In the most recent episode of the Final Take podcast, I talked about why I think the Oregon Ducks will be National Champions within the next three years.
Am I fan of the Ducks? Yes, but FORGET THE FANDOM and hear me out on this.
Will it be hard for them to beat SEC teams? Yes. But can they do it? Yes.
They’re led by Mario Cristobal
Mario Cristobal just signed a six-year-extension to stay with the Ducks. However, before the extension there were rumors that he would was being considered for the head coaching job at Auburn (who’s in the SEC).
A couple years back the Ducks fell from being the powerhouse that they were, they had two head coaches before Cristobal who couldn’t get the job done (Marc Helfrich and Willie Taggart). But Cristobal has turned the Ducks back into the powerhouse that they were not only on the field, but also in recruiting.
Cristobal is one of the best up and coming head coaches in college football, and hes under contract with the Ducks until 2026.
Oregon Ducks Recruiting
This last season, the Ducks had the youngest roster in FBS. They had 83 underclassmen, compared to 31 Juniors and Seniors combined. In 2021, the Ducks have the number 6 recruiting class in the nation. With a few top prospects such as Byron Cardwell, Ty Thompson, and Troy Franklin.
The Ducks also have quite a few Seniors returning for their extra year that was granted due to Covid. The Ducks are expected to return 10 starters that took the field in the Fiesta Bowl.
To name a few that are returning:
Quarterback Anthony Brown
Running Back CJ Verdell
Wide Recievers Johnny Johnson III and Jaylon Redd
Defensive Coordinator switch
Two years ago, the Oregon Ducks brought in Andy Avalos. He immediately put this team back in the top 50 defenses in the nation. However, this last year they digressed quite a bit. With Avalos now heading off to Boise State as their head coach.
The Ducks had to make a decision on who they wanted to bring in. The man they chose, they weren’t able to beat his California Bears the last two years.
Tim DeRuyter, has been with the Bears for four years but, only allowed 17 points to the Ducks offense the past two years, and they lost to them this year. If you can’t beat the man’s defense, why not have that man join you?
Oregon Ducks Positional Battles
Cristobal will have his work cut out for him. The biggest positional battle will be at QB. The Ducks have both Anthony Brown and Tyler Shough, who were the starters this year. But they also have former five-star prospects Jay Butterfield, and Robby Ashford. As well as four-star Ty Thompson coming in with the 2021 recruiting class.
Why three years?
Do the Oregon Ducks have unfinished business from this year?
Yes, there were a couple of games that they should’ve won, but they didn’t. Those two games that they should’ve won against Oregon State and California.
They’ll be looking to prove who they really are in 2021. But with a lot of youngsters still on the roster, this year could be another development year.
So, I don’t necessarily think that they’d be able to do it right away.
