College Football '09: Oregon Ducks

Last Season: 10-3, 7-2, lost to Oklahoma State in the Pacific Life Bowl

Coaches Poll: 14


On top of trying to patch up a defense that lost some key starters, the Oregon Ducks are in the process of learning the ins and outs of a new head coach. Sure, the face is familiar. After all, Chip Kelly was the offensive coordinator under the retired Mike Bellotti, but a coach always has a new aura about him when he finally gains full control. Just because you can coordinate an offense, doesn't mean you have the chops to run the whole show.

Chief among Kelly's concerns will be the defense he is charged with rebuilding. Granted, there is no grad Oregon defensive tradition to live up to. Last year, the Ducks allowed over 28 points and 389 yards per game. Theoretically, rebuilding to what the Ducks were will not be all that difficult. In fact, some would say that Kelly is charged with not only rebuilding the defense, but taking in to levels unseen in recent year.

Regardless, any time you loose most of the defensive core, their will be some sort of adjustment. The biggest losses come on the defensive line. Nick Green is gone. Green was a outstanding pass rusher and first team all league player. Either Kenny Rowe or junior college transfer Zac Clark will be filling Green's spot. But can Oregon count on either to be nearly as dominant as Nick Green? That’s a major question.

Zac Clark is not the only junior college player that the Oregon defense will be counting on this season. Terrence Montgomery will also have a big role at the tackle position.

No doubt this defensive line is the biggest issue for the Ducks. Will Tukuafu is the only starter returning from the defensive line.

The linebacker position is where the least amount of hurt is felt. Both Spencer Paysinger and Casey Matthews are returning.

In the secondary, corner Walter Thurmand and T.J Ward return. Thurmand is one of the better corners in the conference and must show it this year. Jairus Byrd and Patrick Chung are both huge losses for the secondary. Marvin Johnson is expected to replace Chung, but it would be hard to imagine his production being anything less than a major downgrade in his first season taking over for Chung.

Rebuilding the defense will be quite a task for Chip Kelly. A task that could potentially mean a missed opportunity in a Pac-10 that is as “wide open” (relative term) as it’s been in years.

One position where question marks are not a story is quarterback. Jeremiah Masoli, while not the most efficient passer in the country, is more then apt to run the spread. Masoli amassed just under sixty yards a game with his legs last year.

Despite loosing Terrance Scott, the receiving core has a chance to be solid. Jeff Maehl is the returning stat leader. Maehl caught 39 passes for 421 yards and five touchdowns. He is joined by Jamere Holland and two promising junior college transfers. One of those transfers, Tyrece Gaines was the number one junior college receiver last year. Don’t sleep on Holland either. The junior is a USC transfer with blazing speed. He once ran a 10.36 100-meter.

But the most exciting player on the Duck offense is running back LeGarrette Blount. Blount ran for just over 1000 yards last year and found the end zone 17 times. However, two interesting storyline surround Blount.

First, the loss of his rushing partner. How much will Jeremiah Johnson’s absence affect Blount? He will now be the main back.

Second, how will this offensive line hold up? It took a big hit after last season when Max Unger and Fenuki Tupou left town.

While I think Blount and the rest of this offense will be fine, the line is a question mark worth keeping an eye on.

3 Games To Watch

September 3rd- @ Boise State- A tough conference schedule doesn’t see any relief from this out of conference match up. Boise State topped the Ducks last season and will need every game to be serious BCS contenders again. I’m not sure that the Duck defense will be ready for the Bronco offense.

September 19th- Utah- It’s hard to pick just three games off this schedule, but Utah could realistically see Oregon drop their second game of the season before they get to conference play. Uh-oh

September 26- California- I picked this as my third because the USC game may not matter all that much if Oregon drops a few early. They may need this game desperately to stay in contention for anything….and it’s not even October yet.


Jordan Lauterbach