Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Following the 2013 season, the Oregon Ducks lost head coach Chip Kelly to the NFL. However, new head coach Mark Helfrich entered into the position with a full cupboard of ingredients that can be used to make a national title team. Coming off a 12-1 season and a week one 66-3 win, the Ducks are poised to get to the top of the college football world.
On the other side of the field, the Virginia Cavaliers are coming off a week one victory against the tough BYU Cougars. The offense wasn’t anything to drool over after week one, winning just 19-16, but the Cavaliers will take any win they can get.
Oregon’s offense is one of the best in the nation — as it has been for years. Sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota is one of those guys that can contend for the Heisman and his 234 yards and a touchdown won’t hurt the hype. Running back De’Anthony Thomas played well in week one as well, running for 128 yards on 18 carries and two scores. This offense is scary good.
Virginia has a poor offense to say the least. Racking up just 223 yards of total offense against BYU in week one was a mediocre effort to say the least. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, David Watford is not exactly the most talented quarterback out there, passing for 114 yards on 18 for 32 passing with a touchdown and an interception.
Oregon’s defense did allow 343 yards to Nicholls State in week one, but returning seven starters on that side of the ball from a 44th ranked defense a year ago will help big time. Virginia’s defense had the same luck in week one as they allowed 362 yards of offense to BYU. The difference? The Cavaliers had the ball 10 minutes longer than the Cougars.
Oregon will travel to Virginia to take on the Cavaliers in a week two battle at 3:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Sept. 7. The game will be broadcasted on ABC and ESPN 2.
PREDICTION: Oregon 45, Virginia 10
Related: Oregon Season Preview
De’Anthony Thomas Player Profile
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
