almost undoubtedly have been a Heisman Trophy finalist had he avoided injury last season.

Chris Harper is listed as an athlete, but was brought in to compete for time in the backfield and has said he firmly intends to play quarterback. Roper is the only known commodity as a starter, but betting men are saying that Costa will most likely be making the reads against Washington to open the season.

If Thomas and Harper both impress in camp, it is possible that the '07 Sun Bowl star could find himself as far down as fourth on Oregon’s depth chart. Should Pryor decide to don the green and yellow, the convoluted situation will become completely unpredictable.

Recruiting experts do not believe the Ducks will have to face this dilemma though.

Jonathan Stewart’s early departure for the NFL leaves a gaping void at tailback, but “backup” Jeremiah Johnson has the quickness, speed, and cutting ability (not to mention a crowd pleasing stiff arm) to be a 1,000 rusher himself, assuming he gets his grades in order.

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