Do Oregon Ducks Deserve Better Than No. 3 in Preseason Coaches' Poll?

Oregon fans, the wait is almost over. You know that college football is right around the corner when the USA Today release their preseason rankings and that is exactly what has happened today.

With the rankings now out, Oregon finds themselves sitting third and receiving two first place votes heading into the 2011 season.

Notably, right after Oregon is the No. 4 ranked LSU Tigers who also happened to receive two first place votes. With these two teams meeting up in Dallas in the opening week of the season, one team will leave Cowboy Stadium with a huge victory under their belt.

For the Ducks, this ranking is important for two reasons.

First, starting off so high will mean that if Oregon takes care of their own business they will barley have to move to position themselves for a return to the national title game. With only Alabama and Oklahoma in front of them, Oregon is in a great spot.

Secondly, should Oregon fail to defeat LSU is the opening week of the season, they are ranked high enough that their title hopes are not out the window. An opening week loss to the No. 4 team in the nation is something that they can overcome. Past seasons have proved that an early season loss is much easier to overcome a late season loss.

Oregon is being viewed as a serious contender this year and in order for them to live up to the hype, they will need help from both their offensive line and wide receiver group. If those two units can prove they can play up to last years standards, the Ducks will be in good shape.

One thing is for sure, more then the fans in Oregon believe in the Ducks this year and they will get an opportunity right out of the gate to prove that they are more then a one year wonder.

The long offseason is drawing to an end Duck fans and the 2011 season is sure to be another interesting ride for Oregon.