Oregon ended 2019 with Pac-12 and Rose Bowl titles and should enter the 2020 season as the favorite to win the conference.
The Ducks have a lot to replace on offense, starting with quarterback Justin Herbert and five offensive linemen, but return a back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher in CJ Verdell and seemingly have an heir apparent at QB in Tyler Shough.
Oregon's defense was outstanding most of 2019 under Andy Avalos and while its loses Troy Dye and several defensive linemen, the Ducks return their entire secondary, Isaac Slade-Matautia and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Here's an early analysis at how Oregon's 2020 opponents look heading into the offseason.
AP/Sam Hodde
North Dakota State: Sept. 5, Autzen Stadium
2019 record: (16-0, FCS National Champions)
Coach: Matt Entz, second year at NDSU (16-0)
Most important returning players: QB Trey Lance, RB Adam Cofield, WR Christian Watson, LB Jackson Hankey, S Michael Tutsie
Most critical departures: RB Ty Brooks, DE Derreck Tuszka, S James Hendricks
Early opponent analysis: Whoever assembled Oregon's nonconference slate for 2020 didn't do the Ducks any favors by scheduling FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, let alone in a year where Ohio State is a week later.
The Bison are the reigning national champs and return major weapons, including a QB in Trey Lance, who threw for 28 touchdowns and no interceptions last season. NDSU returns key skill players on offense and its top three tacklers, including safety Michael Tutsie, who had a team-high seven interceptions.
The Bison lose their top tailback and pass rusher but by no means does that make them less of a threat.
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AP/Rick Scuteri
Ohio State: Sept. 12, Autzen Stadium
2019 record: (13-1, 9-0 Big Ten)
Coach: Ryan Day, second year at Ohio State (13-1)
Most important returning players: QB Justin Fields, RB Master Teague III, WR Chris Olave, CB Shaun Wade
Most critical departures: RB J.K. Dobbins, WR K.J Hill, WR Binjimen Victor, WR Austin Mack, DE Chase Young, LB Malik Harrison, CB Jeff Okudah, DB Jordan Fuller
Early opponent analysis: What Ohio State loses this offseason will draw the most attention, especially Chase Young. But the Buckeyes return one of the best quarterbacks in college football in Justin Fields, their leading receiver Chris Olave, and a force at running back in Master Teague III.
Behind an offensive line that might be the best returning unit in the country entering next season, Ohio State's offense is still loaded even without J.K. Dobbins and several major receiving threats.
Ohio State will have to identify new pass rushers, as several of its most productive edge players are moving on, and the secondary loses major pillars.
If there were a year or Oregon to catch Ohio State in the right timing of reloading its roster, this might be as good as the Ducks could ask for. However, with a new starting quarterback behind four new starting offensive linemen, Oregon has its own questions to answer.
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AP/Eugene Tanner
Hawaii: Sept. 19, Autzen Stadium
2019 record: (10-5, 5-4 Mountain West)
Coach: Todd Graham, first year at Hawaii (95-61 overall)
Most important returning players: RB Miles Reed, DB Khoury Bethley, LB Darius Muasau
Most critical departures: QB Cole McDonald, WR JoJo Ward, WR Cedric Byrd II, LB Solomon Matautia
Early opponent analysis: After two legit tests to open the season, Oregon ends its three-game homestand with a reloading Hawaii team under a new head coach.
The Warriors are not going to be as potent offensively without Cole McDonald or two of their top receiving threats.
Todd Graham inherits some pieces to work with on defense, but that's a matchup Oregon should still have a significant advantage.
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AP/Chris Pietsch
Colorado: Sept. 26, Folsom Field
2019 record: (5-7, 3-6 Pac-12)
Coach: Mel Tucker, second year at Colorado (5-7)
Most important returning players: RB Alex Fonenot, WR K.D. Nixon, DL Mustafa Johnson, LB Nate Landman
Most critical departures: QB Steven Montez, WR Laviska Shenault Jr., WR Tony Brown, DB Mikial Onu
Early opponent analysis: Colorado overperformed expectations in its first year under Mel Tucker. If not for a rash of injuries and departures on defense and receiver and a collapse against USC, the Buffaloes probably go .500 and reach a bowl game. Tucker might've won conference coach of the year had that happened.
CU has to replace a stable, though not elite quarterback in Steven Montez, and loses one of the best receivers in the country in Laviska Shenault Jr. Running back Alex Fontenot might be in line for a breakout season and the defense returns major pieces in Mustafa Johnson and Nate Landman.
The best thing for Oregon heading into a tougher place to play is the Buffaloes will be coming off a road trip to Texas A&M.
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AP/Tony Avelar
Washington: Oct. 3, Autzen Stadium
2019 record: (8-5, 4-5 Pac-12)
Coach: Jimmy Lake, first year at Washington
Most important returning players: WR Puka Nacua, RB Richard Newton, TE Cade Otton, DL Levi Onwuzurike, CB Elijah Molden, LB Ryan Bowman, LB Joe Tryon
Most critical departures: QB Jacob Eason, RB Salvon Ahmed, WR Aaron Fuller, TE Hunter Bryant, OL Trey Adams, OC Nick Harris, S Myles Bryant
Early opponent analysis: Washington benefits from a bye week before its trip to Autzen, which comes before Oregon's off week.
The Huskies will have a chance to make some determinations and early assessments, particularly on offense, after a month of play and that's significant.
But much is unknown there at the moment for UW, which has a lot of key pieces to replace. If K.J. Costello ends up at Washington, that's certainly a significant move in the Pac-12 North. If not, the Huskies could be turning to a far less experienced hand at quarterback and in need of developing receivers for them to aim for.
Jimmy Lake's defense will always be a tough matchup, but it didn't do as well last season. This game will play a huge role in determining how Lake's debut season as head coach goes.
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AP/Tony Avelar
Cal: Oct. 17, Cal Memorial Stadium
2019 record: (8-5, 4-5 Pac-12)
Coach: Justin Wilcox, fourth year at Cal (20-18)
Most important returning players: QB Chase Garbers, RB Christopher Brown Jr., WR Nikko Remigio, LB Kuony Deng, DB Camryn Bynum
Most critical departures: DL Luc Bequette, LB Evan Weaver, DB Ashtyn Davis
Early opponent analysis: Cal continues to be on an upward trajectory under Justin Wilcox and with Stanford and Washington State both trending down, the Bears could be a more challenging foe going forward.
Oregon does benefit from its bye before the trip to Berkeley and will have time to assess its offense as well as changes coming to Cal, which returns a lot of offensive skill players and can only go in one direction on the offensive line.
Cal's defense didn't play as well statistically as its talent might've merited last season, but much of that had to do with the offensive woes. Oregon struggled to find a rhythm against Cal at home last season and the road may or may not be a factor in 2020.
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AP/Ben Margot
Stanford: Oct. 24, Autzen Stadium
2019 record: (4-8, 3-6 Pac-12)
Coach: David Shaw, seventh year at Stanford (86-34)
Most important returning players: QB Davis Mills, WR Michael Wilson, WR Osiris St. Brown, OL Walker Little, CB Paulson Adebo
Most critical departures: QB K.J. Costello, RB Cameron Scarlett, TE Colby Parkinson, LB Andrew Pryts, LB Curtis Robinson, Edge Casey Toohill
Early opponent analysis: Stanford has been gutted by offseason transfers, including quarterback K.J. Costello. Injuries played a huge part in the Cardinal having a losing season, but even with Walker Little back on the offensive line and Paulson Adebo back in the secondary, it's hard to see a bounce-back year when the roster was so ravaged by attrition.
Oregon also benefits from Stanford already having played USC, Notre Dame and a home game with Washington State before this.
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AP/Rick Scuteri
Arizona: Oct. 31, Arizona Stadium
2019 record: (4-8, 2-7 Pac-12)
Coach: Kevin Sumlin, third year at Arizona (9-15 at UA, 95-58 overall)
Most important returning players: QB Grant Gunnell, WR Jamarye Joiner, LB Colin Schooler, LB Tony Fields, DB Scottie Young Jr.
Most critical departures: QB Khalil Tate, RB J.J. Taylor, DB Jace Whittaker, DB Tristan Cooper
Early opponent analysis: Arizona is amid a huge rebuild and much will be known at this point whether Kevin Sumlin and defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads have gotten things on track in 2020.
The Wildcats might have addition by subtraction at quarterback but lose their only consistent threat on offense in J.J. Taylor. Defensively, a total overhaul is needed and by this point, will be well under way.
Much will be made of Oregon's loss at UA in 2018 entering this game but few players who were a part of it will still be around. The only thing that makes this game challenging on paper at this point is the "trap" aspect as it comes before USC.
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AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez
USC: Nov. 7, Autzen Stadium
2019 record: (8-5, 7-2 Pac-12)
Coach: Clay Helton, sixth year at USC (40-22)
Most important returning players: QB Kedon Slovis, RB Vavae Malepeai, RB Stephen Carr, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR Tyler Vaughns, WR Drake London, DL Drake Jackson, DL Jay Tufele, DB Isaiah Pola-Mao, S Talanoa Hufanga
Most critical departures: WR Michael Pittman Jr., OL Austin Jackson, LB John Houston Jr.
Early opponent analysis: Clay Helton's reclamation or last hurrah could already be determined by this point. USC should be the favorite to win the Pac-12 South with all its returning talent and the addition of Todd Orlando as defensive coordinator.
Other than the season opener against Alabama and a road trip to Utah, the Trojans are likely going to be favored in their other games before this.
Strictly in terms of talent, this might be Oregon's most challenging conference game of 2020. Depending how they enter, it could also be an opening round of the Pac-12 Championship Game matchup.
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AP/Matt York
Arizona State: Nov. 13, Autzen Stadium
2019 record: (8-5, 4-5 Pac-12)
Coach: Herm Edwards, third year at Arizona State (15-11)
Most important returning players: QB Jayden Daniels, WR Frank Darby, DL Jermayne Lole, LB Darien Butler,LB Merlin Robertson
Most critical departures: RB Eno Benjamin, WR Brandon Aiyuk, WR Kyle Williams, DB Kobe WIlliams
Early opponent analysis: Other than a trip to USC, it's possible Arizona State enters this game with just one loss, particularly if Jayden Daniels has taken a big step.
Daniels was one of the best freshman quarterbacks in the country last season and he's as dynamic a threat as Oregon will face at the position behind Justin Fields.
ASU will have new coordinators and completely rebuild its running back corps from scratch this offseason, but Daniels and an offensive line that can only be improved make the Sun Devils a legitimate threat.
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AP/Young Kwak
Washington State: Nov. 21, Martin Stadium
2018 record: (6-7, 3-6 Pac-12)
Coach: Nick Rolovich, first year at Washington State (28-27)
Most important returning players: RB Max Borghi, LB Jahad Woods, DB Skyler Thomas
Most critical departures: QB Anthony Gordon, WR Brandon Arconado, WR Easop Winston Jr., WR Dezmon Patmon, DB Marcus Strong
Early opponent analysis: A first-year coach with a first-year quarterback makes Washington State very hard to predict at this point. Mike Leach didn't leave the cupboard bare by any means, but Nick Rolovich has a lot to replace and reconfigure on offense.
Defensively, Washington State can only improve after what was a disastrous 2019.
This late in the season much will be known about WSU's capability. Has Rolovich overachieved and have the Cougars battling for bowl positioning in a tough road trip for Oregon? Or is a losing season already sealed and a rebuild under way?
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Sean Meagher/Staff
Oregon State: Nov. 28, Reser Stadium
2019 record: (5-7, 4-5 Pac-12)
Coach: Jonathan Smith, third year at Oregon State (7-17)
Most important returning players: RB Jermar Jefferson, LB Hamilcar Rashed Jr., LB Omar Speights, LB Avery Roberts
Most critical departures: QB Jake Luton, RB Artavis Pierce, WR Isaiah Hodgins, TE Noah Togiai, OL Gus Lavaka
Early opponent analysis: The Beavers overachieved in 2019 and will be a trendy pick in the offseason to be a contender in the Pac-12 North.
A change at quarterback and having to replace Isaiah Hodgins won't be easy by any stretch of the imagination, but that will all be sorted out by the Civil War. But at this point in the offseason, far more is known about Oregon's defense than Oregon State's offense. Conversely, UO's offense has a lot to sort out in the offseason and OSU's defense took a big step forward last season and returns a major weapon in Hamilcar Rashed Jr.
If OSU has continued its ascent and already sealed a bowl berth, the Civil War could be truly compelling nationally for the first time in a long time.
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