PROS
1) They have the most explosive offense in the nation, leading the nation in total yards per game (569.2) and scoring (56.6 points per game).
2) The defense is scary fast and much improved, giving up only 15.0 points per game and tied for 2nd in the nation with 11 interceptions. The 7 forced turnovers against Arizona State were critical.
3) LaMichael James (2nd in the nation with 712 yards in only 4 games) and Kenjon Barner (5 touchdowns in Week 1 with James suspended) rival Ingram and Richardson for the title of best backfield in America.
4) Redshirt sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas has quickly matured and replaced Jeremiah Masoli as the dual-threat QB in Oregon's spread-option system. Anyone who watched him lead the Ducks back against Stanford after falling behind 21-3 knows this kid is for real.
CONS
1) Many have said that Oregon hasn't truly been tested by its soft schedule. New Mexico and Portland State are certainly throwaway games. Beating Tennessee by 35 in Rocky Top looks more impressive after the Volunteers lost to Florida there by 14 and should have won AT LSU, though.
2) Oregon lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl last January. If the teams haven't changed too much and neither team has lost, shouldn't Ohio State be higher? (No, but it's an argument)
3) Oregon should never be #1 because Nike gives them too much money so they don't deserve it (actual argument often advanced on message boards).
your oregon bias is coming through...james and barner (while maybe a great duo) are nowhere near the level of ingram and richardson. Richardson may actually be the second best back in the country...
ReplyDeleteI beg to differ. They may be better at different things, but you can't say they're nowhere near the same level. James and Barner are much better suited for the system they are in, and vice versa. Speed vs. power. If you're comparing NFL readiness, then that's a different question entirely.
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