3 Reasons Why Oregon Could Win The National Championship

It might be tough to believe, yet a University of Oregon has never won a inhabitant title. The Ducks have won some-more games in a final 3 seasons — thanks, Phil Knight — than any other module in a nation, including strong Alabama, Florida State and, many importantly, Ohio State. They enter a Jan. 12 championship diversion opposite a Buckeyes as a nearby touchdown favorite, so let’s take a demeanour during 3 reasons since Oregon could finally mangle a school’s inhabitant pretension drought in Dallas this year.

Mr. Do-It-All

Marcus Mariota is a best football actor in America

It’s not unequivocally probable to outline a specific approach to kick Mariota, since he has such authority of a offense and giveaway power to heard to a improved play. Several teams have shown this year that vigour — and a lot of it — can lead Mariota to make an erring chuck from time to time, yet his energetic using ability is not to be underestimated. This year, as a junior, he rushed for a conspicuous 731 yards and 15 touchdowns. Perhaps a many considerable statistic about Mariota, though, is that he ranks no. 1 nationally in potency opposite opponents from Power 5 conferences, per Grantland.com

Tough Ducks

Oregon has struggled in prior years with a girth and physicality of chosen teams, and a 22-19 detriment to Auburn in a 2011 pretension diversion is a primary example. But Coach Mark Helfrich (above) might not be Chip Kelly 2.0, and that might be a good thing. The 41-year-old Helfrich, in only dual seasons as a lead male in Eugene, has managed to say extensive group speed while also adding a required bulk and toughness. Against strong Florida State, winners of 29 loyal games and a reigning inhabitant champs, Oregon displayed a intensity we hadn’t formerly known, twice interlude a Seminoles during a idea line. The group also showed a ability to palm a round off when needed. Sophomore using behind Thomas Tyner gashed a FSU interior for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Against Ohio State, watch out for Tyner’s reflection in a Ducks backfield, loyal beginner using behind Royce Freeman, who has amassed a conspicuous 19 touchdowns on a year. Bottom line, though? Against a uncertain Joey Bosa (a unanimous All-American during defensive end) and a gifted Buckeye defensive line, Mariota will gaunt on a using diversion in essential situations inside a 20s. And on a other side of a ball, Helfrich will need his invulnerability to bottle adult Ohio State’s star tailback Ezekiel Elliott.

“Defense Wins Championships”

The aged Bill Parcells proverb might not be as loyal in college football, yet Oregon’s invulnerability will need to come adult large once again. And, for all a speak about Mariota and a offense, a Ducks invulnerability has sensitively put together a rather considerable stretch. It has not authorised some-more than 20 points in a final 4 games, and managed to extent Winston to a squalid 29-45 stat line to go along with dual turnovers. First-year defensive coordinator Don Pellum was means to close down a electric Arizona offense to a season low of 224 yards on only 3.67 yards per play

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