Oregon Football: Why This Year's Team Will Be Better Than Last Year's

It is no secret that the Oregon football team has gotten national attention over the last three years for their offense.  Since coming to Eugene in 2007, Chip Kelly has revolutionized the spread offense, which is now run at many of the top college football programs.

The 2011 Ducks will no doubt have a similarly potent offense this year, with Heisman Trophy finalist LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas returning to the field. However, Oregon will have to replace several starters on the defensive front, as well as their two leading receivers. Kelly and the Ducks staff have nothing to worry about, as they possess enough talent that they no longer rebuild–they reload.

This is most evident on the defensive side of the ball, where the Ducks had a rotation of over 25 players who saw significant minutes last year.  Defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti wants his players flying all over the field, so the rotation keeps them fresh and running at 100 percent. This has been an incredibly smart and successful tactic for developing talent and depth. With the starters not playing the entire game, backups receive the opportunity to see meaningful playing time. So when players graduate, the Ducks are not left with any gaping holes.

Despite the fact that Oregon graduated three of their four starting defensive lineman, coaches are confident that this year’s group can be even better.  Receiver turned defensive end Dion Jordan had an outstanding spring game. The gifted pass rusher looks poised to wreak havoc on Pac-12 offenses.  Defensive tackles Ricky Heimuli and Wade Keliikipi are big yet quick, and should be able to step in to stuff the run.

Oregon has a similar situation at linebacker, but Michael Clay, Dewitt Stuckey and Boseko Lokombo are experienced and speedy enough to replace the lost production of Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger.

At cornerback, the very quotable Cliff Harris will take over for Talmadge Jackson as the team’s number one corner.  Harris will look to improve on his six interceptions from last season, as he faces the challenge of locking down every team’s best receiver. It is still unknown who will play the opposite corner, but the Ducks have plenty of experienced players who are looking to step up and succeed at that spot.

Despite all of the new faces stepping in, you better believe the 2011 Ducks will be even better than the 2010 team. Oregon retained most of their superstars, and now they are taking on larger leadership roles.

James will no doubt make another run at the Heisman, but it is the defense that will lead Oregon back to the national title game. As a team that prides itself on speed, the Ducks have the fastest defense in Aliotti’s tenure. This will allow the defensive mastermind to dial up aggressive blitzes. The Oregon defense should be able to shut down the offenses of the Pac-12–not that Darron Thomas and company will need them to.

The main reason this team will be better than last year’s, is motivation.  The Ducks have improved every year since Kelly’s arrival. Oregon has gone from the Holiday Bowl to the Rose Bowl, and then to the National Championship this past season.  Oregon may have lost their last two bowl games, but just as the players used that Rose Bowl loss as motivation, they will use the loss to Auburn to motivate them this season.

Oregon is no longer just a team with a gimmicky offense, they are a national power. With the best recruiting class in school history enrolling this fall, that shouldn’t change anytime soon.  If the Ducks can survive their season opener against SEC power LSU, Oregon has a tremendous chance of returning to the National Championship.  Kickoff of the 2011 college football season is still months away, but it’s never too early to think about who will be kissing the crystal football in New Orleans.