Oregon Football: Ducks Prepare For Key Games To Open 2020 Season
The 2020 schedule for Oregon Football is generating plenty of buzz especially the first two home games of the season.
The Oregon Ducks open the season against two key opponents in North Dakota State and Ohio State. Both teams will come into Autzen Stadium and look to get a key win to start their respective seasons.
Several weeks ago CBS Sports picked North Dakota State to top the Ducks in the opening game. Despite a new quarterback at the helm for Oregon, there is plenty of talent on both sides of the ball.
Speaking of Quarterbacks, North Dakota State has one in Trey Lance who brings plenty of experience. He threw for over 2700 yards last year along with 1100 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns. While Justin Herbert showed off his feet in the Rose Bowl, Lance is a dual-threat that will test the Oregon Defense early in the season. The following week does not get easier with Ohio State coming to town.
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On Thursday, three Oregon Players earned Walter Camp first-team All America honors including Offensive Lineman Penei Sewell, Safety Jevon Holland, and Defensive End Kayvon Thibodeaux. Sewell has been a standout talent, even before he became a player for Oregon. The Junior is projected to be a top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and with a healthy season may find himself playing on Sundays next year. Sewell will have the challenge of protecting a new signal-caller for the Ducks.
Coming out of a brief Spring Camp. Tyler Shough looked to be the guy to follow Justin Herbert. Shough played a backup role last season and had some nice plays when he was behind center. The Ducks have just three losses with Sewell starting at left tackle.
Ohio State has been a mainstay toward the top of college football in recent years. They typically sit at the top along with Alabama and Clemson. I expect that to be the same this season. The Buckeyes finished the 2020 season 11-1 and top in the Big Ten East ahead of Penn State.
Justin Fields will lead the way for the Buckeyes and the Oregon Defense will need to be ready the first two weeks of the season with two mobile quarterbacks coming to Eugene.
While some teams around the country have already started preparing for the upcoming season, workouts ahead of Fall Camp can get underway on June 15th for Oregon Football.