This seems to be a season in which Oregon has a real opportunity to win a national title, something we've said countless times over the past few years.
While Oregon hasn't accomplished the honor of winning a national championship just yet, it has been just as close as any team in America. Simply put, Oregon has been an elite program from top to bottom, and all it's chasing now is a national title.
Entering the season, there are high hopes once again for the Ducks. This is a program that is expected to be a top-five team in America year in and year out, something Dan Lanning has done a really good job of accomplishing.
That's why it's not too surprising to see that Oregon comes in at number two in On3's rankings of the top 25 teams in America next year.
“Oregon’s done virtually everything except win the one or two games against the truly national title caliber teams in the Top 25 in the last year or two. Get over that hump and the Ducks will likely be lifting the program’s first national championship trophy.
“Quarterback Dante Moore is back to lead the charge for the Ducks this season. He’ll have one of the most talented pass-catching corps to work with nationally. If there’s a potential snag for Oregon, it’s replacing some very good coordinators who departed for head coaching jobs,” Thomas Goldkamp of On3 wrote.
As On3 touched on here, there really isn't much more for the program to do than win a national title.
Oregon brought back some of its best players, including Dante Moore, who figures to be one of the best quarterbacks in America next season, if not the best in all of college football.
It's unfortunate that we will go into a season saying it's national championship or bust, as that puts a lot of pressure on young kids, which is exactly what players still are despite being paid.
However, it does feel like Oregon is in a situation where it has to win. If this team doesn't at least make the College Football Playoff and probably even the semifinal at that, most would view it as a disappointing year.
