Oregon Ducks Football 2011 Schedule: Game-by-Game Breakdown
2010 was a historic year for the Oregon Ducks football team. It involved a Pac-10 championship, a BCS National Championship Game appearance and a innovative and explosive offensive performance.
Nevertheless, the Ducks came up just short of their ultimate goal, losing 22-19 to Auburn in the title game. That blur offense was slowed, and the Tigers had just a little bit more in the end.
But the Ducks plans haven't changed much in 2011. They return much of that explosive offense and boast some stars on defense as well. Oregon is once again at the forefront of the Pac-12 and near the forefront of the nation.
The Ducks have a tough schedule to navigate to win its third straight conference championship and to return to the national championship game. The play LSU to open the season in Arlington, Texas. They visit Stanford and host Southern Cal and rival Oregon State.
Here is a breakdown of every game on the Ducks schedule.
Sept. 3: Vs. LSU Tigers in Arlington, Texas
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Analysis: The college football gets off to a cracking start as two heavyweights slug it out in the Las Vegas of college football, Cowboy Stadium. Jerry Jones has been stacking up premier games for his football Taj Mahal.
The Tigers will have their defense ready to go. Seven starters return with several key contributors from last season filling the gaps. They'll have their hands full with Oregon's offense. The dual could very well pave the way for a national championship appearance for the winner.
The Difference Will Be: LSU's Jordan Jefferson. He looks spectacular when he's at his best. He also often looks like an athletic high school freshman. If Jefferson has figured things out this off-season, the Tiger offense might actually be able to compliment its defense.
Oregon will be breaking in some new defensive players. Shutting down Jefferson will be the difference. LSU will have time to prepare for the Ducks' offense, but it should still be effective.
Sept. 10: Nevada Wolfpack
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Analysis: Nevada will surely take a step back after losing quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running back Vai Taua. But the Wolfpack have been a strong program for some time.
Oregon will be coming off a big game and will be looking to get the home season underway.
The Difference Will Be: Whether or not Oregon is hungover after a big season-opener. The game in Arlington, Texas against LSU will be a matchup of top five teams that will draw plenty of preseason media obsession.
If the Ducks can survive the hype and turn around in time to not get caught napping, they should be fine. Being in Autzen Stadium won't hurt.
Sept. 24: At Arizona Wildcats
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Analysis: If the Ducks want to get their Pac-12 run off to a hot start, they'll have to go through Arizona straight away. Quarterback Nick Foles is one of the Pac-12's finest, and he'll be leading the Wildcats in another attempt to dismantle the conference.
The Wildcats do have to replace four pieces on the offensive line and a couple of key defensive players, namely defensive end Brooks Reed.
The Difference Will Be: Oregon not getting off to a slow start. The Ducks trailed 19-14 last season at home to the Wildcats, but burst out in the third quarter, as was their nature in 2010. But this game will be played in Tuscon.
Arizona put up 500 yards of offense last season even with Autzen Stadium bearing down on it. A combination of Foles back in the fold, friendly confines and a quick start could put the Wildcats in the driver's seat.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Oct. 6: California Golden Bears
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Analysis: The Bears gave Oregon its biggest conference scare last season, nearly nipping the Ducks. Oregon prevailed in Berkeley, Calif. 15-13 despite the Bears slowing down the Duck offense.
Cal has to replace quarterback Kevin Riley, running back Shane Vereen and defensive end Cameron Jordan.
The Difference Will Be: One of many things. Cal had its shot at Oregon last season. Barring mass injuries and/or suspensions the Ducks should coast. The Golden Bears weren't that great to begin with and will have to replace key parts.
Cal should focus on getting back to a bowl game by winning games other than the one scheduled against the Ducks.
Oct. 15: Arizona State Sun Devils
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Analysis: Arizona State is a very dangerous team heading in 2011. The Sun Devils ended 2010 with two consecutive wins, including a win over 23rd ranked Arizona. Arizona State also won four of its last seven including a four-point loss to No. 6 Stanford and a one-point loss at Southern Cal.
The Sun Devils return 11 starters on offense and nine starters on defense. This Dennis Erickson-led team could be for real. With Steven Threet leading the offense, the Sun Devils won't struggle to put up numbers.
The Difference Will Be: Arizona State getting three-and-outs on defense. Oregon's blur offense tires defenses. But a couple of a bad plays in succession can create a tough third down conversion for the Ducks. The Sun Devils must create the opportunities to get Oregon's offense off the field and capitalize.
Arizona State's offense should be competent enough to move the ball consistently and put some points on the board. Getting a two or three three-and-outs on defense along with a couple more stops closes the gap between the two teams.
Oct. 22: At Colorado Buffaloes
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Analysis: Whether it is a good thing for Colorado is questionable, but the Buffaloes are losing only tackle Nate Solder and once-starting quarterback Cody Hawkins on offense and bring seven starters back on defense.
Colorado is hoping that a move to the Pac-12 and a new coach can change the program's fortunes. Hosting Oregon will be a tough matchup for a team much less talented.
The Difference Will Be: Rodney Stewart. Stewart filled Colorado's running back position as a heralded recruit with big expectations. So far, he's been a big fish in a small pond, rushing for more than 1,300 yards last season.
Six times Stewart rushed for 100 yards or more in 2010. Five of those times, the Buffaloes won. The sixth time was that ridiculous Kansas comeback that was the final straw for coach Dan Hawkins.
If Oregon bottles up Stewart, Colorado stands no chance.
Oct. 29: Washington State Cougars
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Analysis: Believe it or not, there still is a FBS football program in Pullman, Wash. In fact, Washington State won two games in 2010, albeit only one against an FBS program and the other a one-point home win over Montana State.
The Cougars return eight starters to each side of the ball, which will help them build on their success from last season.
The Difference Will Be: Potential team-wide food poisoning striking Oregon. A Washington State over Oregon upset in 2011 would be great than Stanford over Southern Cal in 2007.
The Ducks are too talented to let a growing but still very inept Cougar team come to Eugene, Ore. and get a win.
Nov. 5: At Washington Huskies
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Analysis: Washington has made strides under coach Steve Sarkisian. Winning a bowl game in 2010 was the latest stride. The defense brings back seven starters, and the offense has running back Chris Polk back after a 1,400-yard season.
The Huskies hope to be a factor in the Pac-12 race for the first time in years.
The Difference Will Be: The maturation of Jake Locker's replacement. It's been four years since Washington entered a season without a de facto starting quarterback. Locker is off to the NFL, leaving a big hole for Sarkisian to fill.
Keith Price and redshirt freshman Nick Montana will battle for the job. Whoever wins the job will need to grow up quickly for any chance of beating the Ducks.
Nov. 12: At Stanford Cardinal
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Analysis: Oregon and Stanford are the two big dogs in the Pac-12, with Southern Cal not far behind. Andrew Luck is back, but he has a lot of new faces on offense with him. Running back Stepfan Taylor and Luck are two of five returning starters on offense.
The defense has holes to fill as well. But Jim Harbaugh didn't leave the cupboards bare.
The Difference Will Be: Stanford's defense keeping the pressure off of Luck. Luck can keep up with any offense in the country as long as he has a fighting chance. Oregon's offense runs roughshod over defenses, causing the opposing offense to play keep-up and sometimes catch-up.
If that's the case for Stanford, the pressure falls to Luck. If the margin starts to stretch in Oregon's favor, a Stanford turnover or two can put the game out of reach in a hurry.
Nov. 19: Southern Cal Trojans
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Analysis: Talent isn't a problem at Southern Cal. Quarterback Matt Barkley is looking to break out by using some of that talent in the wide receiving corps. The offense is set with seven returning starters including three on the offensive line.
The defense brings back plenty of talent as well with players waiting in the wings to fill the gaps and get their predictably stellar careers underway.
The Difference Will Be: The Oregon defense. The Ducks finally meet an offense with just as much talent as theirs. Stanford will be productive but doesn't boast the position-by-position talent of Southern Cal or Oregon.
The Trojans also have the defense to cause the Duck offense problems. Oregon will have to come up with stops against a superior offense to get the win.
Nov. 26: Oregon State Beavers
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Analysis: The Beavers carry on without running back Jacquizz Rodgers manning running back. Quarterback Ryan Katz didn't blow anyone away in his sophomore year. He'll be growing up in his junior year with eight other starters returning, including star wide receiver and Jacquizz's brother, James Rodgers.
But the defense has major holes to fill, most notably super tackle Stephen Paea. The Beavers have plenty of questions, but isn't that when coach Mike Riley is at his best?
The Difference Will Be: The pressure on Oregon. The Ducks could very well be facing the pressure of an undefeated season or a national championship appearance or a Pac-12 championship game appearance or all three.
But this is the Civil War. There's no need to provide extra motivation for the Ducks. They'll be focused on the Beavers and nothing else. That doesn't mean Oregon State won't be ready.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
