By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season
It's funny how, in the year of the quarterback in the PAC 10, one team without a star at the position seems the consensus pick to win the league.
Oregon lost Jeremiah Masoli after a pair of off-field incidents led to his dismissal. The dual-threat quarterback is now at Mississipi (get it?), but the cupboard in Eugene is hardly bare.
EXTRA: 2009 Images -- USC at Oregon
Last year might have been the year of the freshman runnning back, as Pitt's Dion Lewis and Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams turned heads with stellar seasons. But Oregon's LaMichael James was just as explosive and is a preseason second-team All-American this year. His 1,546 yards in 2009 set a PAC 10 freshman record.
All three of last year's top wideouts, including Jeff Maehl, return, as do all five starters from the offensive line. If there's one team that can run the ball while a new quarterback -- likely fifth-year senior Nate Costa -- settles in this year, it will be Oregon.
HALLOWEEN IMAGES: Freaks Come Out To Watch Ducks Trick Trojans
Eight starters return on defense, including linebacker Casey Matthews, who might contend for national honors, and three members of the secondary, including safety John Boyett. Athletic sackmaster Kenny Rowe is back for his senior season on the defensive line.
Who's back? RB LaMichael James, WR Jeff Maehl, OT Bo Thran, DE Kenny Rowe, LB Casey Matthews
Who's gone? QB Jeremiah Masoli, RB LeGarrette Blount, TE Ed Dickson, S T.J. Ward
Why they'll win: Even without Masoli, so much experience and talent return on offense.
Why they'll lose: The coaching is there, the playmakers are there, the experience on both sides of the ball is there. A quarterback fail is the only thing that can doom the Ducks.
Get your tickets: at Tennessee (Sept. 11), at USC (Oct. 30), at Oregon State (Dec. 4)
Prediction: 11-1 (8-1, PAC 10 champs)