Eastern Washington At #7 Oregon Preview

   Tomorrow the Oregon Ducks will open their season against the Eastern Washington Eagles. The Eagles may be a division 1 football team, but they are no strangers to playing in a higher league. In 2013 Eastern Washington beat the Oregon State Beavers, and in 2014 the Eagles gave Washington a shootout, but came up short.  However, in both of those games, they had their star quarterback Vernon Adams, which Oregon has now.

Players to watch, Eastern Washington:

   DE Samson Ebukam - Ebukam led Eastern Washington last year with 7.5 sacks.  He is 6'3", 240 lbs, and he can turn a corner very fast. His ability to force negative plays will be important for EWU.

Vernon Adams (Left) and Travis Jonson.

   WR Cooper Kupp - This year Oregon has a weak secondary, and Cooper Kupp will need to capitalize on that if they want a shot at pulling an upset. He was Vernon Adams main target last year, and you can assume they will keep finding ways to get him the ball.

Players to watch, Oregon:

   QB Vernon Adams -  This one is a no brainier. Everyone will be looking at this player to be a big play maker for the Ducks.  It will be difficult for him to come out onto a new team and a new field, against his old team and his old coach. 

   RB Royce Freeman -  Freeman might need to step up for Oregon if Adams is having trouble. Because of Thomas Tyner being injured and out for the season, Royce Freeman will be getting more reps as the season goes on.

   In order for Eastern Washington to win the game tomorrow, the defense is going to have to step up and force Oregon to 3rd and long. As soon as Oregon starts to find a rhythm on Offense it will be very hard for EWU to win. They will also have to make their defense work and be able to throw it deep down field against Oregon's poor secondary. In order for Oregon to win the game, they will need to score early and not let Eastern Washington stay with them for long. Oregon needs to be in a good lead by the end of the 3rd or this game will be difficult for Oregon.

   I think that this game will be a shootout early, it might even be pretty close by the end of halftime, but in the end Oregon will run away with this one.

Oregon 52  - EWU 24

- Go Ducks!

Starters for 2015/16

    On Friday, the starting roster was released for the Oregon Ducks' 2015/16 season.  One thing that doesn't come as much of a surprise is the Quarterback.  Senior transfer Vernon Adams Jr. was named the first string for the Eastern Washington game on September 5th.  He won the job over junior Jeff Lockie, and freshman Travis Jonson.  Adams is a very talented quarterback, I think he is the best option. The question is, how can he lead the team for the beginning of the season, being a transfer? The Ducks have a huge game vs #5 Michigan State, the second week of the season.  If the Ducks win, they are right back in the playoff discussion.  If they loose, it may be harder to make it into the playoffs.  Whatever the outcome, Adams has only one season to make his impact on Oregon.

   On other positions, the starting running back is sophomore Royce Freeman. Because of the injury to Thomas Tyner, the run game will be leaning on him. At wide receiver, Bralon Addison, Dwayne Stanford and Byron Marshall have all been named first string.  Senior Transfer Matt Hegarty from Notre Dame will be starting at Center, and Evan Baylis will be starting at tight end. 

   As for the defense, we have an impressive lineup with DeForest Buckner, Alex Balducci, Tyson Coleman, Rodney Hardrick, Joe Walker, Christian French, and Reggie Daniels.  I expect the defense this season to be one of the best we have ever had, and I think it might be one of those years where the defense is better than the offense, if that's even possible.  I do believe that this season we have a good offense and defense.  I don't know about the playoffs yet, because I haven't seen them play a snap, but from everything that I have heard, I think this season might be really fun to watch.  I'll have my preview for the Eastern Washington game on Friday. Until then,

- Go Ducks!

Quarterback Prospects

   After the Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota declared for the NFL draft after the National Championship, discussion began about how the Ducks would be able to come back after losing their key player. However the Oregon Ducks have many quarterbacks prospects for the 2015/16 season. Here's the list of quarterbacks that the Ducks have to experiment with.

   The obvious choice is Jeff Lockie, who is the more experienced quarterback. Lockie is a Junior this year and he understands how the Oregon offense works. I believe that he will start the first few games possibly even the first half of the season if he is able to win games. If he is not able to win games he will be replaced very quickly.

   The next choice is Vernon Adams. Adams was just cleared to transfer to the U of O, so he will be a little later into the program vs the other quarterback prospects. But what Vernon Adams has against the other quarterback prospects is that he is more experienced in college football. He transferred from Eastern Washington, where he played three years at. How he adapts to the ducks offense, we will wait and see.

   The third choice, Freshman Travis Jonsen, is one of my favorites. He reminds me of Darren Thomas with the way he runs and throws. He is very fast, but I have yet to be impressed with his throwing power. I do believe he will get much better and I think next year he will be our full quarterback.
 
   The next choice is Sophomore Ty Griffin. He did very little last year, actually I don't even remember him doing much at all. However I have heard good things about him and I think that the coaches will give him a chance early on in the season, as they will probably do will every quarterback.

   The next choice would be Sophomore Taylor Alie. He has been the third string for the past year. He was the holder for field goals, and on two point conversions he would throw the ball. I think he will be the next choice if Lockie falls through, however I don't believe he has enough experience to start right now.
 
   I don't know who will be the quarterback for the year, however we felt this way when Darren Thomas left, and we only had two quarterbacks that we could choose from. Experienced Brian Bennet, and freshman Marcus Mariota. I expect the  head coach make the right choice like he usually does.


- Go Ducks!

Returning Key Players

   This year the Oregon Duck lost a few key players on both offense and defense. One of the obvious ones would Marcus Mariota to the NFL and CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. Here are a few returning key players that the Ducks will need to use for the 2015/16 season.

OFFENSE:
Bralon Addison, WR, Junior
Devon Allen, WR, Sophomore
Darren Carrington, WR, Sophomore
Jeff Lockie, QB, Junior
Royce Freeman, RB, Sophomore
Byron Marshall, RB, Senior


DEFENSE:
Deforest Buckner, DL, Senior
Tyson Coleman, LB, Senior
Reggie Daniels, DB, Junior

Some new recruits to look out for this year are:
Taj Griffin, RB
Travis, Jonsen, QB
Canton Kaumatule, DL


- Go Ducks!

2015 - 16 Season Schedule

   Following the disappointing ending to the season last year, the Ducks hope to try again this year. Here is the schedule right now. (Times and dates could change, I will try to update them if the do so)


       
          Eastern Washington - Sept 5 - Home - 5:00 PM PT - Pac-12 Networks
          Michigan State - Sept 12 - Away - 5:00 PM PT - ABC
          Georgia State - Sept 19 - Home - 11:00 AM PT - Pac-12 Networks
          Utah - Sept 26 - Home - TBA - TBA
          Colorado - Oct 3 - Away - TBA - TBA
          Washington State - Oct 10 - Home - TBA - TBA
          Washington - Oct 17 - Away - TBA - TBA
           ---------------------BYE-----------------------
          Arizona State - Oct 29 - Away - 7:30 PM PT - ESPN
          California - Nov 7 - Home - TBA - TBA
          Stanford -  Nov 14 - Away - TBA - TBA
          USC - Nov 21 - Home - TBA - TBA
          Oregon State - Nov 27 - Home - 12:30 or 1:00 PM PT - FOX/Fox Sports 1

(Latest update: July 6th, 2015)
   My main concerns for this schedule is, at Michigan State in week two, at Washington in week seven, at Stanford in week 11, USC in week 12, and Oregon State in week 13. If you wondering why Oregon State, its because they have a new head coach, new facilities and a new quarterback, they could be a real threat depending on what they do during the season. That's all for now stay tuned for more coming soon.


- Go Ducks!

Oregon 20 - Ohio State 42: 2015 Championship

   The Ducks once again got right up to the last chance, and blew it. Ohio State dominated the Ducks through most of the game, and became the new champs. But this season should not be held as a loss. The Ducks won the PAC-12, won a Heisman, and won the Rose Bowl to take down the defending champions. It would have been the icing on the cake, so to say, to this season. I believe that this team was the best we have had in a very long time. What the Ducks have done from the late 1980's on, has been amazing. From winning barely five games a season, from going to two national championships in five years. I for one, am very proud of my Ducks this season.


   Marcus Mariota has not declared for the draft. He has to do so by January 15th. He has already said that he would wait until after this game to decide, and now that it is over he has to choose. It will be up to his family, and what he really wants to do. I can see it going both ways. He stays: We have another great season, and possibly make it to the playoffs again. He goes: The Ducks run one of their talented quarterbacks waiting for the opportunity, and who knows what will happen. I would like to see him go and do well in the NFL, but I wouldn't be mad if he stayed either.


   2014-15 season is over, 2015-16 is next. I'm very excited to see what we do next year. I will be posting big news stories throughout the break. The Ducks went 13-2 this season. This was the first 13 win season in program history.


- Go Ducks!


 

2015 College Football Championship: Preview

   In 2011, The Oregon Ducks played The Auburn Tigers in the BCS Championship Game. The Ducks came close but could not beat the Tigers, 22-19. That was as close as the Ducks have gotten to a Championship win, but this year the Ducks are back. This time in Dallas vs the Buckeyes of Ohio State, and no more BCS. The Ducks magical ride to Dallas began with injuries close games and a lot of hard work. Ohio State as well had to overcome a list of injuries and as to beat Alabama to be here. The Ducks are seven point favorites to claim their first ever National Title.

   The Buckeyes are 8-0 against the Ducks. The last time they beat us was in 2010, in the Rose Bowl, but a lot has changed during those four years. The Ducks have won a two Rose Bowls, won a Fiesta Bowl, a Alamo Bowl and won a Heisman Trophy. This is the biggest game in the history of Oregon Football. A chance to be the best team in the country and walk away champs. 

   Oregon will need to get help from their Heisman quarterback, Marcus Mariota, and will need to run over the opposing defense with Freshman running back Royce Freeman. Ohio State is on their third string quarterback, Cardale Jones. They will also need their top running back, Ezekiel Elliot.

   The Ducks will not wear Green, or Yellow for their uniforms. Instead they will wear, White, Black, and Silver. I believe that's a little silly, but I also believe that it doesn't matter what we wear as long as we win. The game will be at 5:30 PM PT on ESPN.

Prediction:

Oregon 34 - Ohio State 20