College Football Predictions 2011: Oregon Ducks Will Not Return to Title Game

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The Oregon Ducks Will Not Return to the 2011 College Football Title Game

The Oregon Ducks were a very dominant team in 2010, which is the reason the made it to the title game and gave the Auburn a good battle. However, with a tougher schedule in 2011 I don't see the Ducks making it back to the National Championship game.

Oregon is set to face the LSU Tigers in week one in the Dallas Cowboy's Stadium. They also find themselves in the tough North division of the Pac-12. No longer will they just need to win in the regular season to become conference champs. The Ducks must win in the regular season plus win the first ever Pac-12 championship game.

Oregon assistant coach John Neal told the Register Guard that with no new coaches the Ducks are in a better place in years past. Neal states that he and others want to coach at Oregon forever like a few of those who already have been.

There’s a group of us that want to die here. We want to be here forever. And we want to be here with Chip. That’s the goal.

MUST READ: Top 25 Games To Watch in 2011

The Ducks may have a strong coaching system in place and two big time stars returning, but they won't be getting back to the biggest game in all of college football. In fact, I don't even think they'll be Pac-12 champs this year.

The November 12th showdown with the Stanford Cardinal will go Andrew Luck's way. The Ducks must replace three starting offensive lineman plus their top two receivers. They do get highly recruited DeAnthony Thomas, but I'm not sure he'll be a huge factor throughout the season.

Oregon will be good, but not quite like 2010. We'll see what this team is capable of in week one.

Most recent updates:

Flag

Props (0)