Oregon Ducks Football: Season Preview

Offense: A

The Ducks were the nations highest scoring team last year, averaging over 47 points a game, and this year Chip Kelly wants the offense's pace to be even faster. The offense returns six starters (QB Darron Thomas, RB LaMichael James, OL Mark Asper and Carson York, TE David Paulson, WR Lavasier Tuinei) but lost their top two receivers and three offensive linemen. But with these uncertainties comes the highest preseason ranking in Oregon Ducks football history. While the offense loses the aforementioned players, the returning core of Thomas, James and Kenjon Barner have the offensive unit looking as strong as ever. Oregon's backfield is as strong as any in the country. Players like lineman Darrion Weems rotated regularly with the first team offense and will transition into a starting role nicely.

Quarterback: A

Starter: Darron Thomas

Darron Thomas comes back for his second year under the helm after possibly the best season a Duck quarterback has ever had. Thomas showed his dual-threat skills with 486 rushing yards and 2,881 passing yards. Thomas had 346 passing yards in the national championship, but could have made some better reads against Auburn's defense (throwing two interceptions). Thomas has shown leadership ability all off-season and has set the standard for all his teammates through his actions.

Brian Bennett is an intriguing prospect that will back-up Thomas. Bennett showed his strong arm and fast feet in the spring game. Fighting for the 3^rd spot will be incoming freshman Marcus Mariotta and walk-on Dustin Haines. There is a strong chance Mariotta could redshirt if the other QB's stay healthy.

Running Backs: A+

Starter: LaMichael James

The Ducks have the best group of running backs in the nation. This platoon of running backs is led by LaMichael James, who led the nation in rushing yards last year, finished 3^rd in the Heisman, and is 20 yards away from being the Ducks all-time rusher. Kenjon Barner is no scrub as a back up either. In the lone game Barner started (New Mexico, 2010), he had 147-yards rushing, 60-yards receiving, and five total touchdowns.

Fighting for the other spots will be redshirt freshman Lache Seastrunk, walk-on Ayele Ford, and incoming freshman De'Anthony Thomas. Seastrunk and Thomas are both 5-star recruits and came to Oregon with high expectations. More than likely Seastrunk will be the Ducks’ third running back option with Thomas either redshirting or playing special teams and playing the  “tazer” position.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends: B+

Starting Receivers: Lavasier Tuinei, Josh Huff, and Justin Hoffman

Starting Tight End: David Paulson

The Ducks lose their top two receivers in Jeff Maehl and Drew Davis, but have plenty of depth coming into replace them. Josh Huff and Lavasier Tuinei should be the top receivers for the Ducks but it's a mystery after that. Players like Daryle Hawkins, Justin Hoffman and Nick Cole are just a few players who could be in the mix.

And don't forget about the four newcomers to the team: Rahsaan Vaughn, Devon Blackmon, Tacoi Sumler and B.J Kelley all will have the opportunity to contribute this year. And the starting tight-end will be star David Paulson with redshirt freshman Curtis White and true freshman Colt Lyerla battling for the second string spot.

Offensive Lineman: B

Starters: LT Darrion Weems, LG Carson York, C Hroniss Grasu, RG Ramsn Golpashin, and RT Mark Asper

As mentioned earlier, the Ducks lose three starting linemen from last year's team. However the Ducks have plenty of depth at the position and are better positioned than the 2009 season when they lost three starters as well. Coming into the 2009 season the offensive linemen had a combined 19 starts while this 2011 group has a combined 55 career starts. This group will face an instant test against the size and speed of the LSU defense.

Defense: B+

While Oregon’s offense is what most football fans know about the team, Oregon’s defense is still one of the top in the Pac-12 and often goes overlooked. The Ducks return five starters from last season’s national championship game run, and Oregon must replace key seniors Casey Matthews, Spencer Paysinger and Kenny Rowe. But with how much the Ducks rotated players on defense, usually around 25 players a game, the team should still have a great unit going into the 2011 season.

Defensive Line: B

Starters: Terrell Turner, Taylor Hart, Ricky Heimuli, and Brandon Hanna

The ducks lose three of their four starting defensive lineman, and as mentioned earlier, most notably defensive end Kenny Rowe. The Ducks also lose both defensive tackles, Brandon Bair and Zac Clark.

Returning are seniors Terrell Turner and Brandon Hanna as the starting defensive ends. And on the inside of the line, returners Ricky Heimuli, Taylor Hart, Wade Keliikipi and Isaac Remington will battle for the two starting defensive tackles spots.

With how much the Ducks rotate, seeing seven or eight different defensive lineman each game wouldn’t be a surprise.

Linebackers: B-

Starters: Dewitt Stuckey, Michael Clay and Josh Kaddu

The line-backing unit is easily the weakest on the team. The Ducks replace the longstanding production of Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger, now in the NFL.

The starting Ducks linebackers are likely to be Dewitt Stuckey, Michael Clay and Josh Kaddu. With this starting unit, reserves Derrick Malone, suspended linebacker Kiko Alonso, up-and-coming star Boseko Lokombo, and true freshman Anthony (Prime Time Player) Wallace all will likely see the field regularly.

With this unit being so weak, the Ducks will constantly be rotating fresh bodies. Look for any of the reserves to earn a starting spot at some point in the season.

Secondary: A

Starters: Cliff Harris, Anthony Gildon, John Boyett and Eddie Pleasant

The Ducks’ secondary may be it’s strongest overall unit.

Both safeties Eddie Pleasant and John Boyett return, as well as flashy (currently suspended) cornerback Cliff Harris. With senior Anthony Gildon in place to secure the final spot in the defensive backfield, Oregon has an abundance of sophomores and freshman ready to secure their spot on the second team.

The second and third team corners are Dior Mathis, Scott Grady, Troy Hill, Terrence Mitchell, and James Scales. Out of this list, Hill and Mitchell were most impressive in spring ball. For the safety positions, Erick Dargan and Brian Jackson are the primary reserves with Avery Patterson splitting time as a corner and safety.

Overall Preview: Ducks finish 13-1 Pac-12 Champions, Rose Bowl Win

Best-Case Scenario: Ducks finish 14-0, Crowned National Champions

After falling just short a season ago, the Ducks come into 2011 more motivated then ever and take care of unofficial business. With the offense being carried by Heisman Trophy winner LaMichael James and Davey O’Brien award winner Darron Thomas, the Ducks offense takes another step forward.

Worst-Case Scenario: 7-5, end season on a three game losing streak

The 2011 season could go the way of the 2007 season in which the Ducks worked their way to the No. 2 ranking in the country, only to lose their starting quarterback and finish with three consecutive loses. The Ducks season may hinder on the health of Darron Thomas.