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According to Brock Huard of ESPN.com, the Oregon Ducks could be playing for a BCS championship this upcoming season.

The USC Trojans could be the preseason favorite to win the Pac-12, however with the Oregon Ducks "elite defense" could give them the edge and push them into the title game.

Oregon's head coach Chip Kelly told Huard, "Yeah, our group thinks they could be [as good as the top SEC defensive lines]."

The Ducks defensive line features Wade Keliikipi [6-foot-3, 300 pounds], Ricky Heimuli [6-4, 321],  Taylor Hart (6-6, 289), incoming freshman Arik Armstead ( the highest-rated defensive recruit in Kelly's tenure)   and of course, First-team All-Pac 12 defensive end Dion Jordan (6-7, 245).

Sure defense will be the Ducks calling card this year, but quarterbacks Bryan Bennett or redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota could be instore for a break out year. According to Huard, both players have the "speed, size and throwing ability that Kelly wants in his QB."

The Oregon Ducks schedule this upcoming season also favors them with five of the Ducks' first six games at home, with only two true major threats this season. Their only road game during those first six games will be against Washington State at Century Link Field in Seattle.

Sure depth could be a problem, but I believe that their quarterbacks will gain the experience they need to get the job done. Those aforementioned threats to their perfect season are games versus USC (on the road) and Stanford later in the season.

In my opinion the Ducks will go 11-1, but I will not be surprised if they go undefeated. The will be in a BCS bowl, but will they playing Discover BCS National Championship Game is the question they will have to answer next season.

Reginald McIntyre Jr. is a contributing writer for FootBasket. He also contributes at Hoops Authority and Fast Break First Down. Follow him on Twitter @McIntyre_II.

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