Oregon Football: The Top 8 Storylines for the 2011 Season

Another month has come and almost passed and April is right around the corner.

On the sports calendar, that means the NFL draft is on its way.

It also means college football programs around the nation will begin spring practices and cap off the period with their annual spring games.     

Schools across the nation start to look toward the next season, hoping this could be the year.

Out in Eugene, it means a time for the Ducks to focus on the 2011 season and leave the national championship game in their rear view mirror.     

With the 2011 season approaching rapidly, Oregon has all the pieces to make another serious run at the title game.

They have a great amount of young talent on defense and return an all-star lineup in their offensive backfield.

As the new season draws closer, these are the storylines people will be talking about in 2011. 

The Maehlman Is Now Delivering on Sundays

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Jeff Maehl #23 of the Oregon Ducks catches a two-point conversion to tie the game late in the fourth quarter against Zac Etheridge #4 of the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoe

A major part of last year's success was the chemistry Darron Thomas and Jeff Maehl had.

If there ever was a time the Ducks needed a big first down or a play, Thomas seemed to find a way to get the ball in his hands.      

This year, Maehl has graduated and moved on to the NFL, and Thomas will have to find a new go-to man.

When facing a third down or a big-play situation, look for Thomas to send the ball Lavasier Tuinei's way.

Darron Thomas Was Only a Sophomore Last Year

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks looks on against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

After leading the Oregon offense to incredible numbers last year, Darron Thomas grabbed a hold of the nation's attention and never let go.

Once the season was over, the leadership and skill that Thomas provided caused many to believe that Oregon will be back in the national title game next year.     

What many lose sight of from last year was that Thomas was a redshirt sophomore and will only get better in Coach Kelly's offense.

As Thomas gets more time and attention in this offense, he could have an even more impressive year in 2011.

LaMichael James Running After the Heisman

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs down field against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald M

Last year, LaMichael James led the nation in rushing. Since getting on the field back in 2009, James has been running away from Pac-10 defenders.

This year, the spotlight will continue to stay on James, as the Ducks are thin at wide receiver and will need even more production out of him this year.      

Expectations will remain high coming into 2011 and should, considering James led the nation in rushing while missing the season opener, a game Oregon won 72-0.     

James has the talent and ability to carry the load. But the question will be how much Coach Kelly will lean on him while having Kenjon Barner and Lache Seastrunk ready to help carry the load.

Replacing the Leadership of Casey Matthews

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks looks on against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Get

Without a doubt, the heart and soul of last year's defense was middle linebacker Casey Matthews.

Matthews was a sideline to sideline playmaker that had an outstanding 2010 season.      

With Matthews now off to the NFL, the Ducks will need a player to step up and lead the defense, much like at the receiver position.

They hope to see players like Michael Clay, Kiko Alonso and Josh Kaddu make serious strides.  

Oregon Playing in the Newly Formatted Pac-12

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 6: Mascot 'Puddles' of the Oregon Ducks does some push ups after the Ducks scoured in the fourth quarter of the game between the Washington Huskies and the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Duc

In 2011, the Pac-10 will expand to the Pac-12 for the first time.

In this new format, the conference has been split up into two divisions and teams will no longer face conference opponents.     

This year, Oregon will get a look at Pac-12 newcomer, Colorado, when they head on the road midseason.

The new format has allowed the Pac-12 to create a conference championship game that will help level the playing field against other conferences that were getting a late-game push to improve their BCS standing.

Late-Season Showdown at Stanford

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks looks to pass the ball as safety Delano Howard #26 of Stanford applies pressure in the first quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Ste

On November 12th, the Ducks head on the road to face one of their biggest tests of the year.

That Saturday, the Ducks will take on Andrew Luck and Stanford for likely a trip to the Pac-12 championship.    

Comimg into the 2011 season, many expect that Oregon and Stanford will be the two best teams in the Pac-12. They also happen to be in the same division.

This game could not only act as a Pac-12 elimination game but could have implications on the BCS title game, as both schools finished the year 12-1 in 2010.

Can Chip Kelly Continue to Dominate the Pac?

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks looks on during their 22-19 loss to the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Pho

Since taking over the head job at Oregon, Coach Chip Kelly has gone 17-1 in conference games, with his only loss coming to Stanford in 2009.

Over the past two years, Kelly has been able to go undefeated against in-state rival Oregon State. He has also turned in back-to-back dominating performances over USC.     

Fans will expect him to lead them to the first Pac-12 championship, a game that could be held at Autzen Stadium.

In 2011, Kelly will look to not only maintain his current success but earn his first victory on the road against Stanford.

Can Off-the-Field Issues Stay Off the Field?

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks looks on as his team warms up before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Autzen Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 48-29. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Ge

When the 2010 season began, the Oregon program had just finished  dealing with off-the-field issues and were just happy to turn its attention to the actual games.

In 2011, they may look for that same formula.    

Shortly after the national championship and National Signing Day, reports came out that Oregon paid $25,000 for a recruiting service. The problem with the service was the ties the individual had to recruits that ended up at Oregon.     

Regardless of the lack of facts on any wrongdoing, this story will linger for months to come.

Coach Kelly faced adversity last offseason and led the Ducks to the national title game. Can he do the same in 2011?