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Realistic expectations for Oregon football in 2024

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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It's hard to believe that the 2024 Oregon football season is basically upon us.

We are officially in game week for the first time this year and the Ducks are the No. 3 team in the country with some national title aspirations.

Some believe this team can actually win it all (looking at you, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard), while others aren't sure if they'll be able to overcome Ohio State in the Big Ten. This team has the talent of a national title contender as well as the coaching, but there are so many other factors at play which could cause Oregon to fall short of expectations -- such as a gauntlet of a schedule.

Oregon opens the season with Idaho on Saturday evening before really kicking off that tough schedule with Texas Tech and Boise State rounding out conference play.

The Ducks will get Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Washington in Big Ten action which isn't the hardest stretch, but getting the Wolverines and Badgers on the road will be tough.

So with all that being said, what are the realistic expectations for this year's Ducks?

Diehard Duck fans will tell you that they expect a national title and an undefeated season. Is that realistic? Actually, this year it would be, but it's probably not the most realistic prediction.

Oregon will have an elite defense and a reloaded offense so I don't see them taking a step back from last year's 12-2 finish. I see the Ducks playing for a Big Ten title and earning a spot in the playoff. This team has national semifinal, at worst, potential.

Looking at the schedule, I believe Oregon starts the year 5-0 before hosting Ohio State in what should be a huge top-five battle on Oct. 12. I actually see the Ducks winning that game even though the Buckeyes are loaded. They'll then improve to 8-0 before going to Michigan for a huge road battle. I don't think the Wolverines are playoff good this year, but I could see them pulling off the upset in Ann Arbor.

So at 8-1, Oregon will finish the season 3-0 with wins over Maryland, at Wisconsin, and by getting some much-needed revenge over Washington.

Realistically, this is an 11-1 regular-season team which will earn a trip to the Big Ten title game for a rematch with Ohio State. A win or loss should still get this team into the playoff at 11-2. So for my realistic pre-playoff expectations, I think the Ducks go 11-2 and finish as Big Ten runner-ups.

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