The Fix: 5 questions facing Oregon in 2014

The Fix is a look at major storylines following this year's top college contenders, and how teams will handle these challenges heading into the season.

The Oregon Ducks found themselves on the cusp of the national title hunt in each of the last three seasons, hoping to return to the championship game following their 2011 loss to the Auburn Tigers, but in the end, they've found themselves on the outside looking in each time.

The Ducks are now in position to compete for another title in 2014, with a returning Heisman candidate at quarterback, and an offensive roster tabbed as one of the deepest the school has ever produced.

Here are five questions facing Oregon entering the 2014 season:

Does Marcus Mariota have another Heisman run in him?

There's really little more Oregon fans can ask of Marcus Mariota, but the reality is the team won't stand a chance at competing for a national title unless he receives an invitation to New York.

Mariota is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football, helping the team to a 23-3 record in his first two years with the program. Mariota has thrown for 6,342 yards and 63 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, adding 1,467 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.

Now, set to enter his junior season in Eugene, Mariota will be expected to take the next step, and, with so little room for improvement, that's going to mean a special kind of season, one that ends with some significant hardware.

Who's going to catch the football?

It's no secret the Ducks like to play fast, with Mark Helfrich continuing the tradition that made the team so successful under Chip Kelly. Nine offensive starters return from a year ago, but the team will need to weather a lot of turnover at the wide receiver position, and that has been the main area that detractors of the team have turned their focus to.

The biggest absence is certainly Josh Huff, the team's top receiver from a year ago, who will be playing for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in the fall. Also significant is the torn ACL suffered by All-Pac-12 candidate Bralon Addison in a non-contact drill in April, which could cost him the entire season.

Redshirt junior Keanon Lowe is expected to begin the season as the team's top pass-catcher, despite entering his fourth year with the program with only 40 catches to his name. Redshirt freshman receiver Devon Allen is a player who will be called on to play a bigger role. He impressed onlookers in the spring, and the track star looks to offer the Ducks a deep threat over the top.

Will the defensive front hold up?

The team's defensive front has been holding the team back in recent years. Susceptible to potent rushing attacks, and lacking a dominant pass-rusher, Oregon's front seven inspire fear in no one.

They hope for that to change this season, and junior defensive end DeForest Buckner will be called upon to play a big role in that. Buckner isn't the kind of player that will light up the stat sheet, but he will play a key role along the defensive line, and possesses the power to be a disruptive force up front.

Can they figure out Stanford?

Last season's 26-20 loss at Stanford hides how poorly Oregon actually played in that game - they trailed 26-0 in the fourth quarter. It was Oregon's second consecutive loss against Stanford, which, not surprisingly, has yielded the top spot in the Pac-12 North Division to the Cardinal in back-to-back seasons.

Stanford isn't going anywhere, and Oregon gets them in a tough spot this year, sandwiched between a pair of road games inside the conference.

The Oregon offense needs to be better, but the team's defense also needs to do a better job of getting off the field. It can't afford to again let Stanford control the football and dominate time of possession.

How will they handle a tricky schedule?

The Ducks' schedule is full of speed bumps this season. In addition to a date with aforementioned Stanford, the team draws Michigan State in their second game of the season, and a road date at UCLA.

There's also no telling how the team will handle a date with Rich Rodriguez's Arizona Wildcats. Each of the last two meetings between the teams has resulted in a blowout, with Oregon winning 49-0 in 2012, and Arizona taking 2013's matchup 42-16.

Previous editions of The Fix:

Alabama | Florida State | Ohio State | Auburn | LSU