Sporting News College football preseason Top 25

[SlyPokerDog]

11. Oregon Ducks

If any other team lost the school’s all-time leading rusher (LaMichael James) and its all-time leader in touchdown passes (Darron Thomas), there would be major concerns. That’s not the case at Oregon. The Ducks do have to find a quarterback and get some receivers to grow up, but they are still talented enough to challenge for the Pac-12 and national titles.

After all, they do still have De’Anthony Thomas, an explosive player who can break away for big gains as a receiver or out of the backfield. Running back Kenjon Barner would already be a star on any other team. The linebacker corps, led by Michael Clay, is talented. Incoming true freshman Arik Armstead, at 6-8 and 297 pounds, should make an immediate impact.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-fo...top-25-rankings-sporting-news-lsu-alabama-usc

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I think #11 is a good place to start.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

I think Mariota is a massive upgrade from D Thomas, further we are sooooooo deep at TE's we're actually having to move some of them to DE's now! Let's not forget we have some serious studs that were redshirted who are now ready to rock, and Stanford and Brown are about to suit up!

If that's our question mark? I couldn't be happier!

 

[Zalsa]

#11 sounds about right for the Ducks.

I'm surprised WVU is #25. That team should be in the top 10 given it's Offensive juggernaut is returning.

 

[STOMP]

I think Mariota is a massive upgrade from D Thomas, further we are sooooooo deep at TE's we're actually having to move some of them to DE's now! Let's not forget we have some serious studs that were redshirted who are now ready to rock, and Stanford and Brown are about to suit up!

Regarding TEs... Redshirt Freshman Christian French has apparently switched over to play DE/Outside LB. Conversely Redshirt Freshman Koa Ka'ai has apparently left the ranks of DEs and is now expected to compete at TE. True Freshman Evan Baylis is likely to be the main backup to Colt this season as (like Arik A.) he was an early entry kid who impressed the coaches this past Spring. Junior walkon Brian Teague probably is the 4th guy in the mix. I'll guess that Pharaoh Brown and Stanford Redshirt this year, but Dwayne is a WR not a TE... dude weighed 185 pounds his Sr. year of HS

In both his HS highlight tape and then in the Spring game, Mariota has seemed better then merely good... he's seemed special. That said, our exposure to his abilities is pretty limited and Bryan Bennett has shown he's plenty capable too. I'm sure Kelly will make the right call. Whoever wins out will be winging it to the most highly touted & fastest WRs in program history. Among others, I'm really looking forward to seeing Tacoi

[video=youtube;yoNa1NreGkc]

STOMP

 

[STOMP]

#11 sounds about right for the Ducks.

I'm more optimistic about this year's Ducks then I've been for any other season, so my feeling is it's too low. Their lines look in great shape and eye-popping bigger, faster talents are taking over at the skill positions. If they get = or >DThomas QB play & avoid key injuries they should crush

STOMP

 

[Zalsa]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/usatpoll.htm

Oregon is ranked 5th, whereas LSU and Alabama are ranked 1 and 2nd respectively. USC is 3rd.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/usatpoll.htm

Oregon is ranked 5th, whereas LSU and Alabama are ranked 1 and 2nd respectively. USC is 3rd.

5th is way too high this early in the season.

But nice to see us still getting respect from the other coaches.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

I'm happy at the 5-7 range.... There are only in my eyes three teams that want anything we have to offer... LSU, Bama and USC! Every other team in this country can't run with us nor want to..... which is why we're playing Chemeketa for our first 5 games....

Our defensive line is going to be massive.... Think of this... Dion 6'7, AA 6'8, Bair 6'9 and Cody 6'6, Buckner 6'7........ That's a basketball team..... I see a ton of balls being swatted down for years to come......Oh and these are our "LIGHT" guys.... our DT's are 300 + and 6'4....

Oregon will have 5-6 games to get their groove going Sept through end of Oct and much like how we play, will pick up the pace every game till we win our 4th straight Pac-12 championship!

 

[Zalsa]

Why do I smell "Game of the Century" 2 when Nov 3 comes around in LA?

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Stomp,

I like both our QB's but Mariota has a calm and presence you just can't teach. I liken him to a college version of Dan Marino with Steve Young speed. That said Bennett is no slouch, but holy smokes, Bennet could play LB for us just as easy, looks like he's put on 25 pounds of muscle and starts walking like a LB too!

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Nov 3rd is the biggest game of the year! It will put one Pac-12 team in the national championship and one in the Rose Bowl!

Think about this, next year Oregon could have to play USC 3 times in one year under the new playoff system, if we kept the schedule we do today?

Side note question? Next year we play UCLA not USC in season right? So if both of us are undefeated who gets home field for Pac-12 championship?

 

[Zalsa]

Depends on strength of schedule(or maybe a coin flip idk). Besides, USC is not going undefeated next year. They are losing a lot of talent to the draft

 

[Ghost Pepper]

They play in a no talent Pac-12 south......The have a great recruiting class coming in..... they'll be right there!

 

[Zalsa]

Wittek doesn't look like a starter, yet Max Browne is. Best case for USC: 9:3. They lose to ND, Oregon, and some other team.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

We don't play them next year, we play UCLA.... they'll beat the Irish with ease....... I'd say bt 14.....

 

[Zalsa]

And the irish has a good D and Gunner Kiel may start next year, and he was one of the best QBs in his class.

 

[STOMP]

Stomp,

I like both our QB's but Mariota has a calm and presence you just can't teach. I liken him to a college version of Dan Marino with Steve Young speed. That said Bennett is no slouch, but holy smokes, Bennet could play LB for us just as easy, looks like he's put on 25 pounds of muscle and starts walking like a LB too!

I've a friend who played on the Ducks scout team in 2009 & 2010 who got an up close look of how good Bryan is. We have a small wager riding on who is named the starting QB... I've got Mariota. I'm very excited/optimistic about him. I prefer a blend of Joe Montana feel with Dennis Dixon's size & athleticism but thats just me

STOMP

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I'm more optimistic about this year's Ducks then I've been for any other season, so my feeling is it's too low. Their lines look in great shape and eye-popping bigger, faster talents are taking over at the skill positions. If they get = or >DThomas QB play & avoid key injuries they should crush

STOMP

Yeah but an inexperienced QB, questionable WR position and durability issues with our starting TB are enough reasons for me. We also have no one to run well between the tackles which will allow teams to really take away our outside running threat which is our strongest.

 

[STOMP]

Yeah but an inexperienced QB,

Both Mariota & Bennett ran spread attacks based on Oregon's in High School and both were Early Entry guys. Besides that, remind me of how they did the last few times with an inexperienced QB under Kelly.

questionable WR position

questionable? really? Huff toughed it out last year playing through a stress fracture so it only makes sense that he's going to be a lot better now that he's healthy. They've a bevy of other players with experience, speed & size plus the touted Redshirt Freshman

...and durability issues with our starting TB are enough reasons for me. We also have no one to run well between the tackles which will allow teams to really take away our outside running threat which is our strongest.

I know you like to worry but even for you this is silly. Kenyon is a proven 200 lb. all around stud running inside & out + catching the ball. Wasn't DAT's 90+ yard Rose Bowl TD run between the tackles? I keep hearing glowing reports about Byron Marshall's readiness to play too. He's reported to be in Eugene this summer working out with the guys daily.

STOMP

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Stomp,

I'm saying it right now! Mariota will be the #1 QB in the country by his junior year! This being his first real year that is! This kid just knows how to win and he doesn't get rattled plus to be this good for as little as he's started tells me he's just starting to find his groove! Great things to come!

Blazer Prophet,

If Barner doesn't bang hard enough for you in between the tackles, I have this very strong feeling that Marshall will. He's 5'10 and damn near 200....

Side note......


I love that Tyner is coming here next year but if I have a worry it's that he may have a hamstring issues.... If he's healthy he's all that, but I imagine that's why Green still has us on his list! Green could be the FB bruising type of back that Oregon has always needed!

 

[Zalsa]

Mariota has what it takes to be like Big Ben from Pittsburgh. Put up great numbers at low amounts (15/20 for 200+ yards and 2 TDs passing) and nearly 100 yards on the ground and a TD or two. Having the WRs and Oregon's awesome RB core only enhance those stats.

I believe in Chip to make the right call, but I would lean towards Mariota for future success and to stay in Oregon a lil while longer, even if we have a possible Gang Green 2.0 in development

 

[Ghost Pepper]

I'd let Bennett play LB if QB doesn't work out cause this kid can move and lay paint!

 

[LikeLamike]

I'm gonna laugh if bennett is the starter.. He did attend Peyton Manning's camp and received a glowing report about his athleticism, conditioning, and how his arm is a cannon. I still like Bennett's chances at taking over. You guys are reading into one spring game way to much.

 

[STOMP]

I'm gonna laugh if bennett is the starter.. He did attend Peyton Manning's camp and received a glowing report about his athleticism, conditioning, and how his arm is a cannon. I still like Bennett's chances at taking over. You guys are reading into one spring game way to much.

of course there were also the glowing quotes from Chip last year following the Spring and Fall camps about how as a true freshman Marcus was really pressing BB for the backup spot. Another part of my reading the tea leaves is his HS coach's quotes raving about how both athletically and mentally MM was the best of 4 D1 QBs he's had. His high HS GPA and general composure speaks to a bright guy with the right sort of mentality, and of course there is his ridiculous highlight tape too. So no, I don't think my optimism about Marcus is based on just one Spring game.

Rereading my comments here I also gave high compliments to Bennett, noted the fans lack of overall access to accurately evaluate the two, & said I thought Kelly would make the right call on who it should be. Honestly I'll be every bit as happy if Bryan wins the job

STOMP

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Stomp, to think a HS QB is going to step in and lead a college team to the promised land is pretty far fetched. Not impossible, but I think you see the world thru Duck colored glasses. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but don't let Duck myopia get in your way of clear headed thinking.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

My thoughts are Bennett although more seasoned by a year and 2 whole games started against some pretty awful teams is that he plays football like a LB does. Meaning full of emotions highs and lows.... his tell are those same emotions. Can he turn off the bad and find the good when he makes a mistake and be "MENTALLY" ready to go when the next series begins? That's a must because he will make mistakes, can he forget those mistakes and not beat himself up to be effective again very quickly at this high of a level?

That's the poise I"m talking about with Mariota, he seems unflappable and his focus is that of an elite QB. That's why I think he's a rare find! You can't teach poise!

I'm not saying Bennett isn't in great shape, doesn't have a great arm, and can't be a huge vocal leader as the QB, but his emotions have to be in check at this level and that's where I'm not sold yet!

There's still a few months to go though......

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

My thoughts are Bennett although more seasoned by a year and 2 whole games started against some pretty awful teams is that he plays football like a LB does. Meaning full of emotions highs and lows.... his tell are those same emotions. Can he turn off the bad and find the good when he makes a mistake and be "MENTALLY" ready to go when the next series begins? That's a must because he will make mistakes, can he forget those mistakes and not beat himself up to be effective again very quickly at this high of a level?

That's the poise I"m talking about with Mariota, he seems unflappable and his focus is that of an elite QB. That's why I think he's a rare find! You can't teach poise!

I'm not saying Bennett isn't in great shape, doesn't have a great arm, and can't be a huge vocal leader as the QB, but his emotions have to be in check at this level and that's where I'm not sold yet!

There's still a few months to go though......

At least there are 5 tomato cans before we play anyone decent and the new QB can find his comfort zone.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Agreed! To be honest I think they both should start one game against these community colleges and then we can make a fair an unbiased decision.

My feeling is Mariota wins and we win again because if I was Chip i'd know who my next years LB would be to take over for Kiko..... Bennett doesn't know it yet but he's a LB.....

Please don't sleep on the Tennessee Tech Wart Dogs they pack a bite!

 

[STOMP]

Stomp, to think a HS QB is going to step in and lead a college team to the promised land is pretty far fetched. Not impossible, but I think you see the world thru Duck colored glasses. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but don't let Duck myopia get in your way of clear headed thinking.

Remember last year throughout the offseason when you kept pissing your pants telling everyone to expect the new center to be making several bad snaps a game? How did that work out for you Mr. Clear? That you dodged my question about how the Ducks did the last couple times they were breaking in a new QB to call me myopic is pretty weak

STOMP