Oregon Ducks: Icemans 2009 Predictions

What a season 2008 was. The critics predicted a down year, and most of the duck nation was skeptical losing Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart in the same year.  Those two guys were unstoppable, but Jeremiah Masoli and Jeremiah Johnson filled in nicely.  A Holiday Bowl win was huge, it proved that the Big 12 isn't bulletproof.  All though the Ducks lose a great senior class, 2009 should be a great year for the green and yellow.

1. First stop, Boise State; these guys beat the Ducks last year at Autzen Stadium last year.  But they lose a very good running back in Ian Johnson, he will be hard to replace.  The Ducks lost Johnson, but LeGarrette Blount is back, and ready to put linebackers on their asses.  Masoil returns, and hopefully will enter 2009 as a great passer and runner.    

Masoil has great running ability, but his arm needs to be dialed in some more this spring.  If he can improve his accuracy, he will be deadly next year.  Its gonna be a close game, but I am betting Oregon will be pissed off and want to start Boise's year off with a loss.  Oregon wins a shootout, 42-38.

2. Next up is Purdue, a Big Ten team that the Ducks beat last year on the road.  With Oregon's QB set, this should be a easy home win.  I could see Blount rushing for 200+ yards, and Masoli passing for 300 plus.   Oregon wins 49-21.  

3.  Utah will be one of the best teams Oregon will play next year, and if the play like they did in the Sugar Bowl, I don't know if Oregon can hang with them.  If Oregon can run the ball at will, they have a great chance at pulling the upset.  But Utah is a great team, and I have to give them the win.  Utah wins 38-31.  

4. To start off PAC-10 play, Oregon gets California at home.  The Golden Bears have beat the Ducks the last two years, but I think that will change this year.  With good QB play and Blount running over people the Ducks should get a well deserved home win. Ducks get 300 plus rushing yards to a 35-21 win.  

5.  The state of Washington was terrible last year, the rest of the country was judging the PAC-10 on this state alone.  Oregon gets another big home win, 56-14.  I would bet Blount breaks some records this day, 300 plus rushing yards.  

6.  Next is the UCLA Bruins, who gave hints of being good last year, but disappointed. If they can get great QB play, they could be good next year.  They also get the Ducks in California, but it won't matter, Oregon wins it 45- 21.  

7.  The Huskies get the Ducks at home this year.  After embarrassing the Huskies last year, the dogs will be looking for revenge, but will not find it.  I'm not going to bother checking, but i don't think they won a game last year.  With a new coach, they should be better this year, but not good enough.  Oregon wins it 49-14.  

8.   USC is all that stands between Oregon and a visit to the Rose Bowl, the Ducks will be looking for the upset.  The last time Oregon played USC at Autzen stadium they won. With Mark Sanchez leaving for the NFL, and most of the defense getting drafted in the first round, Oregon wins a close one 28-24.  

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