Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2021 college football season

It was a weird year in Eugene, as the defending Pac-12 champions successfully repeated as the league winners despite failing to top their own division. With Washington unable to play the Ducks due to COVID-19 cases on the Huskies and thus also unable to play in the Pac-12 title game, the league sent Oregon to fill the spot. Mario Cristobal’s team made the most of the chance, crushing USC and earning a futile bid to the Fiesta Bowl.

The AP voters will largely forget the double-digit defeat at the hands of Iowa State. Instead they will focus on a stout Ducks defense that will need to adjust to life under a new coordinator after Andy Avalos took over as head coach at his alma mater Boise State. Oregon also needs to figure out how to maximize Tyler Shough’s talents at quarterback in a way that complements the Ducks ground game. Oregon will look to rebound on defense after averaging more than 400 yards conceded and handing over more than four touchdowns per game.

Fresno State comes to Eugene on opening weekend in 2021, offering one chance to warm up before the Ducks head cross-country to play Ohio State at the Horseshoe. Oregon also must travel to Seattle this year to play Washington along with conference road dates against Stanford, UCLA, and Arizona. Could a more normal offseason help propel a young Ducks team back into the national discussion among Top 25 teams next season?