5 Changes Oregon Ducks Need to Make for 2015 Season

By Mark Boone

5 Changes the Ducks Need to Make for 2015 Season

Oregon Ducks Mark Helfrich
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

In the wake of a thrashing by Ohio State during the national championship game, coach Mark Helfrich and the Ducks will be going back to the drawing board in hope to make some corrections for the 2015 season. There’s a lot of changes they must address if they plan to avoid a repeat of this postseason’s outcome. Here are five changes they should consider.

5. Oregon's offense needs to adapt to physicality

Dwayne Stanford Oregon
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

5. Oregon's offense needs to adapt to physicality

Dwayne Stanford Oregon
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks are known for their no-huddle, speedy running game. All too often, they are able to shove this strategy down the throats of the defense. Unfortunately, it’s not a "one size fits all" plan of attack. Ohio State for example, has a very physical defense that repeated thwarted Oregon's speed bursts. Even QB Marcus Mariota felt their physicality as he slowly got up off the ground during one play.

4. Ducks will need to rebuild the offensive line

Oregon Ducks Offensive line
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

4. Ducks will need to rebuild the offensive line

Oregon Ducks Offensive line
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks O-Line has done an exceptional job protecting the backfield. Unfortunately, it will be losing three seniors who were all key contributors on the line of scrimmage. Jake Fisher, Hamani Stevens and Hroniss Grasu will all have to be replaced.

3. The Ducks have a lot of growing to do on defense

Oregon and Ohio State
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

3. The Ducks have a lot of growing to do on defense

Oregon and Ohio State
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Most of the time, Oregon’s defense is pretty good – at least it appears that way. However, when it is facing a tough and physical offense, it simply falls apart. In order to ensure that they don’t relive such a brutal whipping dished out by Ohio State, the Ducks had better toughen up their defensive play for the 2015 season.

2. Oregon will need to get better at turning turnovers into points

Oregon and Ohio State national championship
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

2. Oregon will need to get better at turning turnovers into points

Oregon and Ohio State national championship
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

One of the many reasons Oregon lost against Ohio State was because it could not convert turnovers into points. It recovered at least four turnovers during the game against Ohio State, but was unable to create any points from them.

1. The Ducks have to improve their third down conversion ratio when playing tough teams

Oregon Ducks Charles Nelson
John David Mercer

1. The Ducks have to improve their third down conversion ratio when playing tough teams

Oregon Ducks Charles Nelson
John David Mercer

Out of 12 third down opportunities, the Ducks were only able to convert two of them. Sure, Mariota is a great quarterback, but he can only do so much. Oregon is now almost 20 years removed from its last national championship. If it ever plans to see one anytime soon, it will have to convert way more than just two.

Mark Boone is a sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarkBoone99, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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