College Football: 5 bold predictions for the 2021 season
By Dante Pryor
3. Oregon makes the College Football Playoff
It’s hard not to be bullish on the Ducks this fall. Offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead has a full offseason to work with the offense. Though Andy Avalos left to coach his alma mater, new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter had a full offseason as well.
If you don’t know DeRuyter well, he and California head coach Justin Wilcox helped turn around the defense at Berkeley. Ducks head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff have recruited the trenches extremely well the last few years. This has to be the season it pays off.
On the offensive side of the ball, veteran quarterback Anthony Brown might not be flashy, but he is steady and has played a lot of college football. Though Ty Thompson is waiting in the wings, Brown’s consistency will keep him on the field in Moorhead’s offense.
Defensively, Kayvon Thibodeaux is back for perhaps his final season. Justin Flowe comes back from injury, and Noah Sewell returns to form one of the formidable front sevens in the country. The secondary is a bit of a concern because of inexperience, but they are a talented group.
Everything is riding on their game against Ohio State. The Buckeyes are vulnerable. Ohio State’s secondary does not have a legit Jeff Okudah-like shutdown corner, and the defensive line is without a dominant pass rusher.
If Oregon can find a way on the road, they are going to the playoff.