Home of the Oregon Ducks
Home of the Oregon Ducks, Oregon Ducks 2009 College Football Predictions, Picks & Odds: New head coach Chip Kelly has changed the tone from the laid back west coast to the hardnosed east coast attitude that has helped him build one of the PAC-10’s most dynamic spread offenses. Kelly hopes to continue a winning tradition established by Mike Bellotti’s 14 year run culminating in his promotion to Athletic Director. Kelly takes over a team depleted of leadership but has a returning starter at quarterback Jeremiah Masoli who emerged as a dual threat in the second half of 2008. Odds makers at Sportsbook.com have the Ducks at 100-1 odds to win the BSC 2010 National Championship.
The offense should remain solid for 2009 as coach Kelly will continue to call the plays and act as offensive coordinator. Quarterback Masoli needs to continue to show leadership and develop his wide receivers to compliment tight end Ed Dickson a dangerous receiving threat. Jamere Holland, a transfer from USC and disappointment in 2008, has shown up ready to play and a more mature student athlete with great speed should help. LeGarrette Blount returns a punishing rushing style for the Ducks. If some good things happen early I like the college football odds on the Oregon Ducks to go OVER 7.5 wins at Sportsbook.com!
Defensively the Ducks have a strong core in the center with returning line backers Spencer Paysinger and Casey Matthews, so of NFL great Clay Matthews. The secondary is athletic with speed did not play well in 2008, a significant improvement is needs for this season. Anchoring the defensive line, Will Tukuafu is expected to develop into a solid player. College football picks at Sportsbook.com on Oregon are +400 odds to win the PAC-10 Conference.
Oregon special teams will need to mature early as true freshman kicker Mike Bowlin and punter Jackson Rice are contending for starting jobs. However, the Ducks return game should be strong with several speedy athletic players that can break long runs.
Tropical Storm Ana
Tropical Storm Ana, Tropical Storm Ana has formed over the Atlantic and could strengthen as it heads toward the Leeward Islands, forecasters said Saturday.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Ana could trigger a tropical storm watch for parts of the Leeward Islands later Saturday. It may pick up speed and approach the islands by Monday, the hurricane center said. It was 1,010 miles east of the islands early Saturday.
Ana, the first named storm of the Atlantic season, could slowly strengthen in the next couple of days as it moves to the west at 16 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Guillermo was swirling in the Pacific as a Category 3 storm. Winds were near 115 mph as the hurricane moved to the west-northwest at 16 mph. It was about 1,450 miles west of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula early Saturday morning.
However, Guillermo was expected to weaken Saturday and become even less powerful Sunday as it moves over cooler waters.
