Oregon Football: 5 reasons why Ducks will turn things around in 2017

Oregon football had a season to forget in 2016. Here's a look at why the Ducks will turn things around in 2017.

The Oregon football program had one of the worst seasons in a long time under former head coach Mark Helfrich in 2016. The Ducks went just 2-7 in Pac-12 Conference play, their worst performance since 2006, when they went 4-5 under Mike Bellotti.

They began the season 2-0 before things fell apart in a hurry, losing their next five games, including a 70-21 drubbing at the hands of the Washington Huskies. The Oregon Ducks allowed 378 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in the game.

Taggart inherits a defense that allowed 518.9 total yards per game, 11th in the Pac-12, and 3.2 rushing touchdowns per contest. While the Oregon offense was putting up impressive numbers, the defense was giving up even more.

However, that was then and this is now. Head coach Willie Taggart comes off a strong tenure with the South Florida Bulls looking to work more of his magic. It is Taggart's third stint as a head football coach. He began his head coaching career at Western Kentucky in 2010.

Taggart brings a refreshing style to the Ducks that can allow for playmakers like Justin Herbert and Royce Freeman to do what they do well. The offense wasn't the issue last season so much as the defense was.

The Oregon Ducks should be in good shape on offense, with some changes on defense, they could improve as well. In either case, here's five reasons why the Ducks will turn things around in 2017.

Apr 29, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon ducks running back Tony Brooks-James (20) celebrates following a touchdown at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

5. The offense is still intact

The good news for the Oregon Ducks is their offense is still intact for the most part for the 2017 season. They will have some holes to fill at the tight end position and on the offensive line but they should still be good offensively.

Quarterback Justin Herbert didn't fair too poorly on offense for the Ducks last season. Most of the weaknesses came on the defensive side of the ball. The offense was second in the Pac-12 in total yards per game (491.7) and yards per play (6.6).

For the most part, the Oregon offense ranked at the top of the conference in key categories. They didn't turn the ball over much as they ranked ninth in turnovers per game (1.3).

A lot of the offensive production returns next season as well, especially for running back Tony Brooks-James. Brooks-James had 101 rushes for 771 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 2016. He led the team in rushing yards per carry with 7.6. He's also a strong option in the kick return game.

Brooks-James should prove to be a lethal combination with running back Royce Freeman out of the backfield in 2017.

Apr 21, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt tells during spring practice at the Oregon Ducks outdoor practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

4. Inexperience is the best teacher

The good thing for the Oregon Ducks is inexperience tends to be the best teacher when it comes to experience. Much like the offense, the defense returns a majority of its starters. With nine starters coming back, the taste of last season looms huge in how they perform this season.

The hiring of head coach Willie Taggart opened the door for a new defensive coordinator. Enter, Jim Leavitt, former defensive coordinator with the Colorado Buffaloes. Hiring away Leavitt from a Pac-12 foe is huge for the Ducks, especially considering what he did at Colorado.

Leavitt led a Buffaloes defense that ranked second in the Pac-12 in total yards allowed per game (342.9) and passing yards per game (193.1). The Colorado defense ranked 20th in the FBS in scoring defense last season, allowing 21.7 points per game. The Oregon Ducks defense allowed 41.4 points per game (126th in the FBS).

The Ducks defense is still a young squad, but after last season's debacle, a simpler system under defensive coordinator Leavitt should do them some good. They allowed 247.0 rushing yards and 3.2 rushing touchdowns per game as a team last season.

Apr 21, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) walks on the field during spring practice at the Oregon Ducks outdoor practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

3. Royce Freeman returns

Running back Royce Freeman returning to the Oregon Ducks for his senior season gives them one of the best running backs in the country. Freeman didn't have the greatest year in 2016 either, so his return gives the Ducks offense plenty to smile about.

Freeman ran for 945 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 2016. It wasn't close to his 1,838 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 2015, but that's largely why he returned to Oregon. That and the opportunity to play for Willie Taggart was hard to pass up.

Taggart engineered an offense that scored 43.8 points per game (8th in the FBS) at South Florida. Pair that with the talent on the Oregon Ducks roster and fans can hopefully see why Freeman is so excited.

Freeman decided to pass up on the NFL Draft this past year despite being one of the best running backs in the class. With a strong 2017 campaign, Freeman's stock will certainly rise as a coveted back at the next level.

Apr 29, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert (10) exchanges a gift with a service man following the game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

2. Justin Herbert is ready to lead

Quarterback Justin Herbert didn't look too shell-shocked when given the starting job last season. After overtaking starter duties from Dakota Prukop, the true freshman came into his own in 2016.

Prukop was a highly-coveted graduate transfer out of Montana State, an FCS school. He started the first five games of the season before losing the job to Herbert.

Now, under Willie Taggart, Herbert has an opportunity to lead the Oregon Ducks back to Pac-12 supremacy. Herbert threw for 1,936 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns last season. He threw just four interceptions as well in eight total games of action.

Herbert became the first true freshman to start a game at Oregon since 1983. He threw for 489 passing yards, tying the single-game record, and four passing touchdowns in a 54-35 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils on Oct. 29.

The week before that, he threw for 251 passing yards and six passing touchdowns, tying another single-game school record. If Coach Taggart decides to keep Herbert as starter, the team should be in good hands. Although his record doesn't show it, in 2017, Herbert should be a quarterback to watch in the Pac-12.

Apr 29, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon defensive lineman Jalen Jelks (97) and cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. (11) talk with Oregon head coach Willie Taggart at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

1. Willie Taggart looks prime for the big stage

Head coach Willie Taggart looks like he's ready for the big stage. After accumulating a record of 16-20 in three seasons at Western Kentucky, he made the jump to South Florida. At South Florida, Taggart went 34-27 in five seasons as head coach.

His next stop with the Oregon Ducks could be the big break he's needed all along. After leading the South Florida Bulls to back-to-back 10-win seasons, Taggart looks ready to lead at a Power-5 program.

Taggart brings a renewed focus to a team that needs to let its playmakers thrive in open space on the field. After what he did with quarterback Quinton Flowers, anything is possible.

Flowers threw for 2,812 passing yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for another 1,530 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. He was the 2016 American Conference Player of the Year showcasing his skills as both a passer and rusher in the conference.

Taggart has a passer in quarterback Justin Herbert and two rushers in Royce Freeman and Tony Brooks-James. With all three weapons on offense, the possibilities to thrive in the Pac-12 are endless for Taggart and the Oregon Ducks.

Now, they'll just need to watch out for the Washington Huskies, Stanford Cardinal and USC Trojans, teams who are sure to challenge for the Pac-12 title.

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