Fansided

College football rankings 2018: FanSided preseason Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass during the Las Vegas Bowl featuring the Oregon Ducks and Boise State Broncos on December 16, 2017 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass during the Las Vegas Bowl featuring the Oregon Ducks and Boise State Broncos on December 16, 2017 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

I’ll say this, I’m a big believer in the Oregon Ducks’ resurgence. Ever since Chip Kelly departed, Oregon has seemed like a program grasping for relevancy, but now that Mario Cristobal is committed, the Ducks could be in for another successful stretch.

The former recruiter of the year takes over for Willie Taggart who spent a season in Eugene with the Ducks and left for his dream job at Florida State. He left behind one of the nation’s best defensive coordinators, Jim Leavitt, and a budding star at quarterback in Justin Herbert.

Leavitt will have all the pieces he needs on defense to continue improvement inside the top-50 nationally. Oregon was once a laughing stock on this side of the ball, but improved drastically under his leadership and the Ducks are now a consistent defensive squad. They return seven starters on defense, including star linebacker and potential All-American Troy Dye.

Herbert, when healthy, can be one of the most prolific passers in college football. He finished the 2017 season with 1,983 yards and 15 touchdowns in just seven games. He led the Ducks to a 6-1 record in that stretch and if he can remain on the field, this offense will be unstoppable.

Royce Freeman is gone, but Tony Brooks-James should take over and succeed behind a relatively experienced offensive line. 10 wins isn’t out of the realm of possibility for this team.