College Football Preview 2015-2016: 8. Oregon Ducks

Royce Freeman

8. Oregon Ducks


2014-2015 Record: 13-2 (8-1 Pac-12)
Coach: Mark Helfrich, third year (24-4 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: QB Marcus Mariota, CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
Heisman Hopeful: RB Royce Freeman
Breakout Player: WR Jalen Brown

Although Oregon has been among the elite programs of the college football world the past few years, it has yet to claim a national championship, despite multiple trips. They were agonizingly close to it last year, when Heisman winner Marcus Mariota pushed the Ducks to an appearance against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Unfortunately, injuries and suspensions contributed to a poor effort in the game, and sent Ducks' fans into another offseason coming off a good season, but one that came without the ultimate prize. In 2015, Oregon hopes that it can finally get over the hump and win that elusive national title. Even without Mariota, they should have a decent chance. They have their usual fair share of speed and explosiveness offensively, while their defense should be solid. Overall, the Ducks have a very strong chance at returning to their second straight College Football Playoff.

Backfield: Marcus Mariota should have a very good chance at going down as perhaps the greatest Oregon Duck ever. The Heisman winner fit the up-tempo Oregon offense perfectly and it translated to unparalleled success. Though, he is off to the NFL, leaving Mark Helfrich and offensive coordinator Scott Frost with tough decisions to make. Things were supposed to be easier for the Ducks when Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams announced he was joining the Ducks for his final season of college football. The prolific quarterback constantly spurned Pac-12 defenses while at EWU, and even led the Eagles to an upset over then-No.25 Oregon State two years ago. But, eligibility questions and much more are questions for Adams. In fact, as of me writing this, his future with the Ducks is completely uncertain. If he does gain clearance to play for Oregon it will be tough for him to pick up the complicated playbook quickly. With those questions surrounding him, junior Jeff Lockie will have a decent shot to take over the job. Lockie has seen only garbage time in two years of backing up Mariota, but has a strong grasp of the playbook and has talent. He isn't the runner that Mariota or Adams is, but he possesses decent mobility and good accuracy. The good news for the Ducks is that talent at running back is no problem. Royce Freeman was terrific last year, his true freshman campaign, running for 1,365 yards and 18 touchdowns. Blessed with power as well as electric speed, Freeman poses a considerable problem to every opposing defense he faces. With Oregon leaning even more on their ground game than last year, Freeman's numbers should only increase, and he could become a popular Heisman name. Only likely to increase Freeman's workload more is the fact that his backup, junior Thomas Tyner, is likely out for the season after needing shoulder surgery just weeks ago. That leaves Helfrich and Frost searching for some new weapons to throw up behind Freeman, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Senior Byron Marshall was a 1,000 yard rusher in 2013 before making a move to a wide receiver role last season. He should spend the majority of snaps at receiver, but Oregon will still be creative in getting him the ball, possibly on rushes. True freshman Taj Griffin arrives from all the way over in Georgia and brings a dynamic weapon. He could certainly see a large chunk of snaps this year, Oregon has never shied away from giving true freshman playing time.

Darren Carrington

Receivers: Marcus Mariota didn't need a lot of help last season, he was just that good. The thing is, he didn't receive a lot from Oregon's depleted receiver corps that had injuries hurting it all year. Now, nearly every big name is healthy, meaning this unit could be stacked. Perhaps the most reliable target Lockie/Adams will get to work with is Byron Marshall. After moving from tailback, Marshall showed his impressive catching ability, catching 74 passes for 1,003 yards. Marshall contemplated an early trip to the NFL, but his return is huge for the Ducks. He may not put up huge numbers, but he is an effective, productive weapon to have on the roster. Expect big things from sophomore Devon Allen, who hopes to be ready for the regular season after hurting his leg in the Rose Bowl victory over Florida State. Also a track star at Oregon, Allen is among the fastest and most exciting receivers in the Pac-12 and nation. He still has to add some bulk to his frame and work on route running but if he can get space, he is lethal. Oregon fans will also be excited to see Bralon Addison back healthy. Addison missed all of last season after a torn ACL in spring practice, this coming after a huge 2013 when he was among the best playmakers in the conference. You have to wonder how quick and explosive he will be coming off that injury, but he should still do serious damage. He is yet another player that can score every time he touches the ball on this Oregon roster, and he is so deadly in open space. The Ducks will also be creative with how they get him touches. The return of junior Dwayne Stanford is another plus for Oregon. Unlike most of the smaller, quicker targets on this roster, Stanford is huge. He stands at 6'5", 205 pounds and appears more like a tight end than a receiver. He still has deceptive speed and explosiveness, but should figure more as a short yardage-type weapon in the passing game. Stanford should also be a dangerous weapon in the play action game, using his superior athleticism to beat slower defenders. Sophomore Darren Carrington came on strong towards the end of the season, but a failed drug test knocked him out of the Championship game. That was unfortunate for both Carrington and the Ducks, and the young receiver will be eager to put that way behind him. Carrington is blessed with good hands and is a tough guy to bring down. While there are a number of weapons in front of him on the depth chart, redshirt freshman Jalen Brown could still breakout. Brown entered Eugene last year with lofty expectations by many, but instead saw a redshirt campaign. He bulked up even more to add to his agility and elusiveness that he already has. He is a crazy weapon who could grow into a deep threat option. Tight end is a considerable strength for the Ducks, as senior Pharoah Brown and junior Evan Baylis return. Brown proved to be among the conference's best tight ends in 2014, with 25 receptions for 420 yards and six touchdowns. He should continue to be a formidable target in the red zone.

Offensive Line: Injuries also crippled the Ducks' offensive line at points last year, and it wasn't truly healthy until the end of the year. The group will have to endure some growing pains this season, as three starters are gone, all leaders and superb linemen. Center Hroniss Grasu was a longtime staple at that spot who worked wonderfully with the shotgun and other formations, while tackle Jake Fisher was an All-Pac-12 caliber linemen when healthy. Plus, guard Hamani Steens was an All-Conference pick a year ago. Now, Grasu is off to Sundays along with Fisher, who was selected in the second round by Cincinnati. The good news for the Ducks is that they added Notre Dame transfer Matt Hegarty, who could certainly take over Grasu's starting slot. Hegarty was a solid contributor with the Fighting Irish, but decided to spend his final year of college football on the West Coast. Hegarty possesses experience along with versatility, as he can spend time at both center and guard. Hegarty will be expected from the beginning to be a leader to a pretty inexperienced unit, along with senior tackle Tyler Johnstone. Johnstone has all the tools to be a great tackle, towering over defenders at 6'6", and nearly 300 pounds. But, he has been inconsistent in his Ducks career and could still have some ups-and-downs in his senior campaign. Joining Johnstone on the left side of the offensive line should be senior Matt Pierson, who also has great size. Pierson is a great run blocker with solid athleticism and should be very productive this season. The right side of the unit could be a serious problem. Sophomore Tyrell Crosby saw a lot of action a season ago, but still is prone to mistakes at right tackle. The right guard spot, meanwhile, is really a toss up at this point. Junior Cameron Hunt did see some action in 2014, but he certainly could be pushed by a number of younger guards. Sophomores Jake Pisarcik and Evan Voeller are young linemen with quite a bit of upside who add depth to the interior of the line. Four-star prospect Zach Okun decided to stick on the West Coast (from California) and he could see a decent amount of playing time early in his career.

Defensive Line: Few players in the college football world were as imposing as Arik Armstead over his playing time with the Ducks (height of 6'7", moved extremely well despite size). Though, Armstead was never a sack machine with Oregon, so it is a positive for the Ducks that he was really their only loss on the defensive line. The top player on the unit should be senior DeForest Buckner, who earned All-Conference honors for his performance a year ago. Buckner showed the ability to be a great run defender (with 80 tackles) but can also use his strength and power to get to the quarterback, with four sacks last season. Sure to start at the other defensive end is going to be junior T.J. Daniel, a possible breakout candidate. Daniel hasn't seen consistent playing time yet in his career with Oregon, but he has all the tools to be very, very good. He is another linemen with good size (6'6", 275 pounds) who showed flashes in the spring. Expect true freshman Canton Kaumatule to see playing time at one of the defensive end spots as well. Kaumatule is widely viewed as a five-star prospect, hailing from Honolulu, Hawaii. Kaumatule plays with ferocity, and has an unrelenting motor. Kaumatule also possesses the versatility to play inside at defensive tackle or even play on the offensive line. Rounding out the starters on Oregon's 3-4 unit should be senior tackle Alex Balducci, a productive veteran. Balducci proved to be serviceable last year, with 18 tackles, and three of them going for a loss. He can clog up running lanes, and offers plenty of knowledge and leadership at the position. There is a solid amount of depth in the unit, as names like sophomore Henry Mondeaux and more should vie for action. Mondeaux is a physically gifted defensive end who could still put some serious pressure on quarterbacks in a reserve role. Other than Kaumatule, Gary Baker is the most likely in the Class of 2015 to see action at defensive line. The tackle still has to bulk up for Pac-12 play (sitting at around 280 pounds right now) but he offers plenty of potential, especially in a few years for Oregon and second-year defensive coordinator Don Pellum.

Linebackers: The Ducks' linebacker corps is not devoid of losses either as longtime contributors Tony Washington and Derrick Malone both departed this offseason. Washington made a living rushing the passer off the edge for the Ducks, while Malone's 85 tackles will not be easily replaced. Though, there is still a lot of talent in this unit, and it drips with athleticism. Maybe the most recognizable weapon in the unit is versatile senior Joe Walker. Walker has the size and strength to be a great pass rusher off the edge but he may see more action at inside 'backer this season, due to need. Walker proved to be a very valuable asset for the Ducks last season, with 81 tackles and eight tackles for loss. The outside linebacker positions are in very good shape, with two seniors slated to start at them. Senior Christian French is primed for a big year, and returns as the Ducks' leader in sacks, after picking up 6.5 last year. French has an explosive first step that is full of power and unless you chip him with a tight end or running back he is going to hit the quarterback. He is rather one-dimensional at the moment but there is reason for optimism that he could grow into a complete and well-rounded linebacker. The other outside linebacker spot is sure to be manned by fellow senior Tyson Coleman. A solid, productive veteran, Coleman proved to be a playmaker in 2014. He had 44 tackles, three sacks and recorded an interception. He isn't a wonderful run stopper but he makes up for it with speed and instincts. He offers a lot as a pass rusher and both him and French should constantly be wrecking havoc off the edge. Joining Walker in the middle is going to be senior Rodney Hardrick, who moves to an increased role. Hardrick did see a good dose of action last season, and did well, with 75 tackles and six tackles for loss to show for it. He is a little bit undersized, but Hardrick is a gritty and determined player and he should put together a strong campaign. Sophomore Justin Hollins is one of a number of backups who is sure to see some action. Hollins offers considerable upside as a backup at one of the outside 'backer positions. Expect JUCO transfer Paris Bostick to see a lot of action in his first year with the Ducks. Despite not an overwhelming highly rated recruit, Bostick is a decent, three-star prospect out of Santa Monica College who will work hard.

Secondary: A late season knee injury put a short and unexciting end to the illustrious career of cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, perhaps the greatest defender Oregon football has ever seen. The former All-American wasn't 100 percent for much of last season but still managed 63 tackles, two picks and nine pass deflections. As much as that solid production hurts, even more worrying is the sudden departure of leadership and experience. Joining Ekpre-Olomu in graduating was Troy Hill, meaning Oregon will throw in two relatively untested cornerbacks, not exactly a good thing in the pass-happy Pac-12. Sophomore Charles Nelson is a fun player to watch. The tiny, 5'8" cornerback is lightning bug quick but isn't a great tackler. He still has a lot of room to grow as a defender, but is already established on special teams and could even see action offensively. Joining Nelson should be fellow sophomore Chris Seisay, a solid, if rather underwhelming corner. Seisay isn't the fastest or biggest guy on the field but he is a well-rounded defensive back who Pellum and the Ducks will lean on heavily in 2015. Yet another sophomore, Arrion Springs arrived on campus last season with a lot of fanfare and could certainly see his fair share of snaps in his second year with Oregon. While the cornerback situation is shaky, the safety spots are in pretty good hands. Sophomore Tyree Robinson is a special player. Gifted with NFL size, at 6'4", 205 pounds, Robinson also has incredible range and quickness. His 36 tackles last season were good, but expect even more from Robinson, with another year under his belt. Junior Reggie Daniels is the expected starter at free safety after a very good sophomore season. He put together a year of 83 tackles, one interception and nine pass deflections, making plays sideline to sideline. Daniels doesn't quite have the size of Robinson but he can still lay down huge hits and play with aggressiveness. Recruiting wise, the Ducks added a couple defensive backs who could contribute. Chief among them has to be four-star Ugo Amadi, who comes all the way from Nashville, Tennessee. Amadi may actually have a chance at a starting gig if Seisay or Nelson don't perform.

Special Teams: Charles Nelson earned All-Pac-12 honors for his return skills last year, returning two punts for scores. Nelson will be helped in the return game by Bralon Addison, who was always a threat to take one back when healthy. Oregon doesn't kick or punt very much, but at least there is some experience there with junior Matt Wogan and Aidan Schneider both back at kicker.

It's the same common theme in Eugene. There is speed and crazy talent offensively, as well as in some areas defensively. Plus, the Ducks have down a wonderful job bulking up in their front seven, as they have been oft-criticized for being too soft defensively. Though, the quarterback situation is worrying. Adams is a great talent, but can he learn the playbook? Lockie didn't do much in garbage time and things won't have a lot of time to sort themselves out, with a September 12th trip to East Lansing to play Michigan State on the schedule. If Oregon can solve their quarterback quandary this team has enough pieces to win the Pac-12 and make a trip to the Playoff. Though, if it doesn't, with a tough schedule, the Ducks could be looking at an uphill climb to double-digit victories.

College Football Playoff National Championship Prediction

Marcus Mariota

The inaugural season of the College Football Playoff era has been filled with upsets, exciting finishes and a fair share of controversy. Now, the 2014-2015 season will all culminate this Monday in a matchup of two teams with something left to prove. Oregon has been among the best programs in the sport the last five to ten years but has yet to claim the elusive national title (lost to Cam Newton and Auburn in 2011). On the other side, Ohio State will try to prove the Big Ten is still a conference to be reckoned with and that they truly did deserve a Playoff berth, if beating Alabama did not already prove it to the entire nation.

Oregon, as usual, will bring their high-flying offense to the table, and one that has speed all over the place. The return of stud sophomore back Thomas Tyner now means the Ducks have three legitimately fantastic backs, including Tyner, true freshman Royce Freeman and the veteran of the trio, Byron Marshall. The offensive line, which struggled with injuries throughout the year is now at their healthiest, and it will pave a way for the Ducks' backs. Hroniss Grasu, a steady veteran at center, is finally healthy and Oregon will lean on the senior for leadership and his calming demeanor on this huge stage. At quarterback, Marcus Mariota has been the perfect example of why staying another year in college can be a very good thing. Despite first round projections, Mariota had unfinished business and decided to stay in Eugene another year. He has responded with 3,783 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and a Heisman trophy, and will hope to add a national title to his resume. Mariota's success has been completely different from other recent quarterbacks who have stayed in school an extra season. Matt Barkley at USC, Jake Locker at Washington and Tajh Boyd at Clemson all struggled in their senior seasons and fell down draft boards significantly (Boyd didn't even get drafted). While those quarterbacks struggled, Mariota has seemingly improved in his redshirt junior season. The native Hawaiian has showcased an amazing deep ball, a much better feel for the game and the ability to make big plays in crunch time, something he struggled with his first two years for the Ducks. Having the Heisman winner and a multitude of options at back will certainly fuel Oregon's offense, but they are without a couple key components at receiver. Electric playmaker Devon Allen, who is also a track star at Oregon, is out for the game after injuring his knee in the first play of the Rose Bowl against Florida State. Then, Darren Carrington, who ripped apart that Seminoles' defense in the Rose Bowl, was suspended for the title game. Add to that the longtime absence of explosive Bralon Addison, who tore his ACL during the spring (there was hope he might be able to return for this game) and the Ducks' receiving corps has been decimated. Still, Keanon Lowe is a dangerous weapon through the air, nearly all of Oregon's dynamic backs can catch, and tight end Evan Baylis, who is filling in for another injured Duck, had a strong showing against FSU. Plus, when you have a Heisman winner at quarterback who can do damage with his legs and his arm, you don't need a ton of help from your receivers.

Ohio State has proven time and time again they can also put up points in bunches, even with a third-

Jalin Marshall

stringer at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Cardale Jones, filling in for J.T. Barrett, who filled in for Braxton Miller, has been great in two starts. Despite playing in two huge games, the Big Ten Championship Game and Sugar Bowl, Jones has not let the pressure overwhelm him and he has played extremely well. While still mistake prone, Jones is a big, powerful thrower who has the arm strength to beat defenders over the top and the accuracy to fit the ball into tight windows on short or intermediate throws. Jones is also a dangerous dual threat, and the Oregon defense will have to be disciplined and smart in containing him. At running back, the Buckeyes on sophomore Ezekiel Elliott, who has filled in wonderfully for the graduated Carlos Hyde this season. Elliott has ran for 1,402 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Elliott's speed and shiftiness helped carry him to a 85-yard touchdown against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, which propelled OSU to the victory. The Ducks will have their hands full containing home run threat Devin Smith, a senior who has had a huge second half for Ohio State this season. Smith is an absolute speedster and has nice size, allowing him to make unbelievably tough catches on deep balls. Jones will almost certainly look for the senior deep a couple times early against a Ducks' secondary that is also banged up. Along with Smith, reliable Evan Spencer will almost certainly give Oregon problems as well, along with Jalin Marshall. A redshirt freshman, Marshall might be the most versatile athlete on the field in a game full of absolute studs on both sides of the ball. The receiver can not just do damage as a weapon in the passing game, he can carry the ball, throw the ball (on the depth chart, he is Jones' backup right now) and is an absolute load to handle on special teams. While the Ohio State offensive line did not get much credit this year, it has been superb ever since a disastrous showing earlier in the year against Virginia Tech.

For years, the Oregon offense has gotten all the credit for the Ducks being a constant national title contender. It does make sense, the offense has rewritten the rules for "up-tempo" offenses and has had some incredible athletes pass through the past couple seasons. But, the change of fortunes for the Ducks this year has not been the offense getting any better, it has been all defensively. The defense isn't superb statistically, in fact it allows over 400 yards of offense per game. But, somehow it was 27th in scoring defense and causes turnovers at a dizzying rate, something Florida State knows first hand. The front seven has heard all the talk about the defense being "soft" for too long and has been absolute beastly in 2014-2015. Arik Armstead, a 6'8" monster of a defensive end leads the front seven, along with physical DeForest Buckner and Joe Walker, a major help in run support. Hybrid linebacker Tony Washington has always had the talent to be great but has had major ups and major downs in his collegiate career. A dazzling showing in the Rose Bowl that included recovering Jameis Winston's fumble for a touchdown has convinced me he has fulfilled his vast potential.  The big question for the Ducks' defense will be their secondary, which is without All-American cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who injured his knee leading up to the Rose Bowl. Though, the questions were the same against Florida State and led by Troy Hill and a number of other contributors the Ducks' pass defense shut down the Seminoles best receiver (and one of the best in the nation) Rashad Greene. The secondary once more will have to have a great day but it is worrying going up against a team like the Buckeyes, who spread the field so well. FSU doesn't have the deep threats of OSU and if the Buckeyes can hit some deep throws, they will definitely be in great position.

The Ohio State defense had some major question marks entering the year, especially when they allowed over 300 yards of rushing to Navy in the season opener. But, much like the offense improved, the defense took major steps throughout the course of the year and is strong, especially in the front seven. Defensive end Joey Bosa is among the nation's most intimidating linemen and he has had a huge 2014-2015. After recording a solid 7.5 sacks in his freshman campaign, Bosa has exploded for 14 sacks and 20 tackles for loss, which is seventh best in all of the land. Joining him up front is senior Michael Bennett, who clogs running lanes, and junior Adolphus Washington, a very nimble tackle. The loss of Noah Spence, who has been suspended all season long, seemed to hurt the Buckeyes originally, but Steve Miller has come on down the stretch. He made an absolute wonderful play in the Sugar Bowl to pick off Blake Sims and take it to the house, a key turning point in the game. Add to that Joshua Perry, a linebacker who recorded 112 tackles on the season, along with Darron Lee, who had 66 tackles and six sacks, and Ohio State will almost certainly put up a great fight against the Ducks' fantastic rush offense. The Ohio State secondary was a major question mark entering the year but it has solidified itself as a great unit, much like this defense as a whole. Doran Grant and the rest of the secondary, which includes playmakers Vonn Bell and Eli Apple, held Amari Cooper to his lowest output of the year and if they can contain Lowe and Byron Marshall of Oregon, Mariota will have a tough time getting the ball to any receiver.

This going to be the perfect Championship game for fans of the sports. After years of SEC slugfests in the BCS system, the CFB Playoff has pitted two explosive offenses against each other in a game full of storylines. While it seems obvious to pick the team with the Heisman winner and an extremely motivated defense against a team with a third-stringer at quarterback, the Buckeyes have a real chance to win Urban Meyer's third national championship, and first in Columbus. In normal circumstances, Oregon might well be the more talented team between these two. But, the Ducks are banged up in so many key areas, and the absence of Ekpre-Olomu could be a major problem if Smith continues his hot stretch. Plus, the Buckeyes amount of momentum entering this game could easily propel them to a victory. Sure, Oregon has quite a bit of momentum too, following a 39-point beat down of the defending champion, but Ohio State has been absolutely terrifying under Cardale Jones and I think they can continue it. This one is sure to be a high-scoring affair unless turnovers become a problem (but with Mariota, who has just two interceptions all season, that is doubtful) and an exciting one to the very end. I think the magic of the Buckeyes' late postseason run under Jones can continue, especially considering the injuries and suspensions throughout the Ducks' lineup.
Ohio State, 42 Oregon, 38

Spring Football '13: Oregon without Kelly

Marcus Mariota

The time finally came that all Oregon fans dread. Chip Kelly, the mastermind behind Oregon's flash offense left to become the head coach at Philadelphia. Oregon did hire offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich as head coach quickly after Kelly left so it doesn't appear that things should be too different this season. But, is Oregon still a perennial title threat or will the loss of their beloved head coach hurt them this season?

Oregon Ducks

The Ducks still have the talent to be a National Title contender with who they have back. Helfrich has his starting quarterback returning in redshirt sophomore Marcus Mariota who proved to be efficient though sometimes mistake prone in his first year as starter. And, the explosive and dangerous De'Anthony Thomas is back. He can score every time he touches the ball and is the perfect playmaker for the Ducks' offense. Thomas will get the bulk of the carries now that senior stud Kenjon Barner graduated. Freshman Thomas Tyner, the top prospect of Oregon's 2013 class will also keep this Ducks' offense running and running. But, if Oregon wants to run many plays in just a minute they need protection for Mariota. This is where the loss of guards Nick Cody and Ryan Clanton may end up costing the Ducks. Although there is still enough speed to score 50 a game and rack up 323 yards per game on the ground last year (3rd in the nation). What happens if teams blitz, or force Mariota to throw, where he has potential, but isn't a proven threat? Junior Colt Lyerla is a very speedy tight end and can stretch the field with his fantastic hands. Although many may be quick to simply point out the talent in the backfield Oregon has just as much talent in their receiving core. Seniors Josh Huff and Daryle Hawkins can both stretch the field with speed and great hands. This will keep teams guessing which is what this fast-paced, electric, up-tempo attack is all about. Chip Kelly's smarts still stay in the form of his disciple Helfrich meaning things shouldn't be drastically different. So don't worry Oregon fans, your team should still be a BCS bowl team. But, even with all his success Kelly never managed to win a championship while in Eugene. Helfrich's goal isn't too win, it is to dominate, and wear teams down with their offense until the big games, hit like the Pac-12 championship and BCS bowl games.

To see a full preview of Oregon's 2013 season, view my College Football Preview 2013-2014 coming out this spring.

Midwest Region Analysis

Peyton Siva

The Louisville Cardinals are on a roll. The squad won the Big East for the second straight year, then gained a number one overall seed. Their hot streak should not stop there. They will the play the winner of Colorado State and Missouri. Louisville already handled Mizzou earlier in the year meaning the team they should fear the most would be the Rams who present five seniors.

How did Oregon, a 26-8 team that won the Pac-12 tournament reach a 12 seed? They will get the Cowboys of Oklahoma State led by super freshman Marcus Smart. If they get big contributions from big men Arsalan Kazemi and Tony Woods they should use their size to beat OSU.

Oregon Ducks

Assuming Duke beats Albany in the second round they should be very worried about their next matchup.They will either get the Creighton Bluejays, the king of the Missouri Valley or Cincinnati who looks like they are climbing out of a slump. The importance of Ryan Kelly should be shown in this game. Creighton's star Doug McDermott can stretch the floor, dominating in the low post then using his arsenal of skills to hit shots on the perimeter. Kelly is very mobile, as he can easily guard McDermott nobody where he is. They will also need Kelly to handle the Bearcats' undersized forwards.

Many might look at St. Louis and right them off. But, if the Billikens can get past an interesting New Mexico State team in the second round they can easily hit the Sweet 16 and might even have a chance at pulling an upset over Louisville. They went 13-3 in a pretty tough Atlantic 10 thanks to great play from junior Dwayne Evans who led them in points and rebounds per game. They also have a load of ball handlers at should help them against pressure defenders.

This isn't the best Michigan State team we've seen the past couple of years but they should still be a tough out. Few teams can match colossal Derrick Nix in the paint and they have fantastic guard play from Keith Appling and Gary Harris, both good shooters. They should roll past Valpo and eventually into the Sweet 16 which I believe they will meet Duke. It should be a great game and we could see the Spartans in the Elite Eight.

My Pick: Louisville over Duke