DuckNews.com Pac-10 Preview
Don Smalley

Pac-10 football looks headed for a fair to middling type of year with even the mighty Men of Troy "answering questions" as the phrase goes. With the weight of expectations heavily tilted elsewhere (Florida and the Big XII) maybe the stage will be set for the "The Conference of Champions" to show up with a few monkey wrenches for the BCS.

In past seasons, it's been USC and the other nine and rightfully so. The Trojans have dominated the conference over the past decade with just a few hiccups here and there. They seem to always have a Heisman Trophy candidate - sometimes two on one side of the ball, the other, or both.

That won't be the case this season for the first time since the early days of the Pete Carroll era.

USC was picked to win the Pac-10 again, but this was before they named true freshman Matt Barkley as their starting quarterback. Never has a team won the conference title with a true freshman at the helm and even the mighty Trojans won't be able to pull it off this season. The Trojans have the "misfortune" in finding themselves fairly young and inexperienced while a number of teams that were pretty good last year are positioned to be even better this season.

Cal is picked second and they boast perhaps the best all-around player in tailback/returner Jahvid Best. The Bears do return Kevin Riley at quarterback, but at best his career has been inconsistent. If he can fulfill the potential the California coaching staff believes he has, the Bears will be in the title hunt. A Sept. 26 date at Autzen the Pac-10 opener for both is in truth a bigger game for the Ducks than Thursday's contest in Boise.

The Beavers are picked fourth, this year partly because OSU won't sneak by anybody this year. After a forgettable non-conference season the Beavers caught the Pac-10 with a sharp jab to the chin, competing for the conference crown up to the last game of the season.

The biggest key to the Beaver's success, Jacquizz Rodgers was an unknown and opposing defenses clearly didn't know what to do with him. at first. He won't be such an unknown quantity now and you can expect the kid will take a beating. Sean Canfield is tabbed to be the starting quarterback until Lyle Moevao comes back from rotator cuff surgery. OSU is hoping he for a return Week 3 against Cincinnati. The Beaver defense also lost a number of key components.  Combine all of the above - a questionable quarterback situation, a young offensive line and defenses keying on Rodgers, it might be a long year for the Beavers.

Selected at the five spot, Arizona State is an obvious choice to take advantage should the Beavs stumble. The Sun Devils might have the talent and the coaching staff to be a surprise team this season (never count out a Dennis Erickson-coached team.)  ASU will start senior Danny Sullivan. Although a three-year letter winner, Sullivan was Rudy Carpenter's back up, so he has only seen the field on a limited basis. The real question for the Sun Devils is the offensive line. That shouldn't be the case when you have four returning members of the unit. but remember the beating every defense enjoyed giving Carpenter last season. Yeah. that was those guys. If they can protect Sullivan, the Sun Devil defense will keep them close enough to win a few more ballgames than they were able to last season. The Devil D returns six starters, including Dexter Davis, the Pac-10's leading sack producer. He has 21.5 sacks over the past two seasons.

Stanford is next in the sixth spot and although the Cardinal have the capabilities to be a giant killer at times, they have not been consistent enough week to week to climb the conference ladder. Thus they have been stuck in mediocrity and this year shouldn't be any different. Jim Harbaugh is entering his third season at the helm and is finding it hard to stockpile quality talent at the institution. Stanford might have the best-kept secret at the tailback position in Toby Gerhart. The senior led the league in rushing by averaging nearly 200 yards a game. Stanford will return eight starters on offense. The schedule does favor the boys from the Farm and they could be 5-0 going into Corvallis on Oct 10. But it will be the games that are played after October 10^th that will show whether or not this team can escape the pedestrian results of the past few seasons.

Rick Neuheisel's Bruins are picked seventh although UCLA is only a quarterback away from leaping up to the first division of the league. Understood that's a mouthful in the Pac-10 but in UCLA's case it happens to be true. Neuheisal has seen enough of last year's starting QB Kevin Craft. Kevin Prince has been named the starter and while all wisdom is that a true freshman at quarterback in the Pac-10 is suicidal, the Bruins might enough athletic talent around him to carry the Bruins higher than seventh place. The defense will be solid as they return seven starters from last year's squad that finished 4-8. The Bruins may be a year or two away, but will beat anyone who takes them lightly.

Arizona has issues. While they can't be surprised at being picked for eighth place - they have spent a lot of time around that part of the standing since firing head coach Dick Tommey - the issues facing the Wildcts are equally dire. Opening weekend is at hand and the Wildcats still don't know who is going to replace Willie Tuitama at quarterback. Whether Matt Scott or Nick Foles ends up behind center, it will be hard for either to feel ready to lead his team. Arizona still has a formidable defense that returns seven starters including corner Devin Ross and safety Cam Nelson, but Arizona's offense will struggle. A tough season could cost Mike Stoops his job.

Washington endured its worst season ever in 2008 by going 0-12. Out is Ty Willingham as coach and in is Steve Sarkisian. The Huskies are in major rebuilding mode and it's a fairly safe assumption Sarkisian will win a couple of games this season. A healthy Jake Locker is the primary reason for the "optimism", but even with Locker calling the signalsthere aren't many, if any, weapons around him. Almost the entire starting defense returns and this case that is clearly not a "good" thing, the Husky defense was abused last season.  Oh, and in the first three weeks of the season LSU and USC come calling.  Tough times for the Dawgs indeed.

Washington State's ineptitude is in a class by itself. The Coug's were the worst team by far last season despite their stunning overtime win in the Apple Cup. The WSU defense allowed pinball game like numbers to the opposition and it won't be much improved this year. Offensively the team has more question marks than scholarships. A trio of quarterbacks will see time with Kevin Lopina, Marshall Lobbestael and J.T. Levenseller. The Cougar defense allowed an average of 44 points a game. WSU will be hard pressed to find a win. Their two best opportunities are Hawai'i (in Seattle) and a home game against SMU.

Predictions

Oregon

USC

Cal

Stanford

Arizona St.

UCLA

Oregon St.

Arizona

Washington

WSU

IT'S GAME WEEK, BABY
Kevin Serrapede

The 2009 version of the Oregon Ducks rolls out Thursday September 3^rd at Boise State. BSU is ranked 14^th to Oregon's 16th in the pre-season polls (guesses), so this will be an interesting game. Let's take a look at the season ahead and the BSU game for the Ducks.

Offensive Line:

Much has been stated about having to re-tool the offensive line for Oregon and this is a concern. Last year's line was perhaps the best offensive line in the history of the program but they open the new season with all new faces in starting roles. However, Bo Thran, CarsonYork, Jordan Holmes and C.E. Kaiser all saw significant playing time last year and with another spring and fall camp under their belts, they should be good to go. The question is Bo Thran's knee and how much he can play for Oregon early in the season. The BSU game will give us a good indication of their development but if this line is going to gel, as it should, all questions will be answered by game 3 with Utah at Autzen.

Barring injury, this line will work as a cohesive unit that perhaps lacks the size of last year's unit but with more speed to get outside and up field in the spread offense blocking schemes. This unit is not the liability some people suspect and will perform up to par.

Receivers:

Another area of concern are the receivers. Yes, Oregon lost some players to graduation but overall, the departing seniors and transfers were not irreplaceable. Dropped passes were frequent but one thing that was overlooked was the downfield blocking by last year's group. They did an excellent job and this year's group, while having questions about experience and depth, are an athletic bunch. Ed Dickson is one of the best TE's in the nation. Jeff Maehl has sure hands and good speed at one wide out and Jamere Holland has blazing speed at the other spot to stretch the field.

Once you throw the new "Taser" position into the mix, including running back and speed merchant LaMichael James, you begin to recognize this group is not going to be a problem. While untested, the backups are going to surprise some doubters. Yes, they must perform but this is not a one dimensional offense, so realistically, this group will be more than adequate if they just are good possession receivers and block for the running game.

Backs:

A seemingly endless string of injuries at quarterback early last season had the Ducks down to their fifth option on the depth chart, so breaking fall camp with three quarterbacks after losing Justin Roper and Chris Harper to transfer is a concern.

While injuries can play havoc with a season the Ducks are confident of their depth with Jeremiah Masoli, Nate Costa and Darron Thomas.

Selected as one of the team captains, if Masoli can perform anywhere near his ability and stays healthy, Oregon will be an extremely dangerous offense. Thankfully, backing him up and finally healthy is Nate Costa. After missing the past two seasons due to injury, the offense will be in solid hands when he sees playing time. The running backs will be LaGarrette Blount and LaMichael James. Blount ran for more than 1,000 yards last year and the redshirt freshman James will be the lightning to Blount's thunder.

Overall, Oregon's offense will be potent again this year, with team's struggling to find and answer for an offense that does an excellent job of getting athletes in space and letting them make plays.

Defensive Line:

Here is the question mark on this side of the ball. Will Tukuafu is the only deeply experienced player and Kenny Rowe has some experience, mostly in pass rushing situations. Both tackles are new but Brandon Bair and Blake Ferras have emerged as the starters.

While the questions about this group are reasonable, perspective can temper certain doubts. What role does this group need to fulfill to help the team be successful? In Oregon's typical scheme, these lineman need to fill the gaps versus the run and let the linebackers make the plays. The graduated Nick Reed was a monster for the Ducks last season at DE and filling those shoes will be a lot to ask of Rowe. Look for defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti to compress the pocket using Rowe if he can and to bring a linebacker or a corner if he can't. The Ducks just need solid, unspectacular play on the line to be successful on defense.

Linebackers:

This group could develop into one the best linebacking corps in the programs past 10 years. Experienced, smart and now mature, Casey Matthews, Brian Paysinger and Ed Pleasant are going to open fan's eyes this year. They are the key to stopping the run and providing good zone coverage in passing situations. With size and speed to rival USC's noted group, if they perform as they should, Oregon will have a front 7 that works well as a unit.

Defensive Backs:

The return of Walter Thurmond III, TJ Ward and Talmadge Jackson III is a solid foundation to what is a talented group of DB's. Javes Lewis and Marvin Johnson add to the talent pool giving the a combination of speed and experience necessary to allow Aliotti to remain true to his philosophy of stopping the oppositions running game at all costs.

Last year's team saw too many third and long conversions and this will be a continuing challenge if the run defense does its job. If the defense can get off the field - not always the easiest of tasks last year - they will put tremendous pressure on the opponent's defense and test their conditioning. Look for Oregon to wear teams down as they did versus Oklahoma State last year if the defense can get some stops.

Special Teams:

Morgan Flint returns and is solid as the field goal and PAT man. However, kickoffs and punting have question marks and the answers to these questions will go a long way to determine if Oregon has a good season. Jackson Rice and Rob Beard are true freshman who will handle the punting and kickoffs.

Oregon should have plenty of athletes for coverage teams and if they just focus on their assignments and stay in their lanes, coverage should be adequate.

Walter Thurmond III, Kenjon Barner and LaMichael James will handle punt and kickoff returns. All have plenty of speed but need to hold onto the ball in this aspect of the game. We saw what Thurmond can do opening the second half against Oklahoma State and it changed the momentum in an instant.

All in all, Oregon can go 2-2 in the first 4 games and still be an excellent team by year's end. That's the risk you take when 3 of the first 4 games are versus ranked opponents. Obviously not a stated goal but if Oregon goes 3-1, is that not better than 4-0 versus the likes of Chattanooga State, The Little Sister's of the Poor University etc? All the question marks will be answered by the Utah game and then the biggest test arrives in the name of Cal in week 4. No disrespect to BSU, Purdue and Utah, but Cal is a step up from those teams and the direction of the 2009 season will by then be taking full shape.

GAME PICK

Not discounting the loss to BSU at home last year, Oregon has an excellent chance to return the favor this week in Boise.

Both teams have rebuilding issues and BSU has the home field advantage where they have been virtually unbeatable over the past decade.

Here's how I see the game. In that loss last seasom, Oregon learned a few things. Yes, protect yourself at all times but also - keep the defensive reads simple. With an offense that throws out multiple formations that change at the line, having too many reads only confuses things. Oregon moved in that direction during the year and that helped the defense improve despite being on the field an inordinate amount of time.

The Bronco still have soph Kellen Moore at quarterback though his effectiveness may be limited by a new receiving squad. Running back Jeremy Avery returns and although Avery is an experienced junior and Quizz-like in stature, they lack depth in the running game. Look for Oregon to stop the run and create pressure on Moore in passing situations. With an accurate arm and good touch can Oregon succeed in getting him on the run as mobility is not his strong point? This will be a good test of the speed of Oregon's defensive front seven.

If they can contain Moore and apply pressure, Oregon can dampen the passing threat of the Broncos.

In last year's game, Oregon fell into trouble when the offense sputtered with Chris Harper at QB. Once Boise State no longer had to honor the pass, they put eight in the box and stymied the Duck's offense. Once Oregon brought on Darron Thomas, who got the offense moving, Oregon held BSU scoreless in the 4^th quarter.

If Oregon doesn't fall for the misdirection of BSU's offense, their speed and size should prove to be decisive as the game progresses. Conditioning should be a significant advantage after facing throughout fall camp an Oregon offense that runs more plays per minute than 99% of the teams in college football.

On offense, Oregon will be difficult to stop. Jeremiah Masoli has a year under his belt at this point and is the team captain. Using his running game with Blount and James, and mixing in some short possession passes as he did before being knocked out of last year's game he can keep the Bronco defense on their heels. Don't be surprised if Oregon stretches the field with Holland and James early on. Oregon's offensive line in not a cohesive unit yet but they do have enough game experience they will be a handful for Boise State, who have significant holes to fill on their defensive line.

The special teams and turnovers always play a huge role in the first game of the season. With a potential Top 15 ranking on the line this early in the September, expect some hiccups on both sides. As always, a team that wins the turnover battle by a margin of two or more will have a huge advantage.

I expect a hard fought, fast paced game with lots of ebbs and flows early on. Oregon needs to limit BSU's explosion plays. If the Ducks are successful at that task, look for Oregon to pull away late in the 3^rd or early 4^th quarter.

The Chip Kelly era is here and the Ducks come out on top 38-24.

FALL CAMP CONCLUDES
Don Smalley

The last time we saw the Duck football team on the field, Oregon was running around and through the Oklahoma State Cowboys on its way to a 42-31 victory in the 2008 Holiday Bowl.

That recollection has heightened the anticipated arrival of this Thursday, when Ducks will return to the field to take on the No. 16 Boise State Broncos on the Smurf Turf to begin the 2009 college football season on ESPN.

Each season is a new team, this more than most. The Ducks new uniforms serve as an exclamation point that the program is focused on the future under their new head coach and new game captains. 

Chip Kelly promoted to head coach when the Dean of the Pac-10 coaching fraternity Mike Bellotti assumed his new position as Athletic Director.

As in the past, several players offered suggestions to Nike's designers that are reflected in the new combinations the Ducks will be sporting for the next couple seasons.

For Oregon's fans, many of whom carry high expectations into the season it is less who is at the helm and what they are wearing. The questions more centrally revolve around a possible Pac-10 championship and could this be the year Oregon returns to the Rose Bowl?

"I've always believed that the most two important things for a football team is chemistry and attitude," said Kelly. "Our players truly love and respect one another. I'm excited about their attitude. They are ready to get after it and ready to go."

In the Pac-10 experience at quarterback is usually the first and most important key to winning the league championship. Among the contending programs it is the Ducks who possess the most experienced signal caller in Jeremiah Masoli. The junior made his debut against Boise State last season and he won the job with his play. Since starting the Washington State game, Oregon is 7-2 with Masoli, including a 65-38 win in Corvallis and the bowl win.

"You see the tip of the iceberg and you want it all," Masoli said. "The bar is up there. We set it with the Holiday Bowl and now we want nothing less than to go undefeated."

Should Masoli go down for any length of time, Oregon has capable backups with Nate Costa and Darron Thomas. Costa, a junior, actually won the job at the beginning of last season's fall camp before his third knee injury erased his year. This season for the first time since the Modesto, Calif. native came north; he is healthy and ready to go. The coaching staff is hoping Masoli and Costa will stay healthy so Thomas can redshirt and have three years of eligibility remaining. But if he has to step in there, Thomas is ready.

Although Kelly is the head coach, he will have his hands all over the offense with the spread and the deception Ducks fans are accustomed to and causing nightmares for opposing defenses. Having a reliable running back is another key and Oregon has that with LeGarrette Blount. Now that he is seen as the main guy the bruiser well improve on his team-record 17 touchdowns of last season despite serving as a backup to Jeremiah Johnson.

In 2008, Johnson provided the elusiveness and the speed and Blount provided the muscle in Oregon's 1-2 punch. The Ducks hope to still have that dual threat in the backfield this season, but it will be LaMichael James and Kenyon Barner filling Johnson's role.

The receivers will have a new cast of characters. Out is Jaison Williams to graduation and Aaron Pflugrad to a transfer to Arizona State and in will be Jemere Holland, Lavasier Tuinei, D.J. (Drew) Davis and of course Jeff Maehl along with tight end Ed Dickson. The receiving corps has a good combination of size, speed and hands. Tuinei is the newcomer, but has had an impressive fall camp. The 6-5 junior college transfer might become Masoli's favorite target close to the end zone due to his size and leaping ability. Holland is the deep threat and Maehl is the possession receiver. Davis, at 6-1, is a combination of all those things.

But for the offense to be effective, and that goes for any offense, the line is key and the Ducks may have some questions there. The talent is there, but the experience is not.  

Jordan Holmes (6-5, 285) will be the center along with C.E. Keiser (6-4, 290), Bo Thran (6-5, 295) and Charlie Carmichael (6-5, 295) among others will have to build the chemistry necessary to pave the way for Oregon's running attack.

Defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti has confidence in his experienced and talented secondary, led by cornerback Walter Thurmond III. Willie Glasper will anchor the other side of the field with Talmadge Jackson playing the rover position. T.J. Ward will be patrolling the secondary from his free safety spot.

"We're going to compete," Ward said. "I'm not predicting anything, but we're going to be fast. I think we're an intense defense. We're strong and smart."

The linebacker corps will feature top notch returning talent with Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger while Kenny Rowe is poised to rise as a star among this group.

"We have a new coach and a new attitude around here," Matthews said. "He's (Kelly) bringing excitement around here, intensity and competitiveness."

The defensive line is also inexperienced and will need to come together as a group in a hurry in order to keep the opposition as one dimensional as possible. Will Tukuafu is the best the Ducks have to offer and he will see his share of sacks. But in order to avoid Tukuafu being double-teamed, the likes of Brandon Bair and Simi Toeaina will have to be threats as well.

The Ducks have always had held that special teams need to be special and they look solid in that area. Thurmond and James will return kickoffs and punts and Morgan Flint returns to kick field goals. Newcomer Tim Taylor will handle the punting duties.

Oregon's schedule also plays in favor for the Ducks. After the opener in Boise, the Ducks have a four-game home stand. Purdue (Sept. 12) and Utah (Sept. 19) round out the non-league portion before Oregon opens the conference play when they host California on September 26th.

The media has picked Cal and Oregon to finish second and third, respectively, in the conference. The winner of that pivotal game will have the inside track to challenging USC for the conference crown. Washington State (Oct. 3) closes out the home stand.

The first league road test will come where the Ducks hope to end their season, the Rose Bowl. Oregon plays the Bruins Oct. 10. Oregon's visit to Seattle to face the Huskies (Oct. 24) will come after a bye.

That sets the stage for the Trojans who will visit Autzen on Halloween in a contest that should have significant impact upon the conference and BCS rankings.

The remaining schedule will be against teams Oregon should be favored against. At Stanford (Nov. 7), Arizona State (Nov. 14), at Arizona (Nov. 21) and the Civil War at home (Dec. 3).