Chip Kelly and Nick Alliotti could not care less about the number, who's favored or by how much, whether it's 34 or 32 or 132. They couldn't care less about who's picked to win the conference or Oregon's chances to repeat.
They only care about the process. Kelly says his team will prepare for this week like it's the Super Bowl. Nick Alliotti says his defense will start blitzing when they get off the bus.
I like that.
Oregon's beady-eyed focus on the day, and the process of winning makes winning more possible. This isn't a team that gets caught up press clippings, hype, expectations or old news. This isn't a team to get mired in controversy or weighed down by old incidents. They're not out to live down an undeserved reputation or a distorted image. They don't care about style points, although their flashy uniform ensembles will win a few. They are excited to play a football game, and their one chance to play one this week is New Mexico.
The final score will be 55-6, but like the Ducks I'm more concerned about the process:
Does Kenjon Barner have a coming out party?
Many see Barner emerging as the 2 in the 1-2 punch of James and Barner. His role in the offense is being expanded in multiple ways this season, lining up in two-back sets, in the slot or out wide. They'll get him touches in the open field, on passes, screens, pitches and reverses. If he shows himself to be the dynamic game-changer he was vs. UCLA, USC, Oregon State and Ohio State last season, the Ducks offense gets exponentially better. Having two breakaway threats of this caliber gives defenses fits, and when you add a heady big-play receiver on the outside in Jeff Maehl, the offense stretches opponents in more ways than anyone can handle.
Barner has a chance to shine all by himself on Saturday, and Duck fans are eager to see what he does with it. Look for him to breakaway at least once in the kicking game and twice from scrimmage, and approach 250 or more all-purpose yards for the day.
Will Darron Thomas establish himself as a first-time starter?
He doesn't have to be perfect. He doesn't have to be the star, but this first week, he must show a grasp of the offense and a comfort with the starting role. It would be fantastic to see him take a snap early and announce himself with a couple of pretty throws downfield, ala Dennis Dixon at Michigan in 2007.
Is the defense ready to assert itself as a dominating, aggressive, athletic unit?
If we see the Tenacious D they've shown signs of being in camp, it could be a very special year. An outstanding defense takes a lot of pressure off a young quarterback. The Ducks are talented, deep and fast on defense. Chip Kelly says they'll play 25-30 guys, which will keep the players fresh and engaged.
Pancake, run block and smashmouth: is Oregon's offensive line prepared to build on last year's success?
This is a veteran group with high expectations. The O-line must finish blocks and plays and dictate the outcome of games up front. With the speed and elusiveness of Oregon's twin backfield burners, these five veteran bulldozers could pave the way for another 3,000-yard rushing season. Chip Kelly says Darron Thomas has a smooth running style and breakaway ability, so the Ducks' running game might not lose as much from last year as people think.
But it all starts with the line. They were disastrously bad in the season opener last year against Boise State, with the offense not making a first down until the third quarter. They rallied quickly and jelled by the time Oregon opened PAC-10 play against Cal, dominating the Bears up front in a 42-3 victory, and continued to grow and develop throughout the season. The five starters, Thran, York, Jordan, Asper and Kaiser, made 63 of 65 possible starts. For all of their improvement and all they accomplished during the PAC-10 championship run, they were underwhelming in the Rose Bowl loss. Ohio State's big defensive tackles won the battle in the trenches, and proved a disruptive force in a disappointing loss. As good as Oregon's line play was for much of the season, they began and ended with mediocrity. Among them, there has to be a quiet resolve to start faster and finish stronger this season. That resolve must be on display in game one. As Chip often says, "it's the only game we play this week."
Who will emerge as key contributors among the role players who have showed promise?
Fall camp was buzzing with stories of players who made a leap forward and showed themselves to have the potential to make big, unexpected contributions this year. That's the X factor in a championship run, the players who rise up. Last year Barner, James and Boyett fell in that group. Talmadge Jackson III did an able job when both Walter Thurmond and Willie Glasper went down.
Fans are interested to see the debut of Oregon's new "Slash" role player, Daryle Hawkins, a 6-4 quarterback who's used his athleticism and thorough knowledge of the offense to work his way into playing time at running back and receiver. A smooth runner with good hands, Hawkins led all receivers in the fall camp scrimmage. Chip Kelly calls him a dynamic player, and he may just win a close game at some point this fall with a surprise pass on a trick play.
The Ducks will feature their depth at defensive line and cornerback in the New Mexico game, and it will be interesting to see which players make plays when it's full go.
After Jeff Maehl, who rises up at receiver?
Drew Davis has bulked up and improved over the off season, and is ready to take a bigger role in the Oregon passing attack. Thomas needs reliable targets and needs to find a trust and comfort level with his receivers. Maehl had a brilliant camp. Tuinei was a little hampered by nagging injuries. Justin Hoffman is a dogged blocker and sure-handed. Josh Huff has good speed and athletic ability but had an ankle injury that slowed him for several days. Among the tight ends, David Paulsen is a capable replacement for Ed Dickson. Paulsen led the team last season with 15.4 yards per catch, and 11 of his 12 receptions went for first downs. Back-up Brandon Williams has a huge upside, Malachi Lewis has pushed for playing time.
There are a lot of possibilities in this group, but they have to prove it, prove it with clutch downfield blocking and making plays in traffic. To achieve the needed balance in the offense, this group has to find stability and consistency, and a couple of breakout performers would be a huge boost to the team's chances for success.
Duck Tracks
Against an outmanned, overmatched opponent like the 1-11 Lobos, the first order of business is to take care of business. The Ducks need to win, and be focused and convincing in doing so. If they grab initiative early and win decisively, they'll have a chance to play a lot of people and start answering some of the questions about role players and contributors, reliability and depth.
They aren't going to lose this game, provided they keep their eye on the ball. The way they win is the critical thing. Duck fans want to see a performance that reflects preparation and focus.
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