Oregon Ducks vs. LSU Tigers: 9 Reasons Why the Ducks Will Dominate the Tigers

September 3rd is shaping up to be the game of the year.  Both Oregon and LSU are ranked in the top five of the preseason AP Poll and are looking to make an early case for the national championship.

Oregon's lethal offense will go against LSU's stingy defense in what should be the match-up of the night.

If this game stays close until the end, LSU has a chance.

Outside of the slim chance that LSU outscores the Ducks, this game should be a great warm up for the Ducks heading into a tumultuous Pac-12 conference schedule.

9. Defensive Depth

Last year, the Ducks rotated 25 players on defense and only a handful of them left this offseason. Nick Aliotti is very smart to get his young players playing time, even if it's minimal, some is much better than none. 

Now that some of those players are now starting on defense, they will be better off because of their playing time earlier in their college career.

This will be key for the Ducks young defense to rally behind they veterans and play as a team.  Last season, they rotated so often that there was rarely a moment that a defender wasn’t at full strength. If the defense stays fresh, they should be able to shut down the Tigers' weak offensive attack.

8. The Wow-Factor

This is reduced because of the suspension of Cliff Harris for the season opener, but the Ducks have too many play makers to count this out. 

DeAnthony Thomas is a weapon that has yet to be displayed at the college level and there is no better stage to show off his talents other than his first career college game. 

Since Cliff Harris is out for the game, Kenjon Barner, Josh Huff and DeAnthony Thomas will look to step into the punt/kick returning role on Saturday.  One of these three players will return a kick and it should make the difference in the final score.   

7. PAC-12 Revenge

Every Pac-12 opponent hates the SEC.  It's a proven fact that everyone in the nation, excluding the 12 SEC teams, wants nothing more than to dismantle one of the conference’s best teams.

After a loss to Auburn in last year championship game, the Ducks are seeking revenge.  There is still a sour taste in the mouth's of the Ducks and nothing will make that pain go away unless they dismantle another SEC foe. 

After beating up on a weak SEC opponent—Tennessee—in last year’s non-conference schedule, the Ducks want to wreak havoc again early in the season.   

6. Chip Kelly’s Trick-Er-Ation

Chip Kelly’s nickname should be Stuart Scott's famous saying, “As Cool as the Other Side of the Pillow."  Countless times during last season, Kelly called some of the most ludacris plays—and they worked!

He was bold enough to call a fake punt against Oregon State in the third quarter on a 4^th and three from the Ducks own 28 yard line only up nine points with the National Championship game on the line.  Kelly also called an option on a two point conversion with his holder and kicker on the Ducks first touchdown in the National Championship.

The list goes on and on and only he knows what ridiculous play he has in mind when his team needs a boost against LSU. 

5. A Chip on Their Shoulder

Everyone but Oregon’s fans was shocked last year when the Ducks reached the national title game.  Everyone also thought they didn’t have a chance against Cam Newton and Nick Fairley; and until the last play of the game, again the critics were wrong. 

Although the Ducks are ranked No.3 in this year’s AP Poll, they know that is not good enough.  When you run the table throughout the regular season the previous year, only to then lose in the national championship, it is only natural to want to repeat the next season with a victory in its final game. 

This game is the launching pad for the Ducks prove themselves to the country early in the season that they are indeed national championship contenders. 

4. Too Many Offensive Threats for LSU to Handle

It doesn’t take a genius to know that the Ducks have one of the most versatile and powerful offensive attacks in the country.  Whether it is veterans LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner and Darron Thomas, or newcomers DeAnthony Thomas and Colt Lyerla; they all have one thing in common—SPEED!

These Ducks have the fastest team in the nation and if they get to the outside or into the open field, good luck trying to catch them. 

David Paulson is a returning First Team all Pac-10 player and will put heavy pressure on the Tigers outside linebackers and safeties as well.  If this game becomes a shootout, look for it to soon become a blowout.   

3. A Duel Threat Quarterback

This would have been a moot point had Jordan Jefferson not been ruled ineligible for the season opener against the Ducks.  This gives the Ducks a huge advantage over the Tigers because Darron Thomas can kill them with both his legs and his arm. 

If his first season as a starter for the Ducks is any indication of his future play, this season could be magical.  His only flaw was his low completion percentage and that seems to be the one trait that improves with experience. 

The Tigers should be wary of his running ability and down field vision if they wish to flush him out of the pocket on Saturday night.

2. Nick Aliotti’s Blitz Schemes

It is one of his favorite past times; blitzing the hell out of inexperienced quarterbacks.  Last year, Washington’s Keith Price set a perfect example of this in his first career start. He blitzed the kid so many times that in the second half, his seven step drops turned into three step draws plays. 

Although Jarrett Lee is not experiencing his first career start, he better be ready for a blitzing frenzy.  Russell Sheppard is ineligible and Terrance Toliver is in the NFL, which are two of the Tigers best receivers from the 2010 season. With an inexperienced quarterback, Oregon’s front seven should be firing on all cylinders.   

1. Veteran Leadership

This one is a no brainer.  Although the Ducks don’t have a lot of people returning on either side of the ball, the players that are returning were last season’s stars. 

Chip Kelly has said numerous times this offseason that Darron Thomas is this team’s leader.  LaMichael James, David Paulson and John Boyett are also valuable players that will carry much of the load this year. 

LSU lost their senior quarterback this offseason and can’t compete with the Ducks in the category of veteran experience.  If the game is close in the fourth quarter, look for one of the Ducks veterans to make the play of the game and bring a W back to Eugene in the season opener.