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Oregon Football: 5 reasons why Ducks will turn things around in 2017

By Jerran Anderson

Apr 29, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon ducks running back Tony Brooks-James (20) celebrates following a touchdown at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon ducks running back Tony Brooks-James (20) celebrates following a touchdown at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 21, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt tells during spring practice at the Oregon Ducks outdoor practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt tells during spring practice at the Oregon Ducks outdoor practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Inexperience is the best teacher

The good thing for the Oregon Ducks is inexperience tends to be the best teacher when it comes to experience. Much like the offense, the defense returns a majority of its starters. With nine starters coming back, the taste of last season looms huge in how they perform this season.

The hiring of head coach Willie Taggart opened the door for a new defensive coordinator. Enter, Jim Leavitt, former defensive coordinator with the Colorado Buffaloes. Hiring away Leavitt from a Pac-12 foe is huge for the Ducks, especially considering what he did at Colorado.

Leavitt led a Buffaloes defense that ranked second in the Pac-12 in total yards allowed per game (342.9) and passing yards per game (193.1). The Colorado defense ranked 20th in the FBS in scoring defense last season, allowing 21.7 points per game. The Oregon Ducks defense allowed 41.4 points per game (126th in the FBS).

The Ducks defense is still a young squad, but after last season’s debacle, a simpler system under defensive coordinator Leavitt should do them some good. They allowed 247.0 rushing yards and 3.2 rushing touchdowns per game as a team last season.

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