Oregon has won 16 straight home openers, dating back to a debacle against Indiana in 2004. In that one the Ducks committed 7 turnovers and lost 30-24 despite allowing just 197 yards on defense.
This year they open versus Fresno State on September 4th, a week before their showdown with Ohio State in Columbus.
The Bulldogs were 3-3 last season. Quarterback Jake Haener, a transfer from Washington, threw 14 touchdowns with 5 interceptions in 2020, completing 64.7% of his passes for 2021 yards.
FSU will come to Autzen with an edge in game experience--they open a week earlier with a home date against UConn.
At their spring game on May 5th Haener threw three touchdown passes as the offense cranked out 11 TDs in a 90-minute scrimmage. Freshman running back Malik Sherrod scored three of the touchdowns, hauling in a 20-yard pass from Haener and bolting for 62 yards on his first carry of the day.
The website Pro Football Focus has named its top returning players in the country by position group. A big challenge for Oregon centers Jackson Powers-Johnson and Alex Forsyth will be Ohio State's Haskell Garrett, 6-2, 299, rated the country's best nose tackle
Kayvon Thibodeaux gets a nod as the nation's second-best edge rusher behind Oklahoma's Nik Bonitto, while the Buckeyes get recognition for having two of the most dangerous returning wide receivers in the NCAA, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
October 30 opponent Colorado has been the PAC-12's most active team in the transfer portal. Karl Dorrell has been a regular Doctor Who, landing a bevy of once-touted players and intriguing retreads:
The Buffs have had some defections as well, notably 5-star defensive tackle Antonio Alfano, who left for Alabama.
There's always a risk with transfers, a challenge in getting them to mesh with a new team and have a net positive impact on the culture.
Washington returns all five starters on the offensive line, a group that combined last year to allow 0.25 sacks per game (one total) also finished first in the Pac-12 and second in the nation.
The Huskies got a big boost when senior Jesuit (Portland, Oregon) product Jaxson Kirkland elected to return for his senior season, passing up a chance at the NFL draft.
One of the most daunting challenges on the Oregon schedule is their November 20 road game to Utah, always a tough, physical, disciplined, well-coached opponent, particularly at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Utes feel very confident in Baylor transfer quarterback Charlie Brewer, who shined in spring scrimmages.
Brewer left Baylor as the #2 quarterback in school history.
In 44 career games with the Bears, Brewer threw for 9,700 yards and 65 touchdowns. He posted back-to-back 3,000-yard passing seasons in 2018 and 2019. Brewer posted 10 300-yard passing games and a pair of 400-yard games during his time in Waco, Texas.
This year they open versus Fresno State on September 4th, a week before their showdown with Ohio State in Columbus.
The Bulldogs were 3-3 last season. Quarterback Jake Haener, a transfer from Washington, threw 14 touchdowns with 5 interceptions in 2020, completing 64.7% of his passes for 2021 yards.
FSU will come to Autzen with an edge in game experience--they open a week earlier with a home date against UConn.
At their spring game on May 5th Haener threw three touchdown passes as the offense cranked out 11 TDs in a 90-minute scrimmage. Freshman running back Malik Sherrod scored three of the touchdowns, hauling in a 20-yard pass from Haener and bolting for 62 yards on his first carry of the day.
The website Pro Football Focus has named its top returning players in the country by position group. A big challenge for Oregon centers Jackson Powers-Johnson and Alex Forsyth will be Ohio State's Haskell Garrett, 6-2, 299, rated the country's best nose tackle
College Football: Ranking the top 10 returning players at each position
The 2021 college football season kicks off in just over 100 days, and we at PFF are here to get you ready for it. We'll start by ranking the top 10 returning players at each position and naming one sleeper who could make some noise this season.
www.pff.com
Kayvon Thibodeaux gets a nod as the nation's second-best edge rusher behind Oklahoma's Nik Bonitto, while the Buckeyes get recognition for having two of the most dangerous returning wide receivers in the NCAA, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
October 30 opponent Colorado has been the PAC-12's most active team in the transfer portal. Karl Dorrell has been a regular Doctor Who, landing a bevy of once-touted players and intriguing retreads:
The Buffs have had some defections as well, notably 5-star defensive tackle Antonio Alfano, who left for Alabama.
There's always a risk with transfers, a challenge in getting them to mesh with a new team and have a net positive impact on the culture.
Washington returns all five starters on the offensive line, a group that combined last year to allow 0.25 sacks per game (one total) also finished first in the Pac-12 and second in the nation.
The Huskies got a big boost when senior Jesuit (Portland, Oregon) product Jaxson Kirkland elected to return for his senior season, passing up a chance at the NFL draft.
One of the most daunting challenges on the Oregon schedule is their November 20 road game to Utah, always a tough, physical, disciplined, well-coached opponent, particularly at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Utes feel very confident in Baylor transfer quarterback Charlie Brewer, who shined in spring scrimmages.
Brewer left Baylor as the #2 quarterback in school history.
In 44 career games with the Bears, Brewer threw for 9,700 yards and 65 touchdowns. He posted back-to-back 3,000-yard passing seasons in 2018 and 2019. Brewer posted 10 300-yard passing games and a pair of 400-yard games during his time in Waco, Texas.
Last edited:
