All About Oregon Ducks » Are the Ducks a Top Five Team?

Mission Accomplished · 1/04/2020 11:53 am

Ken Goe just wrote about what we all anticipate. The Ducks will probably end up as a top 5 team. We all know that. Do they deserve that ranking? In my mind, no - top 10 yes.

They have a top 5 defense (and may be at the top next year), but their offense sputtered far too often. Also, you don't lose to a team like Arizona State when you're a top 5 team. And this brings us back to the offensive coordinator topic, and how much freedom Cristobal will give the offense. They have the talent. Mario's next decision could end up being the difference between the playoffs next year, or struggling to win the PAC again.

What do you think?

Log haulin · 1/04/2020 12:30 pm

I agree, I would put them top 5 defensively. That defense can get pretty nasty. The team as a whole doesn't feel top 5. I would put them 7 or 8 tops. Key injuries and poor offensive production (minus W-L record) makes me hesitant to put them in my top 5. The 12-2 record is a top 5 record for sure, they just didn't pass the eye test offensively. Sucks because they have the talent.

Phil · 1/04/2020 12:43 pm

You could make an argument for being 5, but making the jump into the top 4 is what really matters with going forward. I agree that the offense will have to make some improvements to make it to the playoffs next year. I'm certainly getting impatient waiting to find out who the new OC is.

MadDuck · 1/04/2020 1:09 pm

Mission Accomplished wrote:
Ken Goe just wrote about what we all anticipate. The Ducks will probably end up as a top 5 team. We all know that. Do they deserve that ranking? In my mind, no - top 10 yes.

They have a top 5 defense (and may be at the top next year), but their offense sputtered far too often. Also, you don't lose to a team like Arizona State when you're a top 5 team. And this brings us back to the offensive coordinator topic, and how much freedom Cristobal will give the offense. They have the talent. Mario's next decision could end up being the difference between the playoffs next year, or struggling to win the PAC again.

What do you think?

When you say top 5 teams don’t lose to ASU... Georgie lost to South Carolina...

oldretiredguy · 1/04/2020 2:00 pm

Mission Accomplished wrote:
Ken Goe just wrote about what we all anticipate. The Ducks will probably end up as a top 5 team. We all know that. Do they deserve that ranking? In my mind, no - top 10 yes.

They have a top 5 defense (and may be at the top next year), but their offense sputtered far too often. Also, you don't lose to a team like Arizona State when you're a top 5 team. And this brings us back to the offensive coordinator topic, and how much freedom Cristobal will give the offense. They have the talent. Mario's next decision could end up being the difference between the playoffs next year, or struggling to win the PAC again.

What do you think?

I feel, given we're talking about this year, they would be deserving of a top 5 ranking. To me, it will be interesting to see where they are ranked in next years pre-season polls.

Pete · 1/04/2020 2:19 pm

Mission Accomplished wrote:
Ken Goe just wrote about what we all anticipate. The Ducks will probably end up as a top 5 team. We all know that. Do they deserve that ranking? In my mind, no - top 10 yes.

They have a top 5 defense (and may be at the top next year), but their offense sputtered far too often. Also, you don't lose to a team like Arizona State when you're a top 5 team. And this brings us back to the offensive coordinator topic, and how much freedom Cristobal will give the offense. They have the talent. Mario's next decision could end up being the difference between the playoffs next year, or struggling to win the PAC again.

What do you think?

I would say the 2019 team is definitely in the top 10 and possibly the top 5 . . . however, that means Herbert et al is on the team. Is the 2020 team there? I don't know. I hope they will be.

Phil · 1/04/2020 2:47 pm

Pete wrote:
Mission Accomplished wrote:
Ken Goe just wrote about what we all anticipate. The Ducks will probably end up as a top 5 team. We all know that. Do they deserve that ranking? In my mind, no - top 10 yes.

They have a top 5 defense (and may be at the top next year), but their offense sputtered far too often. Also, you don't lose to a team like Arizona State when you're a top 5 team. And this brings us back to the offensive coordinator topic, and how much freedom Cristobal will give the offense. They have the talent. Mario's next decision could end up being the difference between the playoffs next year, or struggling to win the PAC again.

What do you think?
I would say the 2019 team is definitely in the top 10 and possibly the top 5 . . . however, that means Herbert et al is on the team. Is the 2020 team there? I don't know. I hope they will be.

2020 has a lot of change in store for the offense. New OC, QB, and everyone on the O-Line except Penei. They have the potential to be really good. I'm feeling pretty good about the QB situation. I'm really excited at the prospect of Noah Sewell running in touchdowns when they're in the redzone. Who's going to stop Penei clearing the way for Noah?

Mission Accomplished · 1/04/2020 2:51 pm

MadDuck wrote:
Mission Accomplished wrote:
Ken Goe just wrote about what we all anticipate. The Ducks will probably end up as a top 5 team. We all know that. Do they deserve that ranking? In my mind, no - top 10 yes.

They have a top 5 defense (and may be at the top next year), but their offense sputtered far too often. Also, you don't lose to a team like Arizona State when you're a top 5 team. And this brings us back to the offensive coordinator topic, and how much freedom Cristobal will give the offense. They have the talent. Mario's next decision could end up being the difference between the playoffs next year, or struggling to win the PAC again.

What do you think?
When you say top 5 teams don’t lose to ASU... Georgie lost to South Carolina...

Good point. It does happen. I wouldn't necessarily put OU or Georgia ahead of Oregon.

Uncle Moron · 1/04/2020 2:52 pm

There were three teams clearly above the rest (LSU, CLEMSON, and OSU) and several teams who could look like (or not) a top 5 team on any given week. The Ducks have as good an argument as any of them.

DucksReign · 1/04/2020 6:38 pm

I will not complain if they are!

Not sure if there is a clear cut #4 team so Oregon at least belongs in the discussion to make the Top 5.

I am not as harsh on the ASU lost. Oregon lost by a FG on the road. ASU finished 8-5 while South Carolina who beat Georgia finished 4-8 yet the number of teams in the country who could beat Georgia are probaby in the single digits.

Honestly, Utah getting destroyed in the Alamo Bowl by Texas hurts Oregon more than the ASU game in my opinion. Oregon looked like a Top 5 team in the Pac-12 Championship Game and then when Utah failed to compete in the Alamo Bowl...not a good look.

Regardless, again, I think Oregon belongs in the discussion and that is good enough for me! Go Ducks!

Last edited by DucksReign (1/04/2020 6:38 pm)

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1/04/2020 11:53 am #1

Are the Ducks a Top Five Team?

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1/04/2020 1:09 pm #4

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Mission Accomplished wrote:

1/04/2020 2:00 pm #5

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Mission Accomplished wrote:

1/04/2020 2:19 pm #6

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Mission Accomplished wrote:

1/04/2020 2:47 pm #7

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Pete wrote:

Mission Accomplished wrote:

1/04/2020 2:51 pm #8

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MadDuck wrote:

Mission Accomplished wrote:

1/04/2020 2:52 pm #9

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1/04/2020 6:38 pm #10

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