Oregon Ducks rundown :In Autzen or on the road, Chip Kelly craves the big game

FileChip Kelly says that as long as he's at Oregon, the Ducks will take on big nonconference games if they can find them.

You don't have to be an Oregon fan to appreciate Chip Kelly's competitive spirit.



As we inch closer and closer to Sept. 3 and the Ducks' season opener, Kelly and players are being bombarded with questions about how nervous they are, how much big games in the past have helped and what a win this early in the season could mean. Most of them don't take the bait -- they talk about this season being the only one that matters, and that they can't focus on what happened last year or who was there. (Though Kelly did joke yesterday that he spends a lot of time missing Jeff Maehl.)



Kelly loves the big game, loves the big challenge. And in a college football world where some traditional powers shy away from big nonconference matchups that could throw them to the top of the polls or end their season before it starts (that's the thinking anyway), you have to love that Kelly is willing to schedule the big game, consequences be damned.



"Scheduling is a science, I'm starting to learn," Kelly said. "But we're not afraid to play anyone at any time."



At the same time, Kelly admitted that the Ducks don't want to play all their marquee games away from Autzen, which is why the 2012 schedule probably won't feature a big-time nonconference game.



"It's the challenge," Kelly said of why he likes to schedule these type of games. "If you want to be the best you have to measure yourself against the best. Since I've been here we've played at Michigan, at Boise (State) and we'll continue to play them if people will play us. This school and this team won't back down to anyone."



Any college football fan should be grateful for coaches who have attitudes like that.



OK, the links:



Oregon's rebuilt offensive line faces another big SEC challenge



This Molly Blue video talks more about turnover on the offensive line



Kelly says there's no need to change the gameplan as LSU shuffles quarterbacks



Are the Ducks cranking the heat in the Mo? Kelly says no.



Terrence Mitchell and Troy Hill remain in the hunt to replace Cliff Harris



Tuesday practice: Huff is in full pads, no decision yet on travel roster or Kiko Alonso



Canzano: Two years after The Punch, LeGarrette Blount has made a fresh start



Schroeder: Huge game's sideshow makes it even bigger



Kelly is vague about the Ducks' depth, but nine players are expected to be first-time starters this weekend



From the Pac-12 Guru: Herbstreit picks the Ducks to win it all



More from the Guru about true freshman De'Anthony Thomas



Kelly eager to see how Ducks measure up to LSU



Willie Lyles meets with the NCAA (again) to discuss his relationship with Oregon



Some basketball news: Ducks overcome loud crowd in Italy to win again



Source :http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2011/08/oregon_ducks_rundown_in_autzen.html