There’s more to Oregon Ducks football than ridiculously high scoring offenses, Chip Kelly’s genius and ludicrously hot Oregon Ducks cheerleaders. Well, scratch that second one. Still there’s much more to Oregon Ducks football than insanely gorgeous cheerleaders, the ludicrously fast quick-strike offense and the regime change in Eugene. Former Offensive Coordinator Mark Helfrich takes over, but remember he never called any plays. And his new offensive coordinator, Scott Frost, never accomplished anything as a passer. Despite being a quarterback.
You also have the University of Nike, as Phil Knight is their de facto owner and the choke job they put on versus Stanford last year; ruining the national title game for all of us because then we had to watch Notre Dame compete in it…until 14:59 remaining in the first quarter. Then the competition was over. Can the Oregon Ducks get back to their 2010 performance in the national title game?
Oregon Ducks reasons to get EXCITED! ALL CAPS! They’ll still score like 80 points a game and average 0.04 seconds of drive time on their scoring possessions. OLB Boseko Lokombo is a REALLY fun name to say and he’ll be the most important player on defense; at the most important position on D. Especially that Kiko Alonso, Michael Clay and Dion Jordan are gone. The whole secondary returns in tact. Seven starters come back from the unit. The #2 highest scoring offense, #3 in rushing. Will Helfrich keep his placekicker locked in a closet hidden away somewhere? Being a PK at Oregon is the greatest job ever. You never have to do anything! De’Anthony Thomas is the star now. He’s insanely fast. And a HORRIBLE soundbite. He’s as fun to watch as he is painful to listen to. QB Marcus Mariota is only the BMOC bigger than Thomas. They’ll both be dominant for the Oregon Ducks this year.
Oregon Ducks reasons to be worried :( regime change is never easy. Is the coaching staff simply “plug n play” or is it a “legacy device?” Likewise for all those linebacker positions. Has the Oregon Ducks championship window already closed? If they don’t knock off the SEC (probably Alabama) who can/will? If the Oregon Ducks don’t go all the way this year, will they ever?
Oregon Ducks key games: should be undefeated heading to Oct 26th vs UCLA, they’ll seek their revenge at Stanford the following week. These two, along with Nov 23rd at Arizona are the most important by far. By the way, this Rose Bowl moment I shared with Chip Kelly is pure awesome sauce.
Oregon Ducks bottom line: with Chip Kelly gone to the Eagles…uhmm, you gotta rank ’em down a peg. I’ve the seen Ducks as high as #2 in some national preseason rankings, #4 or #5 might be more accurate. Of course, with their schedule, and their talent, who shouldn’t they go 12-0 and back to the national title game? What happens there versus an SEC team is another story. However, Oregon playing for it all this year? Sure, why not.
the 2013 College Football rankings 1-51
Other Pac-12 previews
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net. (“Quasi-endorsed” by Philadelphia Eagles Coach Chip Kelly) He’s also an author who contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
Banks has appeared on the History Channel, as well as ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. The NFL, NBA expert does a weekly spot for 95.7 The Fan. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks), like him on Facebook