Oregon Ducks 2017 NCAA Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Oregon Ducks 2017 NCAA Football Preview

2016 Recap

2016 Record – 4-8

2016 ATS – 2-9-1

THUD.

Last season marked the first time in the past 10 years that the Ducks failed to win at least nine games. They broke the streak with style finishing the season at 4-8. They lost three games in the first seven by exactly a FG so the record could have been a bit better with a couple of breaks. There was not much to celebrate and they even lost the Civil War to bitter rival Oregon St. New HC Willie Taggart comes over from South Florida with winning pedigree. Let’s see what the Ducks can do this season.

2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

PAC 12 – TBD

North Division – TBD

OFFENSE

Oh boy. People better strap on the big boy pads if they want to stop the Oregon rushing attack. It looks absolutely loaded with all the key players back in the mix. RB Royce Freeman is a star and is less than 1,000 yards away from becoming the Ducks’ all-time leading rusher. Oregon had a down year (for them) running the ball in 2016 but still averaged 5.5 yards per carry. The offensive line looks really good returning 4/5 starters.

The QB situation looks solid as well. MEGALOCKS PAC 12 INSIDERS predict a really good season for Justin Herbert who had a fine 19-4 TD to INT ratio last season in just nine games. He is not a dynamic runner but will not need to be in this offense. The Ducks recently took a hit at WR with the departure of WR Darren Carrington and now have a bit of concern with depth at that position. WR Charles Nelson is legit but it remains to be seen if someone else can emerge. Overall this offense feels like it will be between excellent and devastating.

DEFENSE

It was an absolute grease fire last season. The Ducks were roasted for 41 points and 518 yards per game in 2016. They ranked them second last in the PAC 12 in both statistics. One of the most under-the-radar additions in college football is new DC Jim Leavitt from Colorado. He is a MEGALOCKS favorite and will have the Ducks playing a much better brand of defense. There are 9 returning starters to work with and talent exists at all three levels of the defense. The DL features a 335-pound run plugger in Jordon Scott. LB Troy Dye led the team is tackles last season and tallied 13 TFL. The secondary returns 4/4 starters including an excellent CB in Arrion Springs.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Ducks need to break in a new P but PK Aidan Schneider made 9/12 FG attempts in 2016. The return game should be great with the dangerous Charles Nelson back for duty.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot

September 16 – at Wyoming. This game is played at the highest altitude in the FBS and they have PAC 12 play on deck.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Remember the ALAMO. MEGALOCKS BOWL GAME DIME DIME NICKEL CLUB is still smarting after the Ducks blew a 31-0 halftime lead vs TCU a couple of seasons ago.

Oregon has approximately 19,001 different uniform combinations.

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 9.0

MEGALOCKS says:

Overall, we give the DUCKS a 9.0 ATS Value Rating (Excellent) this season.

Can we hit back-to-back JACKS with our Oregon predictions ? Last season we pegged them with a 3.5 ATS Value Rating calling for disappointment. They finished up 2-9-1 ATS.

It feels like a big-time turnaround is in store for the Ducks. The offense is going to be back to the typical Oregon-level attack often scoring at will. We feel that the defense is going to be a lot better with more experience and DC Leavitt in charge. And of course HC Taggart is a great fit in our books. The schedule is very manageable. They look like a darkhorse to win the PAC 12 North.

What about beating the point spread ? Many folks will jump on the Oregon train quickly – but here is the thing – they have always been on the DEGENERATE RADAR yet had their first losing ATS season in TEN (!!) years in 2016. They have proven to be a handicapper’s best friend when the steamroller is turned on FULL BLAST. This could be one of those seasons.

QUACK ATTACK is BACK.

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