The 2004-05 season is full of expectations for Oregon and the Ducks have a schedule that offers good reason for hope.
After Oregon’s final non-conference tune up against Idaho on
Sept. 25, the Ducks enter what appears to be a favorable Pacific-10 Conference schedule.
Oregon will have the luxury of avoiding preseason No. 1 Southern California for the second straight season, which may be the most important factor in the Ducks’ quest for their first Pac-10 title since 2001.
With the bottom half of the conference appearing weak, only
three or four teams have a legitimate shot at competing for the conference crown.
“I expect it to be a big year for us,” junior tight end Tim Day said. “I haven’t been this confident heading into a season before.”

The Ducks’ toughest conference test will be a Nov. 6 trip to Berkeley, Calif., to face the Golden Bears.
California’s offense has thrived
under head coach Jeff Tedford and appears to be the most talented
in the Pac-10 behind USC.
Facing California late in the season, however, gives Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti time to make the proper adjustments before facing the Golden Bears’ quick-striking offense.
The Ducks open Pac-10 play with a home contest against Arizona State Oct. 6. The Oregon defense will be tested immediately, as the Sun Devils have scored a whopping 104 points in their last two meetings with the Ducks. The game
could very well turn into a shootout as Oregon has its own share of offensive muscle.
Oregon’s first Pac-10 road trip will be to Pullman, Wash., where the Ducks have a chance to avenge last year’s embarrassing 55-16 loss to Washington State. While the Cougars return only six players from last year’s 10-win team, they always play tough at home and should give Oregon all they can handle.
The final four games of the season will be Oregon’s toughest stretch, including rivalry showdowns with Washington and Oregon State, a trip to Berkeley and a home game with UCLA.
The Ducks proved they can finish strong last year, winning four of their last five games before a narrow loss to Minnesota in the Sun Bowl.
While the Ducks’ talent is
superior to many teams in the Pac-10, no conference win comes
easy. With that said, the Ducks
realize they have a chance to achieve something special this year and are working hard to maximize their skills.
“I’m trying to get some time
at tailback and do whatever I can
to make more plays and try to be a playmaker any way possible,”
senior running back Kenny Washington said. “I want to win every game that we play this season and not let what happened at the Sun Bowl happen again.”
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