Oregon's surprising preseason No. 3 ranking sparks debate. Can their potent offense and physical defense challenge for a national title?
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning will be facing some extra pressure with his team this season.
The Ducks are loaded all over the field on defense, wide receiver, and running back. With quarterback Dante Moore returning, Oregon will have the benefit of playing a first-round talent at the most important position in football.
One of the biggest questions for Oregon is how it will get its offensive line to play at a high level against elite teams. How the starting five does will determine how far the Ducks will go in the College Football Playoff.
Brad Crawford of CBS Sports gave his top 25 rankings after the conclusion of spring football. He ranked the Ducks at No. 3, behind Ohio State (No. 2) and Texas (No. 1).
Oregon is known for having explosive athletes that can outrun any team at a track meet, but Crawford suggests this team might be more physical than normal.
"Might Oregon be the most physical team in the country?" Crawford wrote. "The Ducks' defense was dominant throughout the spring, ending the session with nine sacks at their annual spring game.
"Depth is everywhere. Former five-star Dylan Raiola will be a backup to Dante Moore at quarterback. The feeling here is that this might be Dan Lanning's best team yet."
Following Oregon's spring game, Lanning praised his team for being intelligent. He thinks the Ducks will build on their physicality during training camp this summer.
"I think the intelligence of this group is really high, you know, and the acumen and ability to execute offense and defensive plays is really up there, right?" Lanning said, via USA Today. "So they know and understand what we're trying to do.
"We've got a lot of stuff packaged well that these guys can operate really well... You know, we got to get stronger. We got to continue to become the physical team that we've been here in the past."
Oregon has reasons to be excited for the upcoming season. This should be Lanning's best team.
If Moore can have a season worthy of the Heisman Trophy, the Ducks could eclipse Texas and Arch Manning for the title.