Oregon has all the elements of a national championship contender except one. They have elite receivers, a big-play tight end, one of the best quarterbacks in the game, a backup with 22 career college starts.
The Ducks return the best, most experienced defensive line unit in college football, a savvy inside linebacker in Jerry Mixon who is strong against the run and the pass, a tall, athletic secondary anchored by Minnesota transfer Koi Perich.
The have one major weakness, the lack of an experienced left tackle. It's particularly crucial for the Ducks because both of their quarterbacks are pocket passers. Moore can run a little but Dylan Raiola has -152 career rushing yards. Neither is an escape artist like Fernando Mendoza, whose timely scrambles and keepers clinched a national championship for the Hoosiers.
Moore needs a great left tackle to do what he does best
Mendoza beat the Ducks twice, the second time a thrashing as IU's pressure overwhelmed Moore, his worst day as the Oregon starter. As a team that relies on the starting quarterback's arm and downfield accuracy, they've got to protect him, be in a position to feature what he does best.
Moore isn't going to develop the mobility, escape ability and resourcefulness of Bo Nix, and neither is Raiola. To win at the highest level with a pocket passer, a team needs a strong running game to complement him and a hoss at left tackle.
Seaton's 91.4 pass protection grade is evidence that he's the experienced, consistent, athletic left tackle this offense needs to become lethal. Without him, they're scrambling to turn one of four promising youngsters with one career college start among them into the left tackle of the future. The rest of this team is built to win now.
In the playoffs the Ducks will encounter three teams with great edge rushers. It's a hallmark of contenders. Oregon has two of their own in Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti. They're not getting past Miami, Georgia, Ohio State or Indiana again without a blocker on the blindside who can help their NFL talent at QB stay in rhythm.
The Seaton recruiting chase has turned into a bidding war, and there's still a chance they might miss on him. If that happens, A'lique Terry has to pour into Fox Crader, Ziyare Addison, Trent Ferguson, Immanuel Iheanacho and Tommy Tofi and find Oregon's next great left tackle. This offense won't go without one.