Oregon vs. LSU: Position-by-Position Review

Oregon and LSU will be facing off Sept. 3rd in Jerry Jones' $1.1 billion dollar new stadium dubbed "Jerry World."

This game should prove to be one of the best games of the year and will have potential national championship implications. As the SEC's power takes on the speed of the Pac-12, let's review each position and see who has the edge.

Also a prediction!

Quarterback

Oregon: Darron Thomas

LSU: Jarrett Lee

Darron Thomas will be the best quarterback on the field Saturday by far. Thomas is a dark horse Heisman candidate who should only improve upon his 2,800 yard, 35-touchdown season in his second year as a starter.

Jordan Jefferson's suspension just puts LSU further behind in the quarterback edge.

The best that can happen for LSU is fifth-year senior Jarrett Lee manages the game and doesn't turn the ball over. 

Running Back

Oregon: LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner, De'Anthony Thomas

LSU: Spencer Ware, Michael Ford

Oregon has the best stable of running backs in the nation with Doak Walker award winner and Heisman finalist LaMichael James, one of the versatile players in the nation Kenjon Barner and 5-star recruit De'Anthony Thomas.

LSU has to replace their top rusher from last year in Stevan Ridley but has a talented core to replace him in Spencer Ware and Michael Ford.

Ware should be the starter, and it wouldn't surprise if he had over 100 yards against Oregon.

Receiver

OREGON: Lavasier Tuinei, Josh Huff, Justin Hoffman

LSU: Reuben Randle, Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr.

Before Russell Sheppard's suspension, this was a toss-up; now, Oregon seems to be taking the lead with returning contributors Lavasier Tuinei and Josh Huff.

While LSU has a proven commodity in the 6'4" Reuben Randle, they must rely on true freshmen including Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham for production.

Both teams have strong tight ends that should cancel each other out in David Paulson and DeAngelo Peterson for Oregon and LSU, respectively. 

Offensive Line

Oregon: LT Darrion Weems, LG Carson York, C Hroniss Grasu, RG Ramsen Golpashin, RT Mark Asper

LSU: LT Chris Faulk, LG T-Bob Hebert, C P.J Lonergan, RG Will Blackwell, RT Alex Hurst

Offensive line is where LSU has the biggest advantage over Oregon. LSU returns four starters for a line that weighs a combined 1,577 lbs.

LSU may be able to overpower Oregon's speedier, smaller line. 

On the other side, Oregon has to replace three linemen including left tackle and center, which are the two key positions for the line.

Defensive Line

Oregon: Drop end Brandon Hanna, DT Taylor Hart and Ricky Heimuli, DE Terrell Turner

LSU: DE Kendrick Adams, DT Anthony Johnson and Michael Brockers, DE Sam Montgomery

While LSU has to replace both defensive tackles, they have Anthony "the Freak" Johnson, who was the No. 2 player in the ESPN Top 150 last year. 

Oregon only returns one defensive lineman, Terrell Turner, but with the depth and number of players the Ducks play on defense (25), Sept. 3rd won't be the first time the new starters are on the field.

Because of their size and speed, the Tigers get the edge.

Linebackers

Oregon: OLB's Josh Kaddu and Michael Clay, MLB Dewitt Stuckey

LSU: OLB's Ryan Baker and Stefoin Francois, MLB Karnell Hatcher

Oregon returns one-and-a-half starters at the linebacker position, with Michael Clay being a pseudo-starter due to his large amount of playing time last year. Josh Kaddu is an absolute animal on the field and possesses a rare combination of speed and power. Dewitt Stuckey will start at MLB after Kiko Alonso's suspension.

Despite losing Kelvin Sheppard, LSU is still strong at linebacker, returning Stefoin Francois and Ryan Baker, who is on the Butkus award watch.

LSU has a slight edge in the linebacker department, but if Dewitt Stuckey has a great game, Oregon could have the advantage.

Defensive Backs

Oregon: FS John Boyett, SS Eddie Pleasant, CB Anthony Gildon and Terrance Mitchell

LSU: FS Eric Reid, SS Brandon Taylor, CB Morris Claiborne and Tyrann "T-Rex" Mathieu

Defensive back is the strongest position for the Ducks defense, and they are loaded with skill at the position.

John Boyett is a ball hawk at one safety spot, and converted linebacker Eddie Pleasant is a hard hitter. While All-American Cliff Harris is suspended, redshirt freshman Terrance Mitchell has all the tools to step into his spot proficiently.

Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu make a great combo at corner and will make it tough for even the best quarterbacks to complete passes. Brandon Taylor is a team leader at safety and wears the coveted No. 18 jersey for the Tigers, designated for the player that shows what it means to be a Tiger on and off the field.

I'd give the Ducks a small advantage in the secondary department depending on Mitchell's performance.

Special Teams

Oregon: Returners Kenjon Barner and Josh Huff, K Rob Beard, P Jackson Rice

LSU: Returners Morris Claiborne and Ron Brooks, K Drew Alleman, P Brad Wing

The Ducks are returning all contributors on special teams except holder Nate Costa. That gives them a big advantage over the Tigers.

Rob Beard and Jackson Rice make for one of the toughest kicking combos in the nation.

Although Cliff Harris made the most headlines on special teams for the Ducks last year, Kenjon Barner and Josh Huff are also dynamic in the return game.

Coach

Oregon: Chip Kelly

LSU: Les Miles

While Les Miles has been criticized for his erratic game managing tactics, he does have a national championship under his belt. However, the mad hatter doesn't prepare like Chip Kelly. No one does.

Kelly changed the landscape of Oregon football after two consecutive BCS bowls, including the national championship last year. Kelly's spread option attack is highlighted by the breakneck pace, which lead Oregon to score the most points in the country.

Fans

Over 80,000 tickets had been sold for the game and over 50,000 went to LSU, a towering majority.

The game should be a repeat on the national championship, which was short on Ducks and long on SEC fans. 

Note: I'm not disputing which fanbase is better—just how many fans will be at the game.

Mascot

The Duck (formerly known as puddles) is the most awesome mascot in sports.

Whether he's doing SportsCenter commercials, pushups or even the Dougie, The Duck is always a charismatic presence.

Uniforms

Oregon revolutionized college football with their uniforms and currently have over 500 combinations to pick from.

Oregon is even debuting new uniforms for the LSU game which have the look of the Dark Knight Batman.

Final Prediction

Ducks 24 Tigers 17

Darron Thomas has a big day passing, and LaMichael James gets in the end zone at least once.

The Ducks big advantage in special teams leads to a huge play which proves to be the deciding factor.