Oregon Ducks: Will the offense sky rocket when the playoffs begin?

The Oregon Ducks are currently ranked as the number one team in the nation, but have we seen their full potential yet? The defense has been firing on all cylinders, but the offense hasn’t been thriving the way it should be. Part of this could be due to star receiver Tez Johnson out with an injury, but still, the offense hasn’t looked like the best in the country. Once the playoffs begin, and we see a fully healthy Ducks offense, will they show why they need to be feared throughout college football? Only time will tell.

Best receiver duo in the country?

The Ducks have some elite weapons on both sides of the ball, but do they have the best receiver duo in the nation? It is quite possible with Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson. Both Johnson and Stewart have incredible speed, athleticism, and catch radius’. Opposing defenses can attempt to double one of them and take them out of the gameplan, but that still leaves one with a favorable matchup. As soon as a defense thinks they have one locked down, the other goes off for a fifty yard touchdown. Not to mention they have a very talented quarterback in Dillon Gabriel who can pretty much put the ball anywhere. If the Ducks are going to make a deep playoff run this year, and hope to have a shot at the championship, they will need a lot out of their elite receiver duo.

An underrated tight end

Terrance Ferguson has all the things you want in a tight end. He has great size at six-foot-five inches, and great athleticism to go with it. He is a big time target that is very good with the ball in his hands. In an offense that already has two of the best receivers in college football, Ferguson can almost always count on favorable matchups against opposing defenses. With an emergence of Ferguson in the playoffs, Oregon may be unstoppable down the stretch. Not to mention Ferguson could skyrocket his Draft stock if he wishes to head to the NFL. A dependable tight end is one of the most underrated parts of an offense, and Ferguson could show to be a key piece in unlocking the full potential of the Ducks passing attack.

A capable quarterback that can make some elite throws

Dillon Gabriel has been in the Heisman race so far this season, and has shown some incredible arm talent. He has made quite a few big time throws and has led the Oregon offense well each week. Gabriel has shown he can lead a team to big time wins, and did just that against Ohio State a few weeks ago. If Gabriel can continue to lead the offense, and get the ball to his playmakers, the Ducks should have no problem making a deep playoff run.

If the offense skyrockets, will the defense continue to play at an elite level?

The Oregon defense has been performing well all year, and there is no reason to believe they will fall flat in big games. One thing fans can count on, is head coach, Dan Lanning having his guys fired up and ready to go. He is one of the best motivators in college football, and with a elite playmakers all over the defensive side of the ball, Lanning should have no worries with his defense. If the offense starts to match the energy and perform well, we may see an already hungry defense turn into one of the best we have seen in a long time.