Oregon Ducks - 2021 NCAA Football Season Preview & Win Total Predictions

The defending Pac-12 Conference Champion Oregon Ducks enter the 2021 season with hopes of challenging for a College Football Playoff spot. Oregon finished just inside the top 50 in total offense (413 ypg) and scored 31.3 points per contest. Graduate transfer QB Anthony Brown is expected to start after Tyler Shough transferred to Texas Tech. If Brown is ineffective, look for the Ducks to turn to five-star freshman QB Ty Thompson.

Oregon is extremely talented on the offensive line and will lean heavily on junior RB C.J. Verdell, who has rushed for over 2,500 yards in his career. Wide receivers Johnny Johnson III and Jaylon Redd will be the top options in the passing game. 

For Oregon to take things to the next level, they will have to improve on a defense that allowed 406 yards and 28 points per game in 2020. The Ducks return All-America DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has led the Ducks in sacks and tackles for loss in consecutive seasons. LB Noah Sewell (45 tackles) headlines a position group that is the best in the conference.

Sophomore CB Mykael Wright led the conference in pass breakups and was the highest rated corner against the run. Safety Verone McKinley finished third on the Ducks last season with 41 tackles.