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With the 2024 college football season underway, multiple teams have already started their quest toward the first-ever 12-team playoff.
This week, Oregon follows suit, taking on Idaho in its season-opener on Saturday, August 31 at Autzen Stadium.
In other words, it's time to lay down some preseason predictions before it's too late.
Today, we'll take a guess at each of the Ducks' primary contributors' stats, both offensively and defensively.
See below:
Passing
Dillon Gabriel: 4100 yards, 39 touchdowns
Dante Moore: 500 yards, 5 touchdowns
As the preseason Heisman favorite according to several online sportsbooks, quarterback Dillon Gabriel is certainly expected to put up some big-time numbers in 2024.
Heading into his sixth season of college ball, Gabriel has already thrown for at least 3100 yards and 25 touchdowns four separate times, making him one of the most proven and experienced signal callers in the country.
At Oregon, we expect Gabriel to reach career-high numbers in both passing yards and touchdowns, a la Bo Nix. With a fresh batch of explosive weapons around him and a nice change of scenery, Gabriel should wow Duck fans this fall barring any injuries.
Still, the former Sooner is currently backed up by former five-star recruit Dante Moore, who we see making his presence felt in a handful of garbage-time scenarios.
Rushing
Jordan James: 960 yards, 11 touchdowns
Noah Whittington: 810 yards, 7 touchdowns
Dillon Gabriel: 310 yards, 7 touchdowns
In 2024, Oregon brings back two proven runners of the football in Jordan James and Noah Whittington.
In 2022, Whittington went for 779 yards and five touchdowns on the ground before missing time due to injury in 2023. Meanwhile, James filled in for Whittington last season, running for 759 yards and 11 scores.
This fall, we expect the two backs to split time and record career highs in yards. As the player that's produced more recently, James gets the nod as the lead back, but Whittington isn't far behind.
With both guys healthy, we expect a true "by committee" approach in the Ducks' backfield in 2024. Also expect players like Jay Harris and Jayden Limar to see some time in short-yardage and pass-catching situations, respectively.
Receiving
Tez Johnson: 1,150 yards, 11 touchdowns
Evan Stewart: 930 yards, 10 touchdowns
Traeshon Holden: 800 yards, 7 touchdowns
Terrance Ferguson: 500 yards, 7 touchdowns
Coming off a year where Oregon was incredibly effective in the passing game, we expect similar levels of production from the Ducks' wideouts in 2024.
Despite replacing record-breaking pass-catcher Troy Franklin, Oregon's air attack should be well-saturated, as Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden return after productive breakout seasons.
Johnson should lead the way this fall as the Ducks' all-time single-season receptions leader, while Holden and tight end Terrance Ferguson also return as proven, experienced pass-catchers.
Additionally, Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart, who recorded 1,163 yards and six touchdowns in two seasons as an Aggie, figures to add another dimension to Oregon's passing game, which should be one of the nation's best this fall.
Defensive
Jeffrey Bassa: 100 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 interceptions
Jabbar Muhammad: 45 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 4 interceptions
Tysheem Johnson: 72 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 interceptions
Jordan Burch: 40 tackles, 6.5 sacks
Matayo Uiagalelei: 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks
Kobe Savage: 65 tackles, 3 interceptions
In 2024, the Ducks' defense will revolve largely around their transfer additions in the secondary.
At least five new players -- Sione Laulea, Kam Alexander, Kobe Savage, Jabbar Muhammad, and Brandon Johnson -- should see time on the field this fall, leaving a lot to the imagination of Duck fans in regards to their pass defense.
Luckily, Lanning and co. weren't just bringing in anyone in the transfer portal this offseason. While Muhammad and Savage were all-conference selections in their respective leagues, Alexander was fourth in the nation in passes defended. Meanwhile, Tysheem Johnson returns after a productive first season for the Ducks last fall.
Up front, Oregon fans will recognize more familiar faces, as leading tackler Jeffrey Bassa returns for his senior season and Matayo Uiagalelei looks to continue to develop as a pass-rusher.
Meanwhile, Jordan Burch also returns along the Ducks' front line and will likely be one of the most troublesome defensive linemen in the Big Ten.
From top-to-bottom, the Ducks' defense is stacked with talented players. So talented, in fact, that guys like Bryce Boettcher, Blake Purchase, Dontae Manning and Nikko Reed are likely to be coming off the bench at times.
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