Oregon Football: 10 Things the Ducks Can Prove in 2011
After a school best 12-0 regular season in 2010, the Oregon Ducks made it to the BCS National Championship and gave Auburn everything they could handle and more. After playing a tight game, the Tigers ended up winning on a game-ending field goal.
Once the game was over, speculation immediately turned to trying to predict which teams could find themselves playing for a national title in 2011.
When looking back at the 2010 season, no matter how impressive Oregon was, people will be looking to see if they can repeat that success in 2011.
Here are 10 things that Oregon can prove in the 2011 season.
LaMichael James Is the Best Back in the Nation
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After seeing his stats improve during the past two seasons, LaMichael James is set for his best year yet. Coming into 2011, James will have the experience and skill to break more records.
If James is able to improve in the passing game over the offseason, he will be more dangerous then ever.
Chip Kelly Can Win the Big Game
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Right out of the gate, Chip Kelly is going to be provided with an opportunity to win a big game.
Since taking over at Oregon, Kelly has lost to Boise State, Ohio State and Auburn and has not been able to secure a great victory.
In an opening week game against LSU, Kelly and the Ducks will be going up against a Top Five team. A win against LSU puts them in the driver seat to get back to the title game.
Darron Thomas Will Be Better as a Junior
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After his first season as a starter, Darron Thomas showed that the two years he spent in the program, prior to starting, truly paid off. Thomas showed the poise and skills of a senior last year and showed very few weaknesses.
If Thomas can improve on the read option play and develop chemistry with his new receivers, the Ducks quarterback will have a field day in the Pac-12.
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The Ducks Are Reloading
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One of the things fans look at when a team has a great season is if they will be reloading or rebuilding when they lose players to the draft and graduation.
After the 2010 season was over, Oregon lost some leadership and talent off of both sides of the ball. The difference for the Ducks is the depth they had last year will provide them with starters in 2011.
Teams that are able to sustain success find themselves in periods where they reload and that is exactly where Oregon is right now.
The Offense Can Run Even Faster
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Last year, everyone saw how quickly Oregon went from play to play. The strategy had a lot of success as defenses found it almost impossible to keep up with them for 60 minutes.
In 2011, Chip Kelly is pressing for his offense to be faster and more efficient. If the Ducks are able to find this next gear, it will be exciting to watch them fly.
The Offseason Does Not Distract Them
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Before the 2010 season began, Oregon had to deal with off-the-field issues. People were concerned that these issues may lead to an unfocused team. Nothing could have been further from the truth as Oregon was able to focus on daily tasks, leading to a 12-1 season.
In 2011, Oregon has had some off-the-field questions pop up and the natural questions of can they deal with it, have surfaced again.
Chip Kelly has provided this team with a focus and discipline that will help them remain razor sharp in 2011.
Kenjon Barner Could Start on Most Other Teams
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Oregon enters 2011 with a problem that most teams would love to have—too much talent at running back. The opening week depth chart will likely have LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner and Lache Seastrunk on it.
While LaMichael James is a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, Kenjon Barner does not provide a drop off in talent for opposing defenses. Barner has the talent, speed and experience to start for almost any other team in the nation.
Cliff Harris Is the Best Punt Returner in the Nation
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Last year was only a preview to what Cliff Harris can do as a punt returner. While being one of the best cornerbacks in the nation, Harris was electrifying whenever he got the ball on a punt.
In 2010, Harris had four touchdowns on special teams and another handful in which he could have gone the distance.
With another year under his belt, Harris will be smarter and harder to stop. Look for teams to give him as few opportunities as possible to return kicks in 2011.
Last Year Was Not a Fluke
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It is easy to look at Oregon last year and say they had a good run but getting to the title game was a fluke. Many also believe that the Ducks took advantage of a weak schedule and lost to the only elite program they played.
In 2011, Oregon will head on the road for games against LSU (a relative away game based on distance the teams are traveling), Arizona and Stanford. They will also have to win an additional game in the newly formed Pac-12 if they advance to the Pac-12 title game.
If Oregon is able to have a repeat performance of last year, nobody will be able to claim it was due to a weak schedule.
They Are the Class of the Pac-12
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By adding two more teams to the conference and a Pac-12 championship game, Oregon will have the opportunity to win a third straight conference title and do so by beating Stanford on the road, USC and winning a conference championship game.
Should Oregon deliver on a third straight conference crown, it will show the nation that they have taken over the west coast.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
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