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39. Oregon
Coach:
Mike Bellotti is 106-52 in 13 seasons in Eugene.
Last season:
9-4. The Ducks were sailing along at 8-1 until quarterback Dennis Dixon, a strong contender for the Heisman up to that moment, was lost for the remainder of the season to an injury. Oregon lost three straight, then righted itself behind freshman quarterback Justin Roper, beating South Florida in the Sun Bowl (56-21).
Studs:
Max Unger may be the best left tackle west of the Rockies. Running back Jeremiah Johnson should return to form after recovering from a 2007 knee injury. Junior college transfer LeGarrette Blount also promises to pile up some rushing yards out of the backfield. Defense will be Oregon's strong suit with end Nick Reed and rover back Patrick Chung leading the charge.
Scoop:
Freshman Justin Roper may have gotten the QB job done for Oregon in last season's bowl game but he may not win the starting QB job going into this season. Bellotti looked at six candidates in the spring and will probably go with sophomore Nick Costa, another Duck sidelined last year by injury. The defense and a strong running game will have to hold things together until the quarterback question is definitively answered.
Prediction:
7-5
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