Oregon Ducks Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

Oregon Ducks Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 12-1 PAC 12 Record: 9-0 (1st) 2011 Returning Starters: 13; 6 offense, 5 defense, punter, kicker

Coach: Chip Kelly, 22–4 (2 years)

Offensive Coordinators: Mark Helfrich Defensive Coordinators: Nick Allotti

2011 Oregon Players to Watch: QB Darron Thomas, RB LaMichael James, RB Kenjon Bamer, TE David Paulson, DT Ricky Helmull, CB Cliff Harris, FS John Boyett

2011 Oregon Strengths:
The up-tempo, spread-option offense averaged 493 points and 537.5 yards during a 12-0 regular season, and most of the key skill is back. The defense is talented and athletic, led by Harris. Speed abounds. The Ducks just flat-out wear down almost every opponent they play.

2011 Oregon Weaknesses:
Oregon is breaking in three new offensive line starters, including a new center. The receiving corps needs to develop more depth. Strong senior leadership departed with graduation, and Thomas and James will have to step up in that area.

2011 Oregon Offense:

Since Chip Kelly took over Oregon’s offense as coordinator in 2007, the Ducks have been all about skill on offense, and there’s plenty on hand for his third season as head coach. Directing Oregon’s attempt to win a third straight conference title will be junior quarterback Darron Thomas, who led the Ducks to the first unbeaten regular season in UO’s modern history as a first-year starter last fall. Thomas has some mechanical faults as a passer and isn’t the runner Dennis Dixon was, but he’s a tough, charismatic leader with the potential for further improvement. And he has the luxury of running the spread-option with backfield mate LaMichael James, who should become Oregon’s all-time career rushing leader early this season. The Ducks have a sure-handed tight end in David Paulson. Oregon may run more formations featuring running back Kenjon Barner rather than their traditional third receiver, because they’re thin at wideout behind returning starter Lavasier Tuinei and sophomore Josh Huff. But the biggest concern on offense is up front. Oregon lost three offensive linemen to graduation and two who retired due to injury over the winter. Of primary concern is finding a new center, with sophomore Karrington Armstrong or redshirt freshman Hroniss Grasu looking to replace Jordan Holmes.

2011 Oregon Defense:

The Ducks also lost three starters on the defensive line, but because they played such a deep rotation last fall, coaches feel good about who’s coming back. That begins at tackle with the trio of Taylor Hart, Ricky Heimuli and Wade Keliikipi, and junior end Dion Jordan, a converted wideout/tight end who looked like the team’s best pass-rusher during the spring. A bigger concern might be at linebacker, where senior Josh Kaddu is the only returning starter and projected middle backer Kiko Alonso has been suspended for yet another arrest. Depth is a concern. The Ducks need to play a deep rotation on defense because of the withering pace at which the offense plays, and some true freshmen may need to help at linebacker. The secondary is set, though, led by corner Cliff Harris and free safety John Boyett.

2011 Oregon Special Teams:

Kicker Rob Beard (10 of 13 on field goal attempts) and punter Jackson Rice, who averaged 42.3 yards per attempts last season, are back. The Ducks have an excess of speed for the return game. Harris averaged 18.8 yards, while scoring four times, on punt returns in 2010. Barner also returned one punt for a score. Barner and Huff are the main kick returners.

2011 Oregon Football Schedule | Oregon Football Sportsbooks

2011 Oregon Predictions:

When the final gun sounded ending Oregon’s loss to Auburn in the BCS National Championship Game last season, confetti barely had time to flutter to the ground before Kelly proclaimed: “We’ll be back.” Oregon may have been s relative newcomer to the national title race in 2010, but after falling just short in the championship game, the Ducks want another taste. And they’re making no secret of their goals. During spring practice, the athletic department kicked off a local radio advertising campaign focused on the football team’s effort to not just reach but win the 2011 national title game. Guys like Thomas, James and Harris are a good base to build on, but the questions about the lines must be answered by the end of fall camp, because Oregon opens 2011 with a huge non-conference showdown against LSU. Of course, those questions won’t stop the Ducks from thinking big entering this fall. Not after flirting with a national championship in 2010.

2011 Oregon Betting Odds:

Oregon Current odds to win a National Championship: +1200

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