Towards the end of last season Oregon fans got a preview of life without Dennis Dixon, and it was almost unbearable to watch. The once potent offense suddenly looked lost and confused and they went three and out on every possession. However, with Head Coach Mike Bellotti and Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly given the entire offseason to retool the offense, it should fair a lot better. The Ducks will not be able to make another National Championship run, but they should be able to finish towards the top of the pack and go bowling once again.
Offense:
A good offense starts with the offensive line. Led by Center Max Unger, Oregon hopes that its line will live up to the expectations. All 5 projected starters on the offensive line are seniors and this very experienced line has the potential to be one of the best in the Pac-10. This offensive line is the reason that Oregon has led the conference in rushing each of the past two seasons. Despite losing Jonathan Stewart, Oregon’s running game should remain strong because of the arrival of junior college transfer LeGarrette Blount. The 6 foot 2, 229 pound running back topped 1,100 yards in each aof his two seasons in community college. Also look for a big season from Jeremiah Johnson who missed most of last season due to a torn ACL. Johnson has great size and speed and is a good fit in the spread offense. He features one of the best stiff arms in the country and has averaged 6.3 yards per carry over the past three seasons. One of the biggest questions in the offseason is who will fill the void left by Dennis Dixon. Although it will be impossible to replace Dixon, Nate Costa and Justin Roper have both shown that they can play and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly should be able to work them into a successful season. Costa and Roper may have problems at receiver if Jaison Williams continues to drop passes. Williams was impressive his sophomore season, but had a tremendous amount of drops last year. Also, tight end Ed Dickson proved last season that he can be a threat to catch the ball down the field as well as over the middle.
Defense:
With an offense that won’t put up nearly as many points as it did last year, Nick Aliotti’s defense will be extremely important. The defense is returning seven starters including lineman Nick Reed who led the nation with 22.5 tackles for a loss. Also returning are cornerbacks Jairus Byrd and Walter Thurmond III as well as strong safety Patrick Chung. This is a defense that forced 33 turnovers last season, the second most in the Pac-10, they will have to continue to be aggressive this year because they won’t have the offense of Stewart and Dixon to help them out.
Special Teams:
Oregon is set with Groza Award semifinalist Matt Evensen at kicker. While running back Andre Crenshaw will replace Stewart as the return man. Kick-off and punt coverage both need to be improved as they were both awful last season.
The Autzen Zoo:
Autzen stadium is one of the best home-field advantages in the country and helped the Ducks achieve some big wins last season. However, Autzen won’t help the Ducks as much this season as the real tests will be on the road. Of the six home games that the Ducks will play, Boise State is the only team that had a winning record last year. However the road schedule is extremely difficult as Oregon has trips to USC, Cal, Arizona State, Oregon State, Washington State, and a trip to Purdue.
Go Beavs! Ducks have the advantage in rowdy Autzen fans, but the quarterback situation is a little shaky. I think the Beavs are going to be far superior this year.
As a SC fan, I think the ducks will be fine! Last year the team tooled the whole offense around dennis dixon, and when he went down, the dynamics of the offense changed. They needed more practice with a less mobile qb, and they justwerent used to it. Anyway, I think both oregon schools will make some noise this year. I just hope it isnt against my trojans! { He smiles!} c-ya ruffnecks
The highlight for both teams seasons may be winning the Civil War. It is in Corvallis this year! The winner may get a minor bowl pick...but neither team will contend for the top 3 Pac10 schools. We both need a few positive surprises to do better, and no losses of the give me games!
PF you cant be serious the beaves will be lusky to get a bowl this year.
Oakland-Roper will not be the starter no matter what he showed last year. Costa would have gone in before Leaf had he not been hurt at the time.
and the road team has only won the last Civil War before that is was i think 10 in a row for the home team.
BeaverNut- Oregon will contend for the top 3 of the conference with USC, Arizona State.
We'll see OLYDUCK, they didn't last year with a Heisman Trophy candidate behind center. They don't have that team or player back. Beavs will try to stay in the top half, and beating the Ducks will accomplish it.
BeaverNut: What do you mean Oregon didn't contend with a heisman cnadidate last year? WHEN the Heisman trophy candidate was behind center, the were the second best team in the nation. They didn't fall off until he was no longer behind center.
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