Skinny - On paper Oregon and California are really similar, but I think in the end Oregon has the better balance and overall better team. Jeremiah Masoli returns as quarterback for the Ducks and could blossom into the league's premier quarterback this season considering his head coach Chip Kelly has a thing with blossoming quarterbacks. LaGarrette Blount returns at running back to give balance to Masoli, a dual-threat quarterback. The team loses three first team All Pac 10 players in Chung, Unger, and Reed but those shoes will be filled in by other players. Defensive end Will Tukuafu becomes the premier defensive lineman this season after accumulating 7.5 sacks last season. The pass defense was in the bottom ten in the nation, but the talent is there for the team to improve on that statistic, but it might not even be that much of a factor if the Oregon scoring machine rolls like it was in the last few games last season scoring the following in the last four games: 35, 55, 65, and 42.
Strength - Jeremiah Masoli
Despite the hype that will follow Tebow, Bradford, and McCoy, the best statistics and play by a quarterback this season could very well be Masoli. Masoli had 1744 yards throught the air last season (13-5 TD/INT) and 718/10 on the ground in only 12 games last season. After watching what Masoli can do a defense and how the defense has to work to contain him, I expect him to absolutely blow up this season. I expect a legitimate shot for the Heisman from Masoli and believe if the line can come together for Oregon this team may have what it takes to beat USC out for the league title. Masoli isn't going to be touted as the greatest passer, but he did end the year with 3 big games through the air against respectable teams in Arizona, Oregon State, and Oklahoma State. Masoli runs a 4.5 according to his scout.com profile and definitely looks the role. He also runs like a bull. Watch This
Weakness - Offensive Line
The team lost its cornerstone on offense losing Max Unger to the NFL. Bo Thran and C.E. Kaiser return as starters for the Ducks, but the other three spots are open. Jordan Holmes should be able to take over the center role after backing up Unger last season and playing in every game including starting 4. Mark Asper seems to be the consensus pick for one guard spot, while freshman Carson York seems to lead for the other. The offensive line doesn't have to be spectacular, but they have to be good enough to allow last year's second ranked running offense continue to push down team's throats and keep the high octane offense at the end of the season running on all cylinders.
Key Game - 9/26/09 California
Oregon has a big advantage in this game considering California has to come to the zoo in a rematch from last season when Oregon was limited to 16 points by the Golden Bears. This is a big game for Oregon coming off a tough opening stretch against Boise State, Purdue, and Utah. Luckily for Oregon, all these games are home. (On a side note, every person in the country should give credit to Oregon for scheduling this kind of schedule. Purdue is the worst non-conference team, how many teams can honestly say that?). Oregon will get a break after this game before a marquee matchup with USC four weeks later.
Key Player - Jeff Maehl
Maehl caught 39 passes for 421/5 last year, which isn't a bad season especially as a sophomore, but someone needs to step up at wide receiver and allow Masoli to develop a strong passing attack to become a dual threat and become more like Vince Young. If the passing game improves on their 67th ranking last season, they could make some serious competition with Oklahoma for the best attack in the land. They were ranked 7th in both total yards and scoring last season, which is pretty darn good considering most of the time when teams are high on the offensive side they're battling against weaker conference teams.
Impact Freshman - Jackson Rice
Predicted Pac-10 finish - 2nd
Top 5 Players
1. QB Jeremiah Masoli
2. DE Will Tukuafu
3. RB LaGarrette Blount
4. TE Ed Dickson
5. CB Walter Thurmond III
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