 "Photo: Dave Martinez/The Oregon Daily Emerald")
If GQ were to put out a fall 2009 lineup of “college football’s most fashionable jerseys,” the Oregon Ducks would be on top of the list just as Justin Timberlake was the “Most Stylish” man of 2008.
It’s a love/hate relationship with the Oregon jerseys, or Justin Timberlake for that matter, but that will not stop the Ducks from putting out one college football’s most interesting wardrobe selection this season. The Ducks will sport an array of cutting-edge vibrant colored jerseys on the gridiron, which will feature a diamond plate pair of wings on the players’ shoulder pads.
But they’ll need more than a pair of wings to soar above the Pac-10 this year to capture the conference crown.
Duck fans will be introduced to the Chip Kelly era this season. The former offensive coordinator for the past two years at Eugene will look to take the program to the next level, and ultimately a Pac-10 championship. The Ducks haven’t won the conference since 2001, when they had Heisman nominee Joey Harrington.
Unlike their 2001 season, Oregon has one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Oregon dropped a tough 5-point loss to the Broncos last year and will open up the season seeking revenge against Boise State at Idaho. The Ducks will then host Purdue and Utah to round out their non-conference schedule.
But all Pac-10 champion hopefuls have to go through the pesky Southern California Trojans, who have overshadowed the rest of the conference for most of this decade. The Ducks’ non-conference schedule can pay them dividends in the long run, due to the relatively weak Pac-10 conference. Oregon will get a little help from their conference schedule, hosting the Trojans, California, and in-state rival Oregon State.
The Ducks should be a fun and electrifying team to watch this season, as they will have no problem putting up yards and points on the box score. In 2008, the ducks ranked 2nd in the nation in rushing offense and 7th in total offense and scoring.
The offense should only improve under the direction of Kelly. Returning quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back LeGarrette Blount should pick up where they left off last-season, and will look to have a monster season.
The Achilles heel of Oregon last season was the pass defense, which ranked 111th in the nation. Even with cornerback Walter Thurmond III returning for his senior year, the Ducks will have to improve on stopping the pass attack if they want to achieve any kind of success this year. Thurmond led the Ducks with five interceptions and 55 tackles last season, while also returning kicks for the special team unit.
The in-house hiring of coach Kelly will provide a familiar face and scheme for the returning athletes. They should continue where they left off last season, finishing off the year with four straight wins and a Holiday Bowl victory against Oklahoma State.
Team Name: Oregon Ducks
Head Coach: Chip Kelly
Conference: Pac-10
2008 record: 9-3
Key Players:
- LeGarrette Blount - Senior - RB
2008: 1002 yards, 17 TD, 7.3 Avg.
The 240 lbs. bruising running back set the school record for touchdowns last season as a second-string player. No telling what Blount can do this upcoming season, as he will receive the majority of touches in the running game. - Jeremiah Masoli - Junior - QB
2008: 131.9 rating, 1744 yards, 13 TD
Masoli quickly put the quarterback situation to rest last season and became a fan favorite among Oregon fans. His ability to run the ball will give opposing defensive coordinators a difficult time to prepare for the spread-option offense.
Game to watch: Oct. 31 v. USC
The first game of the season at Boise State will be compelling to watch, but it won’t make a difference in quest for a Pac-10 title. Dethroning the dominant Trojans would provide a nice cushion for the Ducks in a race for first place in the conference.
The Word on Oregon: The Ducks have Pasadena on their minds, whether it’s the national title game or the Rose Bowl. Oregon should have no problem putting up points, but can they keep their opponent from putting points up as well?
