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Oregon Football: 5 bold predictions for the 2021 season

By Connor Muldowney

Oregon inside linebacker Noah Sewell makes the the Hawaiian shaka (hang loose) gesture with his hands as he joins his team in warmups during Fall Camp with the Ducks.Eug 082021 Sewell 01
Oregon inside linebacker Noah Sewell makes the the Hawaiian shaka (hang loose) gesture with his hands as he joins his team in warmups during Fall Camp with the Ducks.Eug 082021 Sewell 01 /
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(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Sep 7, 2019; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) reacts after making a tackle on Nevada Wolf Pack punter Quinton Conaway (35) in the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Sep 7, 2019; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) reacts after making a tackle on Nevada Wolf Pack punter Quinton Conaway (35) in the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Oregon will have the best defense in the Pac-12

Last season, Oregon’s defense was slightly disappointing. With all the talent the Ducks had in the defensive backfield on up front, they finished just 62nd nationally in total yards allowed per game and 59th in scoring defense — that was good for just fifth and sixth in the Pac-12, respectively.

That wasn’t good enough to make a national title push, and that’s why the Ducks finished just 4-3 with a tough blowout loss to Iowa State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Oregon gave up 34-plus points three times which isn’t ideal for a seven-game season. But that’s going to change under new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter.

On the flip side, DeRuyter led a less talented Cal defense to the No. 48 scoring defense and 38th total defense nationally — also good for fifth and third in the Pac-12, respectively. If he can do that with far less talent at Cal, imagine what he can do with a handful of All-Pac-12 candidates and a couple of All-Americans at Oregon.

The Ducks will rise up and surpass Washington and Utah for the top overall defense in the conference this season thanks to a shake-up from DeRuyter and guys like Kayvon Thibodeaux, Mykael Wright, Noah Sewell, and Justin Flowe having All-American-type seasons.

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