Setting the identity and two other must-sees from Oregon Ducks in season opener

It's here, guys. It's really here. Oregon Ducks football is really, finally, back. For real.

The Ducks kick off their first season in the Big Ten Conference on Saturday, hosting the University of Idaho Vandals. It will be the first time that we see a lot of new faces on the field, including transfers quarterback Dillon Gabriel and wide receiver Evan Stewart , as well as the return of some familiar friends, like defensive end Jordan Burch and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa.

It will be a wonderful occasion worth smiling about, but every football team deserves full respect. No game should be taken for granted, and Ducks fans can rest assured that that will be the messaging from head coach Dan Lanning to his guys in preparation for this game. So, what exactly do we want to see from the Ducks on Saturday?

1. Establish an identity

I want to know what this football team is all about as we head into the season. Is this going to be a downfield aerial attack? Will the offense have a lot of lateral movement and quick passes? Will we lean heavily on the run game? On defense, is this unit going to play with fire and grit and hit hard, or will it be more of a passive unit that plays a bend-but-don't-break style?

Attitude is everything. With it being the first game of the season and in front of the home Autzen crowd, I expect the Ducks to come out with passion and purpose. What I want to see, though, is the identity that they carry and communicate to their opponents and to the rest of the college football world, including their new conference. Announce your presence with authority.

2. A clean center-quarterback exchange

Oregon has a new battery on offense with Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu taking over as the starting center heading into the season, paired with the previously mentioned Gabriel. Anytime there's a new center to quarterback relationship, it's important to keep an eye on the exchange.

As of now, Matthew Bedford, who seemed slated to start as the right guard, is very much in doubt to suit up on Saturday. If he can't go, it seems as though Laloulu might kick to guard, with Charlie Pickard slotting in at center. Dan Lanning told the media "we'll see on Saturday" when asked about Bedford's availability.

The center/quarterback exchange is not quite as critical in college as it is in the NFL, with the college game relying more on shotgun than taking snaps under center, but their communication and understanding of defensive stunts, and getting that information communicated to the rest of the line, will be important to see early.

3. The rotation of pass rushers

The Ducks have a stable of pass rushers they can deploy . Burch is the locked in starter, but who gets looks on the opposite side? Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, and Elijah Rushings all figure to factor in, but exactly in what situations and for how many snaps still remains to be seen.

This unit has a world of potential, but they need that potential to be realized. Burch, Uiagalelei, and Tuioti combined for only 7.0 sacks last season. This year, that group needs to crank up the heat on opposing quarterbacks.

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Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on X @JonHelmkamp , as well as follow our main page @AtoZSportsNFL for all the latest news.