Oregon has had a lot of success in their first three weeks of non-conference play, scoring more than 35 points in each of the three games they have played so far. Both sides of the ball have seen a lot of positive production, with standouts such as Bo Nix and Khyree Jackson showing playoff-level potential.

Quarterback and Heisman trophy candidate Nix has had a phenomenal start to the season and hasn’t missed a beat. The fifth-year senior has thrown for 893 yards and eight touchdowns, completing almost 78% of his passes without an interception. This is a better showing than his first three games with the Ducks last year, so a lot more will be expected of Nix as Oregon moves into their Pac-12 portion of the schedule.

The receiving core has been led by veterans Troy Franklin and Gary Bryant Jr., who have both had explosive, 100-yard games where they have shown the talent to compete with some of the nation’s best route runners. Along with the two standouts, the Ducks have some real athleticism and speed in newer guys like Traeshon Holden and Tez Johnson, rounding out a very balanced receiving core. This group is definitely among the finest in the country, and along with an elite quarterback throwing them the ball, they are destined for even bigger things during the rest of the season.

One of the offense’s most reliable groups is the linemen. Oregon has a great group of experienced and athletic linemen that have built on last year’s high standard by only allowing one sack through the first three games. A lot of what worked with the lineman was putting them in position to make quick plays and catch the defense on their heels. 

Quick throws and fast developing runs have been very successful, playing to the strengths of the Ducks’ linemen. These plays have allowed them to provide Nix with the perfect amount of time and space in the pocket while also creating perfect holes for guys like Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington to attack.

The run game had both ups and downs over the course of the preseason, but has been majorly successful in setting up a lot of the rest of the offense. While sometimes keeping to the ground works negatively, it often will set up a deep throw or a long run to the outside because of the defense expecting a run in all different scenarios.

One thing that the offense could incorporate for Pac-12 play is to use Nix’s speed and athleticism in more designed runs. While the Run-pass option offense allows him to make the decision to pull the ball and run, the hole to run through is often too small by the time that decision is made. Running-designed plays for Nix will keep the defense on their heels even more while also utilizing a tremendous asset that has gone slightly under the radar in non-conference play.

Every player on this defense has continued to improve each week this season. Stars like Brandon Dorlus and Jeffrey Bassa have continued right where they left off from last season and have led some impressive performances against Portland State, Hawaii and down the stretch against Texas Tech.

Alabama transfer Khyree Jackson has proven to be a lockdown defender in the secondary and has provided this defense with needed experience in the backfield, grabbing two interceptions so far this season. Ole Miss transfer Tysheem Johnson also stands out in the secondary, leading the team in tackles with 20 while coordinating perfectly with Jackson to lock down receivers.

With an athletic and experienced group and a great mix of transfer portal and homegrown talent, the Ducks carry a very exciting and successful group into their Pac-12 schedule. While the rest of the Pac-12 has looked super strong over the first three weeks, Oregon’s defense has what it takes to stack up against some of the nation’s best players such as Caleb Williams, Michael Penix Jr. and Shedeur Sanders.