Oregon Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020 season

With an elite defense and young talent across the board, Oregon football is poised to make a run at the College Football Playoff.

Oregon’s playoff hopes went up in smoke in a visit to Tempe last fall. After losing the season opener to Auburn, Oregon was rolling through the Pac-12 and had a playoff spot in sight. They suffered a shocking loss to Arizona State and true freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels and had to settle for a Rose Bowl berth after upsetting Utah in the Pac-12 title game.

Oregon is returning six starters from a very good defense and just had one of the best recruiting classes in the country. Head coach Mario Cristobal has the Ducks on the rise and has them thinking playoff in 2020.

The big question that the Ducks will have to answer is who replaces Justin Herbert at quarterback after he used up his eligibility and was selected sixth overall in the NFL draft. The favorite to replace Herbert is redshirt sophomore Tyler Shough. He does not have much experience, but will have two very talented running backs and four of the top five receivers will be back as well.

Oregon will have to replace four starters on the offensive line, but have the best tackle in the nation in Penei Sewell who will be a top five pick in next year’s NFL draft.

Former Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead was hired as the new offensive coordinator and he has a history of developing talent on that side of the ball.

The defense will be stout, especially in the secondary, with star safety Jevon Holland leading the way and the pass rush should be excellent as well with sophomore defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Oregon faces lofty expectations this season and here’s how I believe the 2020 season will play out for the Ducks.