With the beginning of the 2014-2015 season just over a week away, the Ducks are looking like the team to beat in the Pac-12 as they’ve been picked by multiple media outlets as the frontrunner to win the Pac-12. While it’s a good thing to be picked as the favorite, it also means that every team will be gunning for them.
These are the four teams that have the potential to knock Oregon off the road to the Pac-12 championship game and beyond.
No. 7 UCLA
As of right now, the Bruins are the highest-ranked team that the Ducks are scheduled to play this year. Especially considering that they’re led by Heisman-contending quarterback Brett Hundley. Don’t be fooled by all the preseason hype that Hundley is getting because although he is a great player, he has a very solid supporting cast. Wide receiver Devin Fuller and running back Paul Perkins add threats at the skill positions on offense, while Eric Kendricks and Myles Jack combine to be one of the top linebacker duos on the conference. Combine UCLA’s swagger with its recent string of success, makes the Bruins a tough matchup for the Ducks.
No. 10 Stanford
Oregon’s achilles heel is Stanford and everyone knows it. It’s not just the fact that Oregon has lost to Stanford the past two years, it’s more about the way Oregon lost, being outplayed on both sides of the ball en-route to defining losses. Although Stanford has lost quite a bit on the defensive side of the ball, Stanford is expected to reload and be just as good. Offensively, the Cardinal should be better with Kevin Hogan leading the way and a healthy Ty Montgomery at wide receiver. Also, Barry Sanders Jr. looks to be a shadow of his dad when he takes the field as the primary running back for the Cardinal.
No. 25 Washington
Every year, regardless of the rankings, the Oregon-Washington game is one for every Duck and Husky fan to mark on their calendar. Under the new tutelage of Chris Petersen, Washington is expected to make a jump in a positive direction and that could be huge in ending its decade-long losing streak to the Ducks. One person who could single-handedly cause Oregon some serious avow is Shaq Thompson, a junior linebacker who may also see time at running back.
Utah
Utah may not be the most talented team in the Pac-12, but if the cards are in favor for Oregon leading up to this game on November 8, this could be the most dangerous game for the Ducks. For every team in the country, there is a game called a “trap” game and this one has all the makings of it. The week prior, Oregon will face Stanford at home and if the Ducks can pull that victory out, they will then have to travel on the road to Utah, a tough place to win, regardless of the situation or team. Last year, Utah played spoiler to Stanford in a 27-21 victory and could very well do the same to Oregon.
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka