College Football 2011: How the Oregon Ducks Can Get Back to the BCS

Getting to the National Championship game is one of the hardest things to accomplish. What is even harder is getting back two years in a row. When the 2011 season gets underway, the Oregon Ducks will be attempting to accomplish this, but will face their share of challenges along the way.  

While the Ducks return much of their explosive offense, many questions still face this team going into the 2011 season. Should the Ducks be able to overcome the majority of these obstacles, they could find themselves getting another shot at the crystal football.

The Schedule

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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 Jonathan

Without a doubt, the first hurdle Oregon will have to clear is the opening week of the season. While most title contenders are getting a week or two to get up to speed, Oregon kicks off the season against LSU.  

Not only is the start of the season rough, but both of Oregon's big conference games will be played on the road. To open up the Pac-12 season, Oregon will have to take on Arizona in Tucson, and then late in the year, they will have to head to Stanford for a game with the Cardinal.

The Pac-12 Championship

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 06: Mascot 'Puddles' of the Oregon Ducks sdoes some crowd surfing 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 Ducks won the game 5

Starting this year, the Pac-10 is gone and the Pac-12 will begin their first season with Utah and Colorado now in the conference. Along with these two new teams comes a new challenge and opportunity, the Pac-12 Championship game.  

On one hand, this game will be yet another hard-fought game that Oregon will potentially have to get through, but on the other hand, it is a last-minute opportunity to impress voters and improve rankings.  

Either way, this is potentially another game against a tough opponent that could separate Oregon from the National Championship.

In the Trenches

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Nick Foles #8 of the Arizona Wildcats is helped up by defensive end Brandon Bair #88 of the Oregon Ducks in the fourth quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the ga

A lot of things were learned during the 2011 National Championship game.

Oregon learned that it belonged in the national spotlight and could hang with the SEC. What it also learned was that when push came to shove, they were not big enough on the lines to compete with Auburn and more physical teams.  

In 2011, the Ducks will replace two offensive linemen and will also have to replace the contributions of Kenny Rowe and Brandon Bair on the defensive line. While the Ducks did not get any bigger on either front during the offseason, they will have to find a way to use their speed and skill to compete in Week 1 against LSU.

Back-to-Back

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Josh Huff #4 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 Christian Peter

College football may be one of the hardest sports in which to run the table when playing in a major conference. You need skill, depth, luck and the ability to make plays at critical times.  

While Oregon certainly does not lack the skill and depth needed to get back to the title game, they may have used up all their magic last year. Seemingly any break or play the Ducks needed to make, they did, and it is only a matter of time before the ball bounces the other way.

Filling the Hole with Jeff Maehl

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Jeff Maehl #23 of the Oregon Ducks runs the ball against the Auburn Tigers in the second quarter of the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo

Maybe the most overlooked loss from this Oregon offense will be Jeff Maehl. Last year there were countless third downs where Darron Thomas was able to connect with him to keep drives going. Maehl continued to find ways to get open and gave the offense a spark anytime they needed it.  

With Maehl now gone to the NFL, Oregon and Thomas are going to have to look elsewhere in the passing game. While the Ducks do have wide receivers capable of making big plays, it will take time to develop the chemistry that Thomas seemingly had with Maehl.

Winning the Day

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks looks on against the Auburn Tigers in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/G

Coach Chip Kelly has done a marvelous job in getting his players to buy into the philosophy of winning each and every day. Winning at film study, winning at weight lifting, winning at conditioning drills. Whatever it may be, Chip has his players support.  

Every year becomes a grind, and the team that can stay focused gives themselves a leg up on the competition. If Kelly can again get all of his players to buy into keeping their day-in, day-out focus and block out all outside distractions, the Ducks will again give themselves a great opportunity for success.