As we’re just days away from the kickoff of the 2012 college football season, the Rant Sports 100 in 100 college football preview series which has spanned the summer is winding down.
Today we take a look at the No. 4 team on our poll, the Oregon Ducks.
Coming off a 12-2 finish which culminated in a 45-38 Rose Bowl victory over the RS No. 16 Wisconsin Badgers, the Ducks are as loaded as they’ve ever been under coach Chip Kelly.
Let’s take a look at each element of the Oregon roster:
Impact Players
Offense
The patented Oregon read-option is an absolute terror for opposing defensive coordinators, and things certainly won’t be any easier for them in 2012.
Led by redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota, the Ducks should put up points in bunches again this fall, both through the air and with their patented quick-hit running attack, led by one of the nation’s best in Kenjon Barner– who shouldn’t skip a beat in making up for the lost production left with the departure of LaMichael James to the NFL.
Along with Barner, first-tier slasher De’Anthony Thomas should see quick sweep looks in the running game and also targets out of the slot when the Ducks go with empty sets. Not only will Thomas see multiple touches in the traditional offensive sets, he will also be a factor in the return game as well as he is listed on the depth chart as one of two kick returners along with sophomore Josh Huff.
This high-powered trio will be a constant nightmare for defenses across the country– not just in the PAC 12– and are certain to carry the Ducks to plenty of wins on their backs alone.
Junior wideout Huff and redshirt freshman Devon Blackmon are certain to add their share of highlight moments as well and step up the production when needed should one of the Big Three have an off night.
Defense
Arik Armstead. Remember that name.
While the mammoth 6’8″, 300 pound true freshman defensive end may not have an instant impact, he has just the type of imposing, intimidating presence for which the Ducks have been searching for some time.
Helping set that aggressive tone will be the Oregon linebacking unit– which along with the RS No. 15 Texas Longhorns– may have one of the best linebacking units in college football. Led by Michael Clay, Kiko Alonso and Boseko Lokombo, the Ducks will be all over the backfield this fall and should be a huge headache.
The defensive line returns six members, including stalwarts Taylor Hart and Dion Jordan, and should be augmented nicely by the emergence of Ricky Heimuli Jr. and the aforementioned Armstead.
The Oregon secondary is led by senior free safety John Boyett who led the 2011 Ducks in tackles with 108 (3 TFL). Boyett will be anchored at rover by junior Adrian Patterson Jr. Sophomores Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and Terrence Mitchell round out a defensive unit which should be greatly improved overall from last season.
Schedule
There’s always a trap game lurking around the corner in the PAC-12, and Oregon’s 2012 schedule certainly has its share of them.
After a relatively easy three week open to the schedule with home tilts against the RS No. 86 Arkansas Red Wolves, the RS No. 94 Fresno State Bulldogs, and a Tennessee Tech team which just got an interesting shot in the arm with the transfer of Tennessee castoff Da’Rick Rodgers. All three games should be relatively easy wins that won’t pose much of a challenge.
The first conference game of the season brings the RS No. 72 Arizona Wildcats to town– a game which again shouldn’t present much of a challenge.
Things get interesting in week 5 however, when the Ducks play an upstart Washington State Cougars team in Seattle then face the Washington Huskies on home turf. Either of these games could lead to an early surprise loss fo the Ducks, but the most glaring challenge on the schedule comes on November 3rd against the USC Trojans.
A game which is almost certain to have National Championship implications in one fashion or another, the Oregon/USC tilt should be one for the ages.
Oregon is unquestionably one of the best five teams in college football prior to the kickoff of the 2012 season.
The question is– can they stay there?
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Kris Hughes is the College Football Network Manager for Rant Sports and a member of the Football Writers Association of America.
You can follow him on Twitter or check out his Facebook page.
Kris is also the host of Rant Sports Radio on the Blog Talk Radio Network Wednesday evenings at 8 Central Time.
