Oregon preview: Any Pac-10 title chance in ’08?

By Marc Hudgens  |   Tuesday, August 26, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Oregon Ducks
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The Oregon Ducks were picked to finish fourth in the Pac-10 after the conference’s recent Media Days wrapped. Others are choosing them third, behind Arizona State and -- surprise -- USC. If Oregon does finish third, it’ll be hard for fans to be upset when you consider that it lost quarterback Dennis Dixon and running back Jonathan Stewart since last season.

The running game should be fine in Stewart's absence with Jeremiah Johnson, who averaged 6.4 yards a touch last season before his injury. The Ducks also have another standout back in LeGarrette Blount, who is pushing Johnson rather hard.

Speaking of pushing, pro-style quarterback Justin Roper, second on the depth chart, is catching up to starter Nate Costa. Although Costa -- who will sit the season opener against Washington because of an injury -- is considered a better fit in coordinator Chip Kelly’s spread offense because of his dual-threat ability, it’s quite telling that Roper is making enough noise to warrant reconsideration. Add to all this a senior-laden offensive line that's led by preseason award nominees Max Unger (center) and Fenuki Tupou (tackle), and there may be little drop-off from last season. Receiver Jaison Williams and tight end Ed Dickson return and will be good enough to be considered threats.

No one expected Dixon to be such a destructive force before last season; instead, he simply ambushed the Pac-10. Funny thing is that the same questions surround Costa and Roper. And it was Roper who came in after Dixon went down and, after a tough three-game learning curve, threw for four touchdowns in the Sun Bowl in a 56-21 route over No. 21 South Florida.

Defensively, the only issue is at tackle. Ends Nick Reed and Will Tukuafu return, as does linebacker John Bacon, and they’re all backed up by a seriously good secondary. Bacon and safety Patrick Chung will likely have to help out in the middle, but if the new middlemen on the front four come out swinging, Oregon's is probably the best defense in the Pac-10. And that’s saying a lot when you consider that USC’s defense has been crowned as the conference’s, and perhaps the nation’s, best.

In terms of logistics, the schedule is tough. Traveling from Washington State on Sept. 27 to Los Angeles -- to play USC -- the next Saturday will be difficult. Add in the fact that the Ducks then go home to face UCLA, and it's that much more of a test; in fact, those three games make for 2,000 miles of travel in less than two weeks. Looking at the entire schedule, USC and Arizona State are the Ducks' only probable losses, which is why many are picking them to finish third.

Don’t misunderstand that Dixon and Stewart were outstanding in 2007. Had it not been for Dixon’s injury, the Ducks would have won the Pac-10 title. But coach Mike Bellotti’s squad doesn't enter 2008 barren. The talent is there; it’s just a matter of how quickly it all gels and learns. If it happens sooner than later, Oregon might be a serious threat to win the conference.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He ...
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