The Oregon Outlook in 2011: Cloudy with a chance of crystal footballs

Most polls predict the Ducks for a top-five finish and a BCS bowl, but the season could fall far short of that.

Yet for some, anything less than a return to the National Championship Game would be a disappointment.

Most Duck fans fall somewhere in the middle.  The crucial questions for Oregon are these:

1. Replacing Senior Leadership
2. Getting the offensive line to jell in time for big games early
3. Depth at linebacker
4. The continued development of the defensive line

5.  A nine-game schedule in a very competitive league.  The Ducks will face three number one draft picks at quarterback, and another one in Vontaze Burfict anchoring the ASU defense.  Teams like Cal, Washington and Oregon State are likely to save their best game for Oregon.  There's an extra hurdle to clear in a conference championship game, that could be played a cold, forbidding Friday night in December at Autzen Stadium.  Home field advantage is nice, but extreme weather is a wild card in a big game.

6. Maintaining motivation and focus
7. Keeping Darron Thomas and LaMichael James healthy.


Offensive line dominates many forecasts. For skeptics like Schroeder, the inevitable comparision is Boise State in 2009, but this time Steve Greatwood returns three starters in York, Asper and Weems.

Golpashin also played significant snaps. He blasted key holes in the clinching 9-minute drive vs. Cal, for example, and was on the field for much of the national championship game. Center is the big question mark.

 The Ducks have enjoyed leadership, consistency, and continuity from the center position over the last several years during the long tenure of Jordan Holmes and Max Unger.  This season, though, the two candidates at center, Armstrong have one game appearance between them. Redshirt freshman Hroniss Grasu suited up with the varsity for the first time in the spring game, while sophomore Karrington Armstrong got on the field once last year, in mop-up duty versus Portland State. They're young, and a lot hinges on their progress.  LSU defensive line is big and tenacious, with a 300-pounder in the middle.