2018 RECORD: 12– 1
Senior LB Troy Dye will be crucial to Oregon’s
success this season. When he records his 121st
tackle in 2019, the 6' 4", 225-pound veteran will
become the Ducks’ career leader. And this year Dye will have to do more than
just take down ballcarriers. Oregon has a new defensive coordinator in Andy
Avalos, who arrives from Boise State. He brings a slightly different scheme to
Eugene, one that places heavy emphasis on the linebacker position. Dye will
be counted on to help ease that transition. Luckily for the Ducks, the returning
starters include sophomore safety Jevon Holland, whose five interceptions
last season were tied for second in the nation among freshmen.
If the defense struggles, the offense should be able to pick up the slack.
As a junior, QB Justin Herbert threw for 3,151 yards and 29 TDs with just
eight interceptions. He’s a potential top overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He
has explosive weapons to help him out, including sophomore running back
CJ Verdell, who was the only player at a Power 5 conference school to have
1,000 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving. Herbert can also look for junior
wideout Jaylon Redd, who had 433 yards and five TDs.
The Ducks haven’t been to a New Year’s Six bowl in five years. They’ll
have to navigate a difficult schedule (road games against conference rivals
Stanford, Washington, and USC) if they want to get back.
2018 RECORD: 10– 3
For Feleipe Franks, 2018 was a tumultuous year.
Florida’s signal-caller responded to boos from Gators
fans last season by shushing the crowd with a finger over his mouth after
scoring against South Carolina, a game Florida entered on a two-game losing
streak. The treatment from his home fans caused Franks to play, in the words
of coach Dan Mullen, “a little angry.” It worked out well. The 6' 6" Florida native
finished the year with 2,457 yards passing, 24 TDs, and six interceptions. He
also rushed for 350 yards and seven scores. He led the Gators to 10 wins a
year after they went 4–7. (Following the season Franks was selected in the
31st round of the MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox. But to the delight of
Mullen, he’s sticking with football.)
Franks likes to spread the ball around. No Gators receiver had more than
35 catches, but four had at least 25—and all four are back. The ground game will
rely in large part on senior RB Lamical Perine, who averaged 6.2 yards per carry
(up from 4.1). Perine continues to evolve as a pass catcher, too, and he provides
a stable outlet for Franks. Dameon Pierce averaged 6.1 yards per carry as a
freshman, so the Gators will have a fearsome combo on the ground.
With those kind of options at his disposal, Franks could lead the Gators to a
serious challenge of Alabama’s dominance in the SEC East. And you can bet if
that happens, he’ll hear plenty of cheers along the way.QB
FELEIPE
FRANKS
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