The Ducks sure missed Marcus Mariota, Hroniss Grasu and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu last season more than they even imagined. Oregon’s streak of seven consecutive double-digit win seasons ended. However, the Ducks weren’t too far off their usual tally, as they finished 9-4 and suffered three of the four losses by a touchdown or less. The Ducks need to recover from their monumental collapse in the Alamo Bowl, blowing a 31-0 lead and losing 47-41 in overtime.
Oregon Ducks Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ducks Over 8 Wins -110
Ducks Under 8 Wins -110
2015 OREGON DUCKS SEASON REVIEW
The 2015 season was nothing if not full of twists and turns. Oregon’s streak of seven consecutive double-digit win seasons ended, and life without Mariota presented a rollercoaster of a season for the Ducks.
There was the Vernon Adams Jr. transfer; the 3-3 start to the season; the defense’s up-and-down performances from game to game – and play to play. There was the six-game winning streak to close out the regular season that coincided with a healthy Adams returning, and the outside shot at the Pac-12 title game.
Back-to-back wins over No. 7 Stanford and No. 24 USC showed everyone how dynamic of an offense Oregon could’ve employed had Adams remained healthy all season. It was the high-powered group that Oregon had the past few seasons and one that could make up for some defensive shortcomings. Without Adams there was inconsistent play that included an ugly home loss to Utah.
WHAT CHANGED
Chip Kelly pushed the bar into a different county during his tenure and if Mark Helfrich is unable to maintain the standard, avoiding mounting pressure will be impossible. The Ducks are now expected to win the conference and compete for playoff berths. Period. And after winning less than 10 games for the first time in eight years, the program needs to make a statement to show that the dynastic stretch has not come to an end.
While there are questions on offense, there are concerns about the defense. The group was a disaster last year, allowing more points and yards per game than any other Pac-12 team. Helfrich reacted predictably, hiring former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke as new defensive coordinator to overhaul the unit.
2016 OREGON DUCKS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Sep. 3: vs. UC Davis
Sep. 10: vs. Virginia
Sep. 17: at Nebraska
Sep. 24: vs. Colorado
Oct. 1: at Washington State
Oct. 8: vs. Washington
Oct. 21: at California
Oct. 29: vs. Arizona State
Nov. 5: at USC
Nov. 12: vs. Stanford
Nov. 19: at Utah
Nov. 26: at Oregon State
2016 OREGON DUCKS SEASON PREVIEW
For the second straight season, the Ducks will rely on an FCS graduate transfer at quarterback, this time Montana State All-American Dakota Prukop, who needs to make as seamless a transition as Adams did in 2015.
The Ducks have averaged at least 43 points per game in each of the last five seasons, a remarkable run of potency. But there’s some uneasiness in Eugene as Oregon breaks in new offensive coordinator Matt Lubick and a new quarterback. The staff will overcome the loss of Scott Frost since Helfrich’s fingerprints are all over the playbook. But Prukop is a greater unknown.
Stocked with speedy athletes at the skill positions, running back Royce Freeman will get his chance to string some Heisman clips together. He deserves to be mentioned with the rest of college football’s outstanding junior running backs. Then there’s receivers Darren Carrington, Devon Allen and Dwayne Stafford. Also, Charles Nelson is fully committed to offense this year.
Oregon has work to do in order to improve on last year’s win total. There’s plenty of talent in the program, and Oregon catches Stanford and Washington in Autzen Stadium this year. The development of Prukop and improvement on defense will determine just how high the Ducks fly in 2016.
College Football Odds: Oregon Ducks Over 8 Wins
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