Are Oregon Ducks' Non-Conference Opponents Cupcakes Or Tres Leches?

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Earlier this evening, College Football laid in wait, hiding behind a bush lining the paved walkway leading to my front door.

It jumped out from behind the bush and startled the ba-jesus out of me. Then it hit me. We are only two months away from the start of the 2009-10 College Football Season.

I tell ya, it is very hard to believe how fast the time goes.

With the season quickly approaching, it comes time to analyze each team's current roster, coaching staff, and schedule (conference and non-conference) in order to predict how each squad could fare this upcoming season.

The Oregon Ducks have had a reputation for playing a mediocre non-conference schedule. There have been seasons when the Ducks have played host to below-average teams such as the Fresno State Bulldogs, Nevada Wolfpack, and the Utah State Aggies of the Western Athletic Conference.

On other occasions, the Ducks have either hosted or been hosted by some very presitgious programs. The Ducks have faced the Michigan Wolverines, Purdue Boilermakers, and the Wisconsin Badgers of the Big Ten Conference, as well as teams such as the Oklahoma Sooners of the Big Twelve Conference.

This season, the Oregon Ducks non-conference schedule seems to be a relatively solid one. The Ducks will travel to Boise this September to face off against the Boise State Broncos in their first game of the college football season.

The Ducks will also play host to the Utah Utes and the Purdue Boilermakers.

Let's look at each matchup, dissecting it down to the bone in order to glean a good sense of what might happen.

The Ducks and Broncos faced each other last season at Autzen Stadium. In a game where starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was forced to leave the game after taking a blatantly late hit from a Boise State defender, Oregon fell behind quickly and all seemed lost.

Then, then head coach Mike Bellotti decided to take out Chris Harper, a scrambling quarterback, and sub-in Darron Thomas, a dual-threat quarterback.

In a performance that went down as one of the greatest in Oregon Ducks Football history, Darron Thomas threw for 210 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in a single quarter.

Thomas' amazing performance would prove to not be enough, as the Ducks were ousted by the Broncos 37-32.

What will it take for the Ducks to pull out a victory on the smurf-turf?

First off, the Broncos will be treated to a much improved Oregon Ducks football team from the last time the two teams met.

When the Broncos strolled into Autzen Stadium last season, they met an Oregon Ducks team with an unproven starting quarterback in Jeremiah Masoli.

Also, the cheap hit that took Masoli out of the game, and replaced him with Chris Harper, bought the Broncos just enough time to squeak past the Ducks before Mike Bellotti woke up, smelled the coffee, and put Thomas in the game.

If the Broncos do not know what Masoli is capable of, have them ask Mike Riley or Mike Gundy and they will find their answer.

It is clear that Oregon is favored in this game.

The Ducks have a proven, dangerous dual-threat quarterback in Jeremiah Masoli.

The Ducks have a beastly, 1000 yard running back in LeGarrette Blount.

The Ducks have an offensive line that is one of the deepest in the country. When one player leaves, another is right there to plug the hole.

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