Leadership University Of Oregon

Canzano: Pieces are falling into place perfectly for Oregon Ducks

The football players at the University of Oregon talk about things such as "holding the rope." You know, for each other.

Said Ducks offensive lineman Carson York: "I couldn't honestly say two years ago that everybody on this team I'd trust to hold the rope for me if I were dangling off a cliff and needed one guy to pull me back up."

Now?

"It's sort of a special experience or feeling to tell yourself that anybody holding your rope, you'd trust them," he said.

It's my job to look closely at a football team. To talk with the players and coaches. To listen. To observe. And most times, you can see an obvious deficiency on offense, or defense, or in coaching. In the last 16 years, I've covered Notre Dame as a beat reporter, among others. Also, I've covered the Big 10 Conference, the Western Athletic Conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Pac-10 and I've worked eight Bowl Championship Series national title games.

I believe this year's UO football team could lick any team I've ever been around.

It's why I'm picking Oregon to go 12-0 this season and play again for the national championship. Until a few days ago, I had the Ducks 11-1, but after the developing drama at LSU involving quarterback Jordan Jefferson and three teammates, I can't conceivably pick the Tigers to win Sept. 3.

Go on. Say it. The Ducks have turned this columnist into a homer.

Oregon has a returning Heisman Trophy candidate in LaMichael James . Also, a quarterback in Darron Thomas whose movements on the field were nearly flawless last season. There also are big-time playmakers on defense and special teams, and coach Chip Kelly may have the most gifted offensive mind in the country.

You could nit-pick the offensive line, which will start a couple of young guys. But right beside the inexperienced players -- holding the rope -- are York (22 starts) and Mark Asper (24 starts).

I'm at Holden Leadership Center (EMU Suite 17, 1228 University of Oregon, Eugene)

students discussing values and what's important to them. Great energy here at the University of Oregon right now! #leadership

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