Early ESPN 2012 Top 25

[Da_O]

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7537531/usc-trojans-earn-top-spot-latest-2012-look

6. Oregon Ducks
Previous rank: 4
The Ducks were stunned when Thomas entered the NFL draft, but it would have been much, much worse if coach Chip Kelly had left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kelly is always going to have plenty of speed and a plethora of skill players available, so the Ducks shouldn't have too many problems scoring points this season. Tailbacks De'Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner are ready to replace the departed LaMichael James and sophomore Bryan Bennett is in line to replace Thomas. Offensive tackle Arik Armstead was a big recruiting coup, along with tailback Byron Marshall and receiver Bralon Addison.

 

[Ed O]

That seems pretty realistic to me. Losing our best player and our quarterback introduces a lot of uncertainty.

I wish AA were playing OT.

Ed O.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm fine with AA playing defense. The guy is an extremely talented player, and I love having a gifted athlete on the DLine.

 

[DuckySeahawk]

Anything in the top 10 is great. Especially when we are breaking in a new QB. Good thing we have 3 weeks to get the offense goin.

 

[Natebishop3]

Anything in the top 10 is great. Especially when we are breaking in a new QB. Good thing we have 3 weeks to get the offense goin.

I suspect it will be Bennett, but I'm not discounting the chance that Mariota could sneak in and take the starting nod.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

I think for the first 3 games you could have a first half Bennet second half Mariota and see who gels the best with the offense....Mariota needs to know the plays inside and out anyway just incase Bennet gets hurt and he needs to take over.... It'll be fun to see who shines, both kids are great athletes!

 

[Ed O]

I think for the first 3 games you could have a first half Bennet second half Mariota and see who gels the best with the offense....Mariota needs to know the plays inside and out anyway just incase Bennet gets hurt and he needs to take over.... It'll be fun to see who shines, both kids are great athletes!

Ideally we will have a series of blowouts early in the year so both guys can get lots of playing time.

Ed O.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Exactly my thought!

 

[STOMP]

A couple years back when Darron Thomas and Nate Costa were battling, Chip said he much prefers having a clear cut starter rather then dual QBs. Maybe whoever is the backup gets some significant snaps in some blowouts, but he's going to give one guy the starting reigns.

STOMP

 

[Natebishop3]

A couple years back when Darron Thomas and Nate Costa were battling, Chip said he much prefers having a clear cut starter rather then dual QBs. Maybe whoever is the backup gets some significant snaps in some blowouts, but he's going to give one guy the starting reigns.

STOMP

And that's how it should be. I hate QB controversies.

 

[Zalsa]

It's looking very favorable for LSU's schedule. I wouldn't be surprised if they return to the Natty this year, although them replacing Jefferson(since he's such a hack) could be a problem.

Possible Natty rematch if Ducks oust USC? Oklahoma will choke, and this is assuming LSU knocks off Alabama.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

With our schedule next year, starting with 4 patsies, our QB will be well experienced for the remainder of the season. We have a chance of a 0 or 1 loss season.

 

[STOMP]

With our schedule next year, starting with 4 patsies, our QB will be well experienced for the remainder of the season. We have a chance of a 0 or 1 loss season.

we've been very fortunate avoiding significant injuries the last few years. Hopefully that continues, but it's not a given

STOMP

 

[Zalsa]

With our schedule next year, starting with 4 patsies, our QB will be well experienced for the remainder of the season. We have a chance of a 0 or 1 loss season.

And one loss could take us out of the Rose/Natty picture, mainly because of USC. We're #6 right now and the teams above us, Georgia, Oklahoma, LSU, Bama, and USC.
Georgia-The only threats they're facing are SCAR and possibly Florida. Other than that, easy in into the SEC Title game, and the only way for them to drop is to choke or lose to SCAR or Florida.

Oklahoma- Will need OSU, Kansas State, and Baylor to knock these guys out. Although they are known to choke...

LSU- Possible fall out thanks to Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, or Auburn. But they beat those guys, it's a clear shot to the Natty for these guys unfortunately.

Alabama- We need help from Michigan to knock off the Tide in their first game, as well as Arkansas. Texas A&M hopefully can do something, and the LSU game with them is up for grabs. In addition, the famous Iron Bowl will have me rooting for War Eagle.

USC-A breeze for the Trojans except for the Ducks. Unless Washington and Utah show up, it's a roll for Barkley.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Don't be shocked it USC trips against Syracuse and Stanford before we get to um! Syracuse is a tough place to play, that stadium has caused teams fits.... and Stanford in my eyes got one hell of a great recruiting class and it's a home game for them too!

I'll also be interested to see how Shaq does against their recievers at UW......

 

[Zalsa]

Don't be shocked it USC trips against Syracuse and Stanford before we get to um! Syracuse is a tough place to play, that stadium has caused teams fits.... and Stanford in my eyes got one hell of a great recruiting class and it's a home game for them too!

I'll also be interested to see how Shaq does against their recievers at UW......

If USC loses to an unranked Syracuse, they'll drop in the rankings but still be in the top 10. In retrospect, I'd rather them going to the Natty than an SEC team.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Syracuse beat West Virginia last year and didn't lose by very many to USC in the coliseum ....

As for the National Championship you seem to never mention the Ducks why? Last time I looked USC escaped Autzen last year and we beat their ASSES by 20 the last two years in a row before that! I think Barkley was their QB then too!

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

we've been very fortunate avoiding significant injuries the last few years. Hopefully that continues, but it's not a given

STOMP

True. But that's also where our depth comes in to play.

 

[Zalsa]

Syracuse beat West Virginia last year and didn't lose by very many to USC in the coliseum ....

As for the National Championship you seem to never mention the Ducks why? Last time I looked USC escaped Autzen last year and we beat their ASSES by 20 the last two years in a row before that! I think Barkley was their QB then too!

I didn't mention the Ducks in the Natty because the country's coaches have a hard-on for the SEC and Barkley atm. The only way we get into the Natty would be if Syracuse beats USC, but people flock to SC due to loldynasty and even if they did lose, they would drop like 7 places and still in a prime spot to get to the Natty even with one lose.

Or only in into the Natty would be for Michigan to beat Alabama at the start of the year, LSU and the SEC West to beat each other up, and from there our only competition would be:
USC, West Virginia, Georgia, and possibly Michigan.

Or who knows, maybe Urban Meyer may take OSU to #1 or #2 and due to lolbowlban we would have a #3 going into it. It's too early.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I'm not thinking natty too much due to our schedule. We would have to go undefeated. Was it Georgia that backed out on us?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm not thinking natty too much due to our schedule. We would have to go undefeated.

Shouldn't that be the assumption any time we're talking about shooting for the NCG? Anyone outside the SEC is going to have a tough time getting in to the title game with a loss.

At this point in Oregon's progression as a program, I would think that a weak schedule should no longer be an issue.

• National profile
• 3-straight BCS games
• Title game appearance 2 years ago
• 5 losses in 3 years

Any team with that resume going into a season should be a lock for the title game if they run the table. The only "issue" with our schedule is USC's presence on it.

 

[LikeLamike]

Aside from the Fact that we have to travel to USC.. I don't see any advantage for USC over Oregon aside from QB and WR positions. Oregon has a better run game and I think will be just as good on defense as USC.

 

[STOMP]

Aside from the Fact that we have to travel to USC.. I don't see any advantage for USC over Oregon aside from QB and WR positions. Oregon has a better run game and I think will be just as good on defense as USC.

that game is so late in the season, who knows what advantages will have shaken out? The 3 preceding weekends for UO feature a bye week @ASU & @Autzen vs the Buffs... hardly a gauntlet

STOMP

 

[LikeLamike]

that game is so late in the season, who knows what advantages will have shaken out? The 3 preceding weekends for UO feature a bye week @ASU & @Autzen vs the Buffs... hardly a gauntlet

STOMP

I just feel like our secondary won't allow 50 yard bombs this year. which is what killed us last year.

 

[STOMP]

I just feel like our secondary won't allow 50 yard bombs this year. which is what killed us last year.

Barkley was putting the ball on the money despite good coverage IMO. Missing our best pass rusher (Dion Jordan) for most of that game allowed the time for guys to get deep. The D-Line should be even better next year as they're older overall + deeper. Pressuring MB is definitely a key

STOMP

 

[Ghost Pepper]

We've beaten Barkley 2-3 times..... I think we'll get to him again......

 

[LikeLamike]

I really think it was just bad coverage and the fact our CB's were in Solo coverage on guys taller and more athletic than they were.

 

[LikeLamike]

[video]
Throw was behind the reciever even after he got atleast 2 steps on Troy Hill.. MB throws it short and gives Troy Hill a chance to break it up.. he doesn't turn and look for the ball to swat it.. and hes to short to get his arm in there and deflect the ball.

 

[STOMP]

I really think it was just bad coverage and the fact our CB's were in Solo coverage on guys taller and more athletic than they were.

that will be the case again next year... their receivers are elite athletes and we will continue to put our CBs in solo coverage at times. Hopefully we're generating more pressure on Barkley then in your highlight

STOMP

 

[LikeLamike]

Our Secondary has much room for improvement.. What do these guys need to improve on? The only place they can go is down.