College Football Top 25 projections after 2018 spring practices

Oregon entered the spring as one of the biggest question marks. On their third head coach in as many seasons, the Ducks could go one of two directions. They could potentially emerge as a breakout team in 2018, with a top-shelf quarterback and plenty of raw talent. Just as easily, Oregon could backslide further from the highs of the Chip Kelly/Mark Helfrich years.

At the spring game, young players stepped up at key positions. Daewood Davis looks like he could be a breakout star at receiver this season, and CJ Verdell looks ready to try to fill the void left in the backfield by Royce Freeman‘s graduation. The defense should also continue to improve thanks to Jim Leavitt’s return as defensive coordinator.

Add it all up and everything is in position for a major Oregon renaissance in 2018. AP voters are likely going to look at Oregon and the past few years as a blip. As long as Justin Herbert stays healthy at quarterback, the Ducks are going to be Pac-12 North contenders. Barring major developments over the offseason, they will likely open the season in the high teens or low 20s of the AP Top 25.