Oregon football: 5 reasons Ducks will win Pac-12 in 2019

Oregon football hasn’t won the Pac-12 since 2014 but with Justin Herbert returning, among other reasons, the Ducks are poised to end that streak.

Ever since Marcus Mariota left Oregon for the NFL, the program hasn’t been the same. The Ducks haven’t been crowned champions since Mariota’s Heisman-winning season in 2014 and really haven’t been that close. However, with a loaded recruiting class and the return of Justin Herbert, there is optimism that the streak will end. Here are five reasons Oregon football will win the Pac-12 in 2019.

5. Juwan Johnson bolsters the wide receiver unit

A relatively under the radar transfer from Penn State, Juwan Johnson showed a lot of promise in his sophomore season with the Nittany Lions. The wide receiver caught 54 passes for 701 yards but wasn’t effective at getting into the end zone with only one score in 14 games.

Johnson saw fit to transfer to Oregon for the 2019 season, and now the redshirt senior should be the number one target for Justin Herbert.

It’s a little odd that a wide receiver standing at 6-foot-4 only has two touchdowns in three seasons, but Johnson should figure that out and replace the loss of Dillon Mitchell, a 1,000-yard receiver for the Ducks last season.

4. An abundance of freshman talent

Mainly on the defensive side, Oregon got an influx of talent from a loaded recruiting class in 2019. Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux is the player that most stands out as one who could make an immediate impact and be special. A five-star recruit ranked as the No. 2 player in the class of 2019, expectations are high for the edge rusher in a conference that needs pass rushers.

He isn’t the only stud that should make an impact in 2019. Mase Funa, recruited as a linebacker that can flex to defensive end if need be as well as Keyon Ware-Hudson should be standouts if not this season, in the seasons to come as well.

All of this freshman talent on defense should at the very least, provide the Ducks with the ability to sub in some fresh legs on defense and not lose much production.

3. The veteran leadership of Troy Dye

Troy Dye will return to the Ducks in 2019 as an experienced linebacker who can get done all over the field. Leading the team in tackles last season with a whopping 109 and instead of opting to the NFL, Dye returned to the Ducks for his senior season.

Dye should do well in the middle and bolster a defense that was average at stopping the run last season, coming in at No. 47 in opponent rushing yards. With fellow senior La’Mar Winston back as well at linebacker, it should be a fearsome duo that is tough to slow down in 2019.

2. The best offensive line in the Pac-12, maybe in the nation

All five starters return to the Ducks to give them arguably the top offensive line in the nation, and most certainly, the top unit in the Pac-12. The group should help protect Heisman hopeful Justin Herbert and keep him healthy. Second-Team All-Pac-12 left guard Shane Lemieux will be the leader of the veteran group along with fellow seniors center Jake Hanson and guard Calvin Throckmorton. It’s the best offensive line that Oregon has seen since their last Pac-12 championship.

1. Potential No. 1 NFL Draft pick Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert was the biggest surprise of draft-eligible players to return to school after he could have been a top-six pick. His return to Euguene is why many are high on Oregon this year and he’s set up to have the best year of his career.

Herbert broke out in his first full season as the Ducks starting quarterback throwing for 3,151 yards and 29 touchdowns. In a season where the Ducks improved from a 7-6 record in 2017 to 9-4 record last season, there is a good chance Herbert can approach the 4,000-yard mark and get that win total into double digits.

There should be no reason for Herbert not to improve on an already impressive season last year with what should be a fantastic offensive line and weapons to work with downfield. Penn State transfer Juwan Johnson should give Herbert a big target to throw to and Jaylon Redd should add some quick speed as there always is in Eugene.

If Herbert can stay healthy all year, he could be the one hoisting the Pac-12 trophy at season’s end.