Oregon Ducks

Oregon ranked preseason No. 10 by Sports Illustrated

Published Aug. 5, 2015 3:07 p.m. ET

foxsports

Sports Illustrated released its preseason top-25 on Tuesday and the Oregon Ducks have come it at No. 10. The ranking is a significant drop-off from the initial coaches poll, which has the Ducks ranked No. 5.

Here's the explanation as to why the Ducks are ranked No. 10:

"Gone is Heisman-winning quarterback and three-year starter Marcus Mariota, and in his place steps … a graduate transfer from the FCS? Or a backup who has attempted 41 passes? If Vernon Adams Jr., who threw for 10,438 yards and ran for 1,232 in three years at Eastern Washington, can quickly learn the playbook, the job is most likely his. The other option is junior Jeff Lockie, who has played garbage time for two years with the exception of one meaningful snap in the 2013 Alamo Bowl—which he fumbled."

(h/t Sports Illustrated)