3 & Out: Alternate Uniforms, Oregon Is Set at Quarterback and Dethroning the SEC
By Zach Pugh
1st Down: The world of alternate uniforms
You either hate them or love them. Surprisingly, I haven’t seen too much positive feedback on all the alternate uniforms that are popping up in the world of college football. Let’s start with Oregon and the plethora of uniforms it has donned over the last few years. Personally, I really love all the combinations the Ducks come out with every game. They have pushed the boundaries with their partner Nike and even unveiled new uniforms for the 2012 season.
The fun with alternate uniforms goes beyond making different combinations every game on NCAA Football 2013. I like the different looks from teams. Sure, nothing beats a classic Penn State navy or a Texas Longhorns burnt orange, but with the new age of technology and fast world we live in, the alternate uniform gives our minds a stimulating change.
The uniform Notre Dame will be wearing for their neutral site game against Miami in October is another great looking change. I’m not saying get rid of their traditional all gold helmets, but switching off with this, would be just fine with me. But Matt Hinton doesn’t feel the same way.
Boise State came out last season with a few different looks I enjoyed. It all began with the Nike Pro Combat uniforms they debuted in 2010 against Virginia Tech.
2012 will bring new Nike Pro Combat uniforms for teams like Arkansas, Florida, Rutgers and Missouri to name a few.
There is no need for me to go through every team’s alternate uniforms, but my point is, I’m a huge fan of the different looks. They add another sense of uniqueness to each team.
2nd Down: The Oregon Ducks won’t miss a beat
Many were puzzled when former Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas left a year early for the NFL Draft. There’s no shame in why he left.
“I saw what Cam Newton did this year (in the NFL). He took his raw talent and made a spark. I can do those things, too.”
While there is nothing wrong with Thomas being inspired by the play of Cam Newton, he should have stayed a final year and fine-tuned his passing skills for an NFL push. Maybe he felt he had accomplished all he could at Oregon with a 24-3 record as a starter, two Pac-12 championships and a Rose Bowl victory; we all know it was a mistake for his draft stock.
As the Ducks’ coaching staff had to move on from Thomas, so shall we.
Naturally, the biggest question has been will Bryan Bennett or Marcus Mariota take the reins of the offense behind center. Both Bennett and Mariota have made strong cases as to why they should be the man in command, but whichever Duck wins the starting job, the offense won’t miss a beat without Thomas.
First, Chip Kelly and staff have developed a successful system in Eugene; a well-oiled machine is more like it. They have recruited the players that fit the offensive system. The whole concept of plug-and-play has proved an accurate term to describe the Ducks during their recent success. Much like LeGarrett Blunt was replaced by LaMichael James (broke school records) and Jeremiah Masoli was replaced by Darron Thomas (broke school records), Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas will replace James and Bennett or Mariota will replace Thomas.
Secondly, both Bennett and Mariota have proved to have the proper talent to lead the fast paced spread-option offense for the Ducks. Bennett played in eight games for Oregon last season. He threw for six touchdowns and no interceptions in 46 attempts. He also proved he is a legit threat on the ground running for 8.7 yards per carry. He performed so brilliantly in place of Thomas (three consecutive games with at least 41 points scored), the question of a quarterback controversy even came up.
Redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota turned heads with his performance in the spring game where he threw for 202 yards (18-of-26 and 1 TD) and ran for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Mariota actually beat Bennett’s squad, 41-14. Mariota has shown the proper pocket presence in his short time with the Ducks and was recruited as a perfect fit for Oregon’s system.
One area where neither Bennett nor Mariota has proved themselves is under pressure. While I do see the Oregon offense remaining as it has been the last few years, Thomas performed under pressure and had experience how to handle adversity on the field.
Since the competition is so tight, don’t be surprised if Kelly takes this competitino well in to the Duck’s first three regular season games.
3rd Down: Dethroning the SEC in 2012 part 1
Will 2012 be the year the SEC streak of national championships comes to an end? Only time will tell, but there has to be a likely candidate right?
In next weeks’ 3 & Out I will give you two other teams that I think have the best chance of dethroning the SEC this season. For this week, I will give you my first choice.
First, let’s look at what it will take for a team going head-to-head with the SEC‘s best to win a BCS national championship (assuming an SEC team will be in the title game again). The team to dethrone the SEC will need a smash mouth defense that shouldn’t be ranked any lower than fifth in the nation. This team won’t necessarily need an elite quarterback, but will need a running game to control the pace of the game. This team would need speed on offense to match the speed on the SEC teams’ defense.
What teams fit that mold? Sorry Ohio State, but the post season ban eliminates you from this discussion immediately, but I do like the potential.
Texas
Yes I’m aware of the Longhorns’ quarterback situation, but Texas is a candidate because of their defense and ability to control a game with their rushing attack.
Defensively the Longhorns were right at the top with LSU and Alabama for a five game stretch last season where the Crimson Tide and Tigers were the only two defenses who allowed fewer yards than the Longhorns. Texas has seven starters returning from the best defense in the Big 12 last season in yards allowed per game, rushing yards allowed per game and pass yards per game. If David Ash or Case McCoy can just play the role of game manager and not turn the ball over, Texas’ defense would then have the chance to match the SEC representative.
Before you call me crazy, just look at the past few years in recruiting rankings. Who is near the top if not at the top? The Texas Longhorns.