Will Darron Thomas Stay Healthy and Power the Oregon Ducks to BCS Return?

After missing last week's game against Colorado with a knee injury, Oregon Ducks quarterback Darron Thomas is set to return and start on Saturday against the Washington State Cougars, according to Oregon football reporter Rob Moseley. 

The Ducks didn't have any trouble in beating the overmatched Buffaloes 45-2 last week with backup Bryan Bennett under center, and they probably would have been able to get away with beating the Cougars this week without Thomas as well.

Oregon has some big games coming up against solid opponents, however, with Washington, No. 6 Stanford and USC all on tap. Because of that, getting Thomas some game action against an inferior team could go a long way in getting both his knee and confidence ready for the home stretch.

Currently second in the Pac-12 North, the Ducks will likely need to win out in order to get into another BCS Bowl—that likely being the Rose Bowl. Oregon trails Stanford by a half game and will have the opportunity to take full possession of first provided it can win each of its next two games.

A healthy Thomas will be absolutely vital in doing that. While running back LaMichael James' return is huge for the Ducks as well, Thomas is really the one who is at the controls of Oregon's high-powered spread option attack.

Thomas is a threat throwing the ball— as evidenced by his 17 touchdown passes—but he can also beat opposing defenses with his legs. Thomas is at his best when he can move the pocket and make quick cuts as a runner, so his knee will need to be close to 100 percent moving forward.

Some may consider starting him against a very beatable Washington State team to be an unnecessary risk, but it would be a bit irresponsible to throw him to the wolves in the teeth of Pac-12 play with him not having seen game action in a couple weeks.

Thomas won't have to kill himself against the Cougars, but he should be able to settle in nicely and get back in the swing of things. Provided he is able to stay on the football field moving forward, I think it is very safe to say that the Ducks will be coming up roses.