2012-13 Football Previews – (Pac 12) – Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks have become a true national power in college football over the last three years. Chip Kelly had no previous head coaching experience, but he has proven to be an excellent hire for Oregon. Kelly has taken the program from a solid yearly winner to a team capable of playing for a title each year.
PAC 12 Conference 2012-2013 College Football Previews: Oregon Ducks
Head Coach: Chip Kelly
2011 Record: 12-2
Oregon Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win BCS Championship: +1,200
Oregon Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win PAC 12 Conference: +215
Oregon Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
The Ducks were very young in 2011, but they lost just two games. Oregon was beaten 40-27 by LSU in the season opener and 38-35 by USC. The Ducks scored at least 27 points in every game.
Kelly’s offensive system is unique and it is clear that players love to play in it. The Ducks have a great balanced offense that moves at the speed of light. Oregon finished last season with a 45-38 win in the Rose Bowl over Wisconsin.
It was the team’s first Rose Bowl win since 1917. Can they keep that momentum going into 2012?
Team Strengths:
Oregon has speed all over the field. The past few years have shown how important team speed is when trying to win it all. The Ducks will be faster than just about any team they play this year.
Chip Kelly knows that in order to get the most out of his team, he needs to utilize their advantages in the speed department.
It’s hard to imagine a backfield that lost LaMichael James still being an area of strength, but the Ducks will be great in the backfield again this year. Kenjon Barner is a home run hitter in the backfield, and D’Anthony Thomas may be the nation’s most versatile play maker. Expect Thomas to get a lot more action at tailback this season.
The Ducks defensive line is great at pressuring the opposing quarterback. Oregon racked up 45 sacks last year. Nick Alioti likes to have an eight-man rotation along the defensive line. Defensive End Dion Jordan is the star of this group, and he led the team with 7.5 sacks last year.
Team Weaknesses:
Darron Thomas left a year early, which surprised quite a few people. The Ducks have plenty of talent at the quarterback position, but it will be interesting to see if the quarterback competition slows this team’s offense down this season. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Michael Bennett should be a solid option under center, but there are always risks when you have little experience at this position.
Oregon’s defense has been susceptible against the run over the last couple years. Wisconsin piled up 38 points by pounding the ball down the Ducks throat in the Rose Bowl. Expect more teams to try to line up and run it against Oregon.
The Ducks will need to stuff the run better this year.
2012-2013 Oregon Ducks Football Prediction: 12-2
Oregon has an extremely talented team again in 2012.
The quarterback spot will likely determine how far this team can go this year. While USC is loaded this season, it certainly wouldn’t be a shock if Oregon won the PAC 12.
This program knows how to win, and it won’t be easy to dethrone the Ducks.
Look for Oregon to have another very successful season, but there are probably a couple too many question marks for this team to get back to the BCS Championship game.
Still, Oregon is a virtual lock to win at least 10 or 11 games.
2012 Schedule
9/1/12 10:30 PM ET ARKST
9/8/12 TBD FRSST
9/15/12 TBD TTECH
9/22/12 TBD ARZ
9/29/12 TBD @WSHST
10/6/12 TBD WASH
10/18/12 9:00 PM ET @ARZST
10/27/12 TBD COL
11/3/12 TBD @USC
11/10/12 TBD @CAL
11/17/12 TBD STAN
11/24/12 TBD @OREST
One reply on “2012 Oregon Ducks College Gambling Odds | Predictions”
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