Forgive fans and those who cover the team for looking ahead, but after watching Oregon dispose of two – and likely soon to be three following Saturday’s game versus San Jose State – overmatched opponents in convincing fashion in consecutive weeks, the countdown to the Ducks’ Pac-12 opener versus Stanford is unofficially on.

At this point, while Oregon’s play has been largely encouraging, it’s difficult to accurately gauge just how good this team is considering the caliber of opponent the Ducks have faced. Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal said as much following the Ducks’ 62-14 dismantling of Portland State last Saturday, plainly stating, “I feel like we know who we are, we just haven’t been tested.”

The results from the past two weeks would back up that statement in kind, as the Ducks have outscored their opponents 120-38 while outgaining them by an average of 226.5 yards per game. With the 0-2 Spartans coming to Autzen Stadium this weekend, that lopsided trend only figures to continue, as 11 days separate the Ducks from their date with the Cardinal.

Yet, one trend that feels close to coming to an end is the one involving the six-man rotation the Ducks have employed at running back the past couple of weeks.

Entering the season, there were no illusions that the Ducks would have to uncover a replacement for the school’s all-time leading rusher in Royce Freeman. The cadre of candidates was spearheaded by veteran Tony Brooks-James, though the separation between him and the five other scholarship running backs on the Oregon roster offered little margin for error on Brooks-James’ behalf.

Nagging injuries throughout fall camp limited the number of reps received from players such as CJ Verdell, Travis Dye, and Darrian Felix, though all three have been healthy and active contributors in the Oregon ground game at various points through the first two games of the year.

But are the Ducks any closer to shoring up what is otherwise an opaque group of six?

The answer to that question feels like it’s yes, but if you’re noticing a lack of assurance in that reply, it’s for good reason. What we can say with relative confidence is that the trio of Brooks-James, Verdell, and Dye appears to rule the roost in the running back pecking order for Cristobal and Oregon running backs coach Jim Mastro.

Speed has long been Brooks-James’ is greatest asset, and while he has shown improved physicality and toughness between the tackles, he has yet to put all of the pieces together and stake his claim as this team’s best, most complete back. In the season opener versus Bowling Green, Brooks-James was hardly heard from aside from his 53-yard catch and run in the second quarter, finishing the day with 27 yards on five carries. He rebounded nicely against Portland State this past Saturday, leading all rushers with 107 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, but has yet to play with the same kind of explosiveness that has been his trademark, or exhibit the kind of decisiveness in hitting the hole that one would expect out of a lead back.

Verdell and Dye, by comparison, have shown a little more in these areas. Through two games, Verdell leads the Ducks in rushing with 157 yards on the ground to go along with one touchdown, and has seemingly been a shoelace tackle away from ripping off long gains that would only further pads those stats. Of all the running backs on the Oregon roster, Verdell may have the best blend of speed, quickness, and physicality. He also appears to be a player who is rapidly gaining confidence with each carry he receives, as the redshirt freshman eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career last weekend versus Portland State after leading the Ducks in rushing with 51 yards the week before versus Bowling Green.

The same can be said for Dye, who has 95 yards on only 11 carries to this point, but continues to flash tremendous natural instincts as a true freshman running back. His 49-yard touchdown scamper versus the Vikings on Saturday is the longest run by an Oregon running back through two games this season, and it showcased his home run hitting potential if allowed the slightest of creases. Though perhaps not as shifty and with more to be seen in terms of evaluating his overall toughness as a runner, Dye’s skillset is somewhat reminiscent of LaMichael James. He has miles to go before reaching that status as household name, but it’s clear that the younger brother of Troy Dye has tantalizing long-term potential.

The second tier in the Oregon backfield features the aforementioned Felix, a sophomore, alongside redshirt freshman Cyrus Habibi-Likio and senior Taj Griffin. To date, Habibi-Likio has seemingly carved out a role as the Ducks’ short yardage and goal line back, as his 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame is best suited for churning out yards against stacked defensive fronts. With two touchdowns to his name thus far, it’s hard to argue too much with the results. Griffin and Felix, on the other hand, are somewhat enigmatic.

Have seen action as a running back, wide receiver, and return man during his Oregon career, Griffin has largely operated without a defined role but is unquestionably one of the team’s most dangerous players with the ball in his hands and an open field with which to operate. The senior and former four-star recruit electrified the Autzen Stadium crowd in the season opener versus Bowling Green with his 83-yard catch and run. Barring injury, a multi-purpose role distinctly appears to be Griffin’s place on this team moving forward.

Of all the running backs on the roster, the biggest mystery man seems to be Felix. After seeing spot duty last season as a true freshman, Felix was expected to play a larger role in the running game this season, but has yet to receive the same kind of opportunities afforded to Brooks-James, Verdell, and Dye. Against Bowling Green, Felix looked very capable of playing a featured role, flashing great lateral quickness, explosiveness, and decisiveness en route to gaining 38 yards on eight carries. However, he inexplicably didn’t receive a single carry against Portland State, casting some doubt on where he may figure into the mix. Cristobal said Monday that Felix will get his opportunities against the Spartans on Saturday, which means Felix could be the biggest mover of this group when this time next week rolls around.