2011 Oregon Football Predictions
Written by Steve Janus
The Oregon Ducks came up just short in the BCS National Championship Game against Auburn last year,but it really was a remarkable season for head coach Chip Kelly and his players. For most of the season the Ducks walked all over their opponents. The combination of terrific defense and a lightning quick tempo on offense made it very difficult for teams to keep it close. The focus now turns to the 2011 season, as the Ducks are for another shot at the title. While they have just 11 starters back from their incredible 2010 season, this team is more than talented enough to put together another undefeated season.
With so few starters back, the Ducks will have a number of new faces that will have to step up and make big plays on both sides of the ball. Let’s take a look at just who they will be sending to the field on offense and defense, plus I will give my prediction on where I see them finishing the year in the PAC-12.
Offense:
There were question marks surrounding the starting quarterback position heading into last season with the departure of Jeremiah Masoli, but sophomore Darron Thomas stepped in and really impressed in his first season. Thomas not only threw for 2,881 yards with 30 touchdowns to just nine interceptions, but he was third on the team with 486 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Look for Thomas to put up even bigger numbers in his junior season.
The Ducks also bring back junior running back LaMichael James, who finished second to Cam Newton in the Heisman voting last year. James had a monster sophomore season with 1,731 yards and 21 touchdowns. James doesn’t figure to slow down any in 2011, and will have a great shot at capturing the Heisman Trophy this season. Oregon also brings back junior Kenjon Barner, who was second on the team with 551 yards and six touchdowns, but he could actually see his carries dropped with the additions of redshirt freshman Lache Seastrunk and true freshman De’Anthony Thomas.
Oregon does lose some big time talent at wide receiver, as they must replace their top two threats in Jeff Maehl (77 catches, 1,076 yards, 12 TDs) and D.J. Davis (42 catches, 470 yards, 3 TDs). That leaves senior tight end David Paulson as the top passing option back from 2010. Paulson caught 24 passes for 418 yards and four scores. Senior Lavasier Tuinei had a solid junior season with 36 catches for 396 yards and will be counted on to be an even bigger part of the offense in 2011. Added to the mis will be junior college transfer Rahsaan Vaughn and two highly regarded freshmen in Devon Blackmon and Colt Lyeria.
The Ducks have a few holes to fill on the offensive line with the loss of center Jordan Holmes, right guard C.E. Kasier, and left tackle Bo Thran. Even with the losses the Ducks figure to have one of the top lines in the conference. Sophomore Karrington Armstrong is expected to take over at center, junior college transfer Ryan Clanton will be the new right guard, and senior Darrion Weems will step in and likely start at left tackle.
Defense:
While the Ducks have all kinds of talent back on the offensive end, they have some big holes to feel on defense. Up front the only starter back on the defensive line is senior defensive end Terrell Turner. Fellow senior Brandon Hanna is the leading candidate to take over at the other end spot, while sophomores Ricky Heimuli and Taylor Hart will likely open the year at the two defensive tackle spots. While the Ducks don’t need a whole lot of defense to win games, this unit must perform well to keep the defense off the field for extended periods of time.
The Ducks also figure to feel the loss of middle linebacker Casey Matthews and outside linebacker Spencer Paysinger. Matthews led the team in tackles with 79 and Paysinger was third with 76. Senior Josh Kaddu is back at the other outside linebacker spot, but he had just 32 tackles last year. Freshman Anthony Wallace will take over for Matthews in the middle, and the Ducks are really high on this kid. Junior Michael Clay had 42 tackles in backup action last year, and should fill in nicely at the open outside linebacker spot.
Oregon should see some big improvements against the pass this season. They return two of the best defensive backs in the conference in junior corner Cliff Harris and junior free safety John Boyett. Harris led the team with six interceptions as a sophomore, and Boyett was second on the team with five interceptions and is the top tackler (78) back from 2010. Senior Eddie Pleasant returns at strong safety, while senior Anthony Gildon is expect to take over at the other corner.
PAC-12 Prediction: 2nd PAC-12 North – The only team that figures to stand in the way of the Ducks this season is the Stanford Cardinal. Last year the Ducks were able to mount a big comeback against Stanford at home, but this year I think the Cardinal will get revenge on their home field. It’s unfortunate that the top two teams in the conference are in the same division. We will find out just how good this Oregon team is when they oipen the season against a highly rated LSU team out of the SEC.
Other Resources:
- Kyle Hunter – sees Oregon contending again for the national title.
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