Ducks or Bucks?

By Taylor Wilhoit, Staff Writer

This Monday 80,000 people will flood into Arlington Texas as the Oregon Ducks face the Ohio State Buckeyes for the 2014-2015 National Championship.

Both teams have nationally recognized offenses; both excel at third down conversion percentage (Ohio third and Oregon fourth), first down offense (Oregon second and Ohio fifth), and scoring (Oregon second and Ohio fifth).

But it will be the quarterbacks who make a difference. Marcus Mariota, Oregon’s leading quarterback, has already proven himself to be the best of the best. After winning the Heisman, Trophy-the highest honor awarded to any college football player, by 91% in December, the junior is ranked No. 1 in the nation.

On the other hand, Ohio State is on it’s third-ranked quarterback, Cardale Jones, after first string Braxton Miller threw out his shoulder pre-season and second string J.T. Barrett injured his ankle in the Ohio State-Michigan game (42-28). After starting for only two games, there is speculation as to whether he will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks or just slide back into the dark.

Two years ago, Mark Helfrich took over for Chip Kelly after Kelly left to coach the Philadelphia Eagles. The speculation and doubt that came from the coaching switch has long since disappeared after a chance at the national championship, something Oregon has never quite reached.

January 10, 2011, the Ducks almost reached their championship they so desperately wanted. After an undefeated 12-0 season, the Auburn Tigers beat them 22-19  at the University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Arizona. This year, the Ducks come back to finally win the title they deserve.