Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Oregon Football: 5 bold predictions for the Ducks in 2017

By George Wrighster III

EUGENE - NOVEMBER 2: Oregon tightend George Wrighster #81 pulls in the pass from Jason Fife for a 5-yard touchdown during the NCAA football game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on November 2, 2002 in Eugene Oregon. The University of Oregon Ducks defeated the Stanford Cardinal 41-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
EUGENE - NOVEMBER 2: Oregon tightend George Wrighster #81 pulls in the pass from Jason Fife for a 5-yard touchdown during the NCAA football game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on November 2, 2002 in Eugene Oregon. The University of Oregon Ducks defeated the Stanford Cardinal 41-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next

4. Justin Herbert is a Heisman Finalist

When I was playing for the Ducks, I never fathomed any player could ever be more beloved at the university than “Joey Heisman” Harrington. Well, I was wrong. Marcus Mariota blew that notion out of the water. He stole the hearts and minds of not only Ducks fans, but many college football fans around the country. Before you say, “there could never be a player to surpass Mariota in the pantheon of Oregon greats”, I present to you Justin Herbert.

Herbert is not only from Oregon, the kid is from Eugene! Imagine if he wins the Heisman, and one day a National Championship. The powers that be might rename Autzen Stadium, Herbert Stadium. Let me be the first to tell you — This. Is. Possible.

Last year in fall camp, multiple Oregon players told me Herbert should have been the Week 1 starter. Once Herbert finally got the starting job, he never looked back. As a true freshman, he showed flashes of being a special player in every game. He finished the season passing for almost 2,000 yards with 19 TDs in seven starts.

This season, the offensive line will be significantly improved allowing Herbert time to pass for over 4,000 yards, rush for over 500 and have 40 total touchdowns. These stats alone will land Herbert as a Heisman finalist. The one thing that will put him over the edge in the Heisman race is an Oregon Ducks Top 10 finish.

Before, you tell me Justin Herbert can’t win the Heisman, remember no one thought Lamar Jackson from Louisville would win the Heisman last season.

Home/Oregon Ducks