Oregon Ducks Season Preview

The Oregon Ducks came close to becoming the 2011 BCS National Champions as they lost to Auburn on a clock-expiring chip-shot field goal. They were explosive as any team in America last year as they came up with big-time plays every weekend. They put on a clinic and they were truly one of the best stories the entire season.

However, they are without five key defensive starters and also have lost star receiver Jeff Maehl, who will be severely missed if the upcoming wide receivers do no step up their game. So, do the Ducks have enough talent to play for all the marbles once again?

Everybody Screamin', DT Are You with Me?!

The Ducks were flying high until they ran into a giant wall known as the Auburn Tigers in the BCS National Championship. The Ducks may have been the faster and perhaps more talented team, but they were not the stronger team that night.

The top story throughout the season was Thomas’ development as a quarterback, which was something special. While he showed he was human against Auburn with two interceptions, he still stood in there and made enough plays (363 yards) to gave his Ducks an opportunity to nearly pull off the victory.

Best Runner in America No Questions Asked?

Superstar running back LaMichael James was playing with a bum ankle that he suffered during the BCS National Championship and he was not as effective with it. 

James will still be among my top five players in the country and one of the leading contenders for the Heisman. There is no doubt that he will have back-to-back 20-plus touchdowns as he is coming off a fabulous 24-total-touchdown and 1,939-total-yard season.

Kenjon Barner is expected to contribute even more and take some of the load off of James’ back. Throw in slot receiver Josh Huff and true freshman D’Anthony Thomas into the mix, and you have the best backfield in the nation alongside signal caller QB Darron Thomas. 

Losing two key starters on the offensive line will certainly challenge this offense because they were easily the quickest tempo offense in the nation a season ago.

However, James hit the home run ball better than anybody in the nation and his dazzling touchdown scamper against Tennessee showed that he is the most electrifying man in America entering the 2011 season.

Note: Running back Lache Seastrunk transferred to Baylor 8/20/11.

Playmakers Please Stand Up

The offensive line should still be solid despite losing three starters. Mark Asper and Carson York are expected to become All-Pac-12 performers assuming the rest of the group can do their jobs.

The loss of top wideout Jeff Maehl will be tough as he was one of the few players who were able to stretch the field against the Auburn secondary in the BCS Championship.

Lavasier Tuinei is a solid possession target as is David Paulson, Justin Hoffman and Josh Huff, but who else is going to replace the red zone touchdowns that Maehl had?

Luckily, Chip Kelly and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich will continue to work their magic against a much improved Pac-12 conference.

Remember, Colorado and Utah are now in the conference and the Ducks will play an extra game at home assuming they win the Pac-12 North and play in the Conference Championship.

Secondary Is Scary Good

Nick Aliotti is one of the great up and coming coordinators who will be getting plenty of offers from opposing BCS teams that are desperate for a new coach.

The defense a season ago ranked 34th in America in total yards per game and 12th in points allowed per game. The linebacker corps wreaked havoc as they were led by Casey Matthews. Oregon’s defense made any and every play, however, Matthews is now gone and somebody else must be the anchor of the defense. 

Cliff Harris was in the top 10 in interceptions with six, and led America with four punt-return touchdowns. He is a star among stars and has no problem covering tall, lanky receivers despite standing just short of six feet.

As far as his game is concerned, he has fluid hips and can deflect any dart thrown his way. His safety help from John Boyett has been spectacular the past two years. Boyett is among the top safeties in the nation because he is a flat-out ball hawk. These Ducks may be short in stature in the secondary, but they are takeaway machines.

If the green LB corps lose momentum against LSU, it could hurt the defense quite a bit. However, they are loaded with talent and they arguably are as fast as any unit in the Pac-12 and beyond. They should make offensive teams in the new Pac-12 one dimensional, which will put Eugene into a frenzy once again.

Note: Cliff Harris has been suspended for the opener for team violations; he was clocked speeding at 118 MPH.

Lanky Athleticism Up Front

The secondary will only be as good as the front four is. The past two seasons, the front four has dominated the opposition and has put the clamps down on the quarterback. Terrell Turner and Dion Jordan are two lanky, SEC speed-caliber DEs who are as good as any duo in America.

There are some highly touted players up front who did not start a season ago, so it will be interesting to see if the Ducks take a step back or improve upon last season's numbers. 

Drama's Forecast

Chip Kelly brings back a bevy of talent on offense and he still has some All-American talent on defense. Most teams will try to run on the Ducks, and if that does not work then you might as well throw in the towel.

Their opener against LSU may determine their BCS National Championship chances and, if it is any prize, Kirk Herbstreit did pick these Ducks to win the whole ball of wax this season.

Expect the Ducks to play an extra game due to the conference expanding and having a Conference Championship Game. Oregon has not proven to get caught looking at their ranking since they have just lost one conference game in the Kelly era.

Depending on how the ball bounces in the opener against LSU, at very worst the Ducks should still play in a BCS Bowl by winning their conference for a third straight season. A return to the BCS NCG is not out of question if they find a way to knock off the LSU Tigers in the opener.

PREDICTED RECORD: 11-3, 8-1

PROJECTED FINISH: first in North, first Overall 

PREDICTED BOWL: BCS Rose Bowl