Excellent breakdown of the Ducks.

[Wheels]

Do your self a favor and read this pretty good sized article. Some tidbits.

Coaching
Chip Kelly (New Hampshire ’90), 34-6 after three seasons as the Oregon head coach. Let’s see: 10, 12, 12 – wins, that is. He inherited an enviable position: a program still in its prime with a deep, talented roster well suited to his offensive system. But with this position came high expectations, thanks to his predecessor’s level of success. Still, a large portion of Oregon’s success even prior to Kelly’s amazing run as head coach (29-10 from 2007-9) must be attributed to the job Kelly did with the offense, which rose from merely explosive to the most dangerous dual-threat attack in the country. Each of the past three years has seen Oregon set new school records in scoring, and the 2008 Ducks set new school marks in rushing touchdowns (47) and total touchdowns (71). The 2007 season, however, may have been Kelly’s best work; the Ducks went through four starting quarterbacks over their final four games but still managed to finish sixth nationally in rushing and lead the Pac-12 in scoring and total offense. The following year’s unit showed just what the offense is capable of with the proper personnel; ditto with 2009, ditto with 2010 and 2011 – particularly last fall
...

The Ducks lose a legend in James, who I would rank as the greatest offensive player in school history, but there’s a bigger issue facing this backfield: depth – a lack thereof, rather. Senior Kenjon Barner (939 yards and 11 touchdowns) will replace James, not just in the lineup but also in terms of production, though Barner won’t quite match the former starter’s 1,805-yard junior season. Where you’ll see the biggest decline is in the number of big plays, as Barner does not possess the same straight-line speed as did his predecessor. If all goes according to plan, Oregon will spell Barner – who is still an all-conference lock – with sophomore Ayele Ford (176 yards) and true freshman Byron Marshall. If there is a question, it’s whether an option like Marshall can serve as the short-yardage back, if push comes to shove. And remember this: Oregon is going to get much, much more production in the running game from the quarterback position.

...

There is no more electric player in college football. No other player can change games with one single play – and no other player can change a game in so many different ways. He’ll see more time in the backfield this fall, but he’s not a 15-carry back; Thomas will break your back with eight carries, one of which will travel 50-plus yards. He’s a threat for six every time the ball touches his hands, whether coming off the edge on a sweep, running a deep post, catching a screen or returning a kickoff. Thomas is absolutely, positively, terrifyingly dynamic. How do you stop him? You don’t. All you can do is close your eyes, say your prayers and hope that he trips. In Thomas, the Ducks have one of the best players in college football...

There are no weaknesses on this defense. And that’s important to keep in mind, for one key reason: Oregon’s defense doesn’t need to be dominant, just steady and opportunistic – the defense can’t be like it was in the Rose Bowl, when he it simply allowed one touchdown less than the Ducks scored, but with this offense in place, the defense simply needs to make things difficult for opposing offenses inside and out of Pac-12 play. But don’t think for a minute that this is all the defense can do: Oregon can do much, much more, likely moving from middle-of-the-pack status in this league into one of the Pac-12′s top two units.

http://www.presnapread.com/no-2-oregon/

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

A very excellent and comprehensive article.

 

[THE HCP]

Sitting at O'Hare in Chicago...... Pissed I won't be able to watch tomorrow.....GO DUCKS!!!!!

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Sitting at O'Hare in Chicago...... Pissed I won't be able to watch tomorrow.....GO DUCKS!!!!!

Not to worry, you're here with your wife & I in spirit.