Oregon Ducks Football: 2023 Season Preview
A New Era Begins
The Oregon Ducks football team is entering a new era in 2023 with Dan Lanning taking over as head coach. Lanning was the defensive coordinator at Georgia last season and is known for his aggressive and opportunistic style of play.
Key Departures
The Ducks lost a number of key players from last season, including quarterback Anthony Brown, running back CJ Verdell, and wide receiver Devon Williams. These players were all major contributors to Oregon's success last season and will be difficult to replace.
Key Additions
The Ducks have added a number of new players to the roster in 2023, including quarterback Bo Nix, running back Martell Pettaway, and wide receiver Troy Franklin. Nix is a transfer from Auburn and is expected to be the starting quarterback for the Ducks this season. Pettaway is a transfer from West Virginia and is expected to be a major contributor in the backfield. Franklin is a highly-touted recruit and is expected to be a key part of the Ducks' passing game.
Strengths
The Ducks have a number of strengths heading into the 2023 season, including their defense, their offensive line, and their running game. The Ducks defense is expected to be one of the best in the country this season, led by All-American linebacker Noah Sewell. The Ducks' offensive line is also expected to be a strength this season, led by All-American tackle Alex Forsyth. The Ducks' running game is expected to be led by Pettaway and Bucky Irving.
Weaknesses
The Ducks have a number of weaknesses heading into the 2023 season, including their quarterback play, their wide receiver play, and their pass rush. The Ducks' quarterback play is a major question mark this season, as Nix has never been a full-time starter and is coming off a disappointing season at Auburn. The Ducks' wide receiver play is also a question mark, as they lost their top three receivers from last season. The Ducks' pass rush is also a concern, as they lost their top two pass rushers from last season.
Schedule
The Ducks have a challenging schedule in 2023, as they play four teams that are ranked in the top 25 of the preseason AP Poll. The Ducks open the season at home against Georgia on September 3rd. They also play road games at Ohio State, Washington, and Utah this season. The Ducks' home schedule includes games against BYU, UCLA, and Colorado.
Expectations
The Ducks are expected to be a contender in the Pac-12 this season, but they are not considered to be one of the favorites. The Ducks are ranked 11th in the preseason AP Poll and are projected to finish third in the Pac-12 North Division. The Ducks have a chance to exceed expectations this season if they can stay healthy and get good quarterback play from Nix.
