Oregon Football Predictions: 10 Off-the-Wall Predictions for 2011
The best part of the offseason is the speculations coming into the new season. Every team is back to square one and start off on an even playing field with high hopes and aspirations.
In a little under four months, Oregon will kick off their season in Dallas Stadium against LSU. Between today and that game, predictions and forecasts will be done for all college football programs. While it is easy to say that LaMichael James will have a good season, here are 10 off-the-wall predictions for the Ducks football program.
Cliff Harris Finds His Way Onto Offense
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Last year, Cliff Harris was a dynamic player both on the defensive side of the ball but also in special teams. Harris continually showed the ability to turn the momentum of the game with a single play.
This is not a predication that Chip Kelly will take one of the best corners in the nation off of defense, but rather that he will find ways to get Harris into space and make plays on offense. Seeing Harris on the offensive side of the ball 4-7 times ago would not be surprising.
Chip Kelly Has The Offense Moving Faster
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One thing that Coach Kelly demanded last year was speed and tempo. The Ducks pushed defenses to the limit and had them exhausted by the second half.
Now that Kelly has seen how this break-neck speed will work, he will look to push the pedal even harder. Based on the success the Ducks had with grinding teams down last year, if there is a next gear in this offensive pace, it could be another outstanding year for the Oregon offense.
Kenjon Barner Leads the Team in Receptions
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The lack of depth is something that could truly hurt Oregon in the long run. The hope is that with a healthy Josh Huff and the arrival of summer camp, which will bring both JUCO players as well as high school talent, that the Ducks can patch the holes left by Jeff Maehl and D.J. Davis.
While the new players will be playing catchup, Kenjon Barner will be an early target. With LaMichael James continuing to get the bulk of the carries, Coach Kelly will continue to look for ways to have both backs on the field, which will lead to more opportunities for Barner.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
John Boyett Leads the Secondary in Interceptions
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Right now it would be easy to say that Cliff Harris will end the year as the leader in interceptions. He has all the skills to lock down one half of the field and spent 2010 making big plays.
Since Harris will do such a good job locking down half the field, he will see limited opportunities to make plays. The less opposing quarterbacks look his way, the more opportunity there will be for the other corners and safeties.
John Boyett is a ball hawk that can make plays himself. With the ability to leave Harris to himself, Boyett will get the opportunity to go for more big plays and pull in more interceptions.
Chip Kelly Will Reach 2 Years Since Losing in Conference
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Coming into the 2011 season, Chip Kelly is riding a streak in the Pac-10 that dates all the way back to November of 2009. Since that month, Oregon and Kelly have not lost in conference.
To reach the two-year mark, Oregon will have to get through Arizona, Cal, Arizona State, Colorado, Washington State and Washington. While a road date with Arizona could prove to be difficult, reaching the two-year mark should not be that difficult for Kelly and the Ducks.
Rob Beard Gets Back to Form
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Early on in 2010, Rob Beard could not miss. He was hitting for everywhere and was not missing on field goals or on extra points. After the midway point of the season came and past, Beard started to struggle and was missing his attempts more and more frequently.
In 2011, Beard will be entering his senior season and the Ducks will be able to rely on his leg. Beard is set and ready for a great season and will look to regain the form he had early last year.
Washington State Challanges Oregon More Then Washington
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When the weather starts to turn and Oregon eyes the end of October and beginning of November, they will face the two schools from Washington back to back.
Last year, Washington State surprised Oregon with the game they gave them and will do so again this year. Out of the two schools, Oregon will struggle more with Washington State but will still get the game under control by the fourth quarter.
Dion Jordan Leads the Defense in Sacks
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With the loss of both Kenny Row and Brandon Bair, someone on the Oregon defensive line is going to have to step up and make some plays for the defense.
Dion Jordan is a player that is able to use his size and speed to his advantage when coming off of the edge. If Jordan is able to have a good year for the Ducks, it will allow younger players to get up to speed and help out later in the year.
Game Versus LSU Turns Into A Defensive Battle
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When the national championship game rolled around, many expected to have the scoreboard light up with touchdown after touchdown. Once the game was over, fans and players alike witnessed a hard nosed defensive game that came down to a last second field goal.
This year, Oregon heads down to Dallas to take on LSU in the first week of the season. With this being the opening game of the season for both teams, the offenses will need time to get up to speed to prepare for another low scoring but highly contested game.
LaMichael James Returns For His Senior Season
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Many Duck fans waited to hear the final announcement on whether LaMichael James would return for his junior year in 2011. Now that we know the answer to that question is yes, many are viewing James as a front runner for the Heisman trophy.
Regardless of the kind of year both James and the Ducks have, we will all be wondering the same thing next year, will James return for one last season. The answer will again be yes.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
