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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 29, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon defensive lineman Jalen Jelks (97) and cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. (11) talk with Oregon head coach Willie Taggart at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon defensive lineman Jalen Jelks (97) and cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. (11) talk with Oregon head coach Willie Taggart at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Willie Taggart looks prime for the big stage

Head coach Willie Taggart looks like he’s ready for the big stage. After accumulating a record of 16-20 in three seasons at Western Kentucky, he made the jump to South Florida. At South Florida, Taggart went 34-27 in five seasons as head coach.

His next stop with the Oregon Ducks could be the big break he’s needed all along. After leading the South Florida Bulls to back-to-back 10-win seasons, Taggart looks ready to lead at a Power-5 program.

Taggart brings a renewed focus to a team that needs to let its playmakers thrive in open space on the field. After what he did with quarterback Quinton Flowers, anything is possible.

Flowers threw for 2,812 passing yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for another 1,530 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. He was the 2016 American Conference Player of the Year showcasing his skills as both a passer and rusher in the conference.

Taggart has a passer in quarterback Justin Herbert and two rushers in Royce Freeman and Tony Brooks-James. With all three weapons on offense, the possibilities to thrive in the Pac-12 are endless for Taggart and the Oregon Ducks.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Way-too-early edition

Now, they’ll just need to watch out for the Washington Huskies, Stanford Cardinal and USC Trojans, teams who are sure to challenge for the Pac-12 title.

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