With The First Pick
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Mario Cristobal turning Oregon Football into national power, NFL pipeline

By Timothy Rodriguez

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Mario Cristobal of the Oregon Ducks looks on during the Las Vegas Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Mario Cristobal of the Oregon Ducks looks on during the Las Vegas Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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PAC-12 Champs Oregon Football (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
PAC-12 Champs Oregon Football (Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

Taking over the conference

After two straight years of improvement and a down period in the conference, the Ducks look poised to begin a reign of terror in the PAC-12. Their two losses in 2019 were by a combined nine points. The only conference loss was a road loss to Arizona State by three points.

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Before that loss, Oregon looked like a legitimate national title contender. In the PAC-12 title game, Oregon met the Utah Utes, a physical team that needed a win to potentially secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Ducks boat raced them. The final score was 37-15 and wasn’t even that close. Oregon went on national television and flexed their muscles in front of the rest of the conference.

Oregon was the most talented team in the PAC-12 in 2019 and appears to still be the top dog in 2020. While 2020 may prove to be difficult because of the quarterback change and brand new offensive line, the future is remarkably bright in Eugene.

Mario Cristobal has all the potential to build the next PAC-12 powerhouse. Some longtime coaches in the conference are gone as Chris Peterson and Mike Leach have departed from their respective schools. Colorado also lost Mel Tucker to the Michigan State Spartans. Not to mention, the former PAC-12 power, USC, still has Clay Helton coaching their football team.

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