2008 record: 10-3, 7-2 (2nd-tie in Pac-10)
2008 bowl: Beat Oklahoma State 42-31 in Holiday
2008 final AP/coaches' ranking: 10/9
Coach: Chip Kelly 0-0 (1st year)
Offensive coordinator: Chip Kelly (3rd year)
Defensive coordinator: Nick Aliotti (12th year)
Returning offensive starters: 4
Returning defensive starters: 5
Location: Eugene, Ore.
Stadium: Autzen Stadium (FieldTurf; 54,000 capacity)
Last league title: 2001
2009 schedule:[view]
2009 roster: [view]
2008 statistics: [view]

Offensive: The Ducks have great strength at the skill positions, beginning at quarterback, where dual-threat junior Jeremiah Masoli returns, along with junior Justin Roper, whose coming-out party at the 2007 Sun Bowl was undone by injuries last season. There’s a breakout running back in senior LeGarrette Blount (1,002 yards) and a pair of nice receivers with junior Jeff Maehl and junior Jamere Holland. The Ducks must establish some depth in the backfield, while stabilizing an offensive line that lost three starters, including center Max Unger. 

Defensive: This unit’s strength is at linebacker, where junior run-stuffer Casey Matthews returns in the middle and junior weak-side linebacker Spencer Paysinger also returns. Elsewhere? There are concerns. The defensive line lost three starters, including All-American pass rusher Nick Reed, so much responsibility falls to senior defensive end Will Tukuafu. Coaches hope junior-college transfer defensive tackle Terrance Montgomery is as good as advertised. The secondary also lost two starters, although senior cornerback Walter Thurmond, a lockdown specialist, is back.

Specialists: It’s conceivable that a pair of true freshmen — place-kicker Mike Bowlin and punter Jackson Rice — will fill the roles this season. The return game seems secure with  Thurmond returning kicks and Jamere Holland handling punts.

Coaching: Mike Bellotti ended his 14-year reign to become Oregon’s athletic director. The new man is former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, an innovator who has an all-business personality. Kelly injected some urgency into the program last spring and clearly he wants to make a good first impression.

Heisman Hopefuls: On paper, Blount could be in the conversation. He’s a scary-good touchdown machine who will get even more work this season.

Game of the year Sept. 3 at Boise State Nice lid-lifter for college football junkies, eh? Oregon simply can’t afford to stumble here, not if it has real designs on reaching a BCS bowl game. A victory could set up the Ducks nicely.

Overview: The Ducks look like the Pac-10’s second-best team. But the distance from No. 1 (USC) to No. 2 could be vast. The coaching transition, obviously, is something to watch. If it’s seamless, the priority will be getting up to speed on defense. Oregon’s offense will score plenty of points, certainly enough for another 10-win season, and an up-to-par defense could make for a special year.

Next up: No. 15 Boise State

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

Florida’s Meyer says Notre Dame not an option 6-5 not good enough for Irish, Weis says Bowl Projections: Penn State in BCS picture BCS at-large bids up for grabs in final weeks   Vote: Who should be ranked No. 1? Heisman Hopefuls: Race is tight down stretch Cincy QB Pike expected to start against Illinois Criminal charges dropped against Tennessee safety CFT: Michigan A.D. says Rodriguez will be back Special feature: Is your coach on the 'Hot Seat'? College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: