The Oregon Ducks come off one of the most successful seasons in school history that earned first year head coach Chip Kelly Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors. Kelly was tested early as a head coach when star RB LeGarette Blount cold cocked a Boise State player after a disappointing loss in the opener. Kelly handled the ordeal well and it seemed to unify the team from that point forward as they won 10 of their final 11 games. The Ducks will fly high once again this year under a spread option attack that gained 232 ypg on the ground a year ago. Oregon will begin defending the Pac-10 crown on Sept 25th at Arizona St.
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LaMichael James was an unknown commodity to most Duck fans before last season. The former star high school RB in Texas took advantage of his opportunity in the second game against Purdue and never relinquished the starting role. He gained over 1500 yards on the ground and crossed the goal line 14 times earning the Offensive Player of the Year award in the Pac-10. The quarterback situation in Eugene is a little more bleek after the dismissal of star QB Jeremiah Masoli. The Ducks have a couple options as they can go with speed and upside in Sophomore Darron Thomas or Nate Costa and his experience. Many believe Kelly has taken a strong liking to Thomas and his 4.5 speed while believing after a redshirt year that he is ready to take over his complex offense. Expect both to see action in the home opener against New Mexico. WR Jeremy Maehl is one of the top returning wide receivers in the conference. The sure handed Senior grabbed 53 balls a season ago with an average of over 13 ypc. Oregon's biggest loss on offense is TE Ed Dickson as he gave them versatility in the passing game and was drafted in the third round by the Baltimore Ravens.
The defense at UO has always lagged behind in terms of production compared to the offense, but that all changed in 2009. Pieces have finally fell into place on this side of the ball and eight starters return for defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti. Last year, the Oregon D was stingy against the run allowing only 3.4 ypc and a measly 208 yards through the air. Gone are S TJ Ward (Cleveland Browns) and CB Walter Thurmond III (Seattle Seahawks) who were key parts of the recent success the defensive side of the ball has had. FS Sophomore John Boyett is more than capable of filling the void left by Ward as his 90 tackles led the team. CB Cliff Harris is most likely the guy that will get tested early and often in his second year with the Ducks. He did manage to start two games as a true freshman, but expect an array of balls to be thrown his direction when good quarterbacks face this defense.
Autzen Stadium is one of the toughest venues in all of college football to play because of the deafening noise level that it can reach. The key game for the Ducks will be Oct 30th at USC in what could decide the Pac-10 crown. The non conference schedule is a bit simple for a program like this, but a trip to Tennessee on Sept 11th will test their quarterback of choice. Going back to the Rose Bowl has to be the ultimate goal for this team and with a two year bowl ban handed down to USC the chances of that look bright. I predict yet another 10 win season for the Quack Attack.
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