Part of a continuing series examining the Power 5 and top Group of 5 teams for the 2018 college football season. Other entries by conference: ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC | G5/Independents



Throughout the sea of green and yellow during Oregon’s 15 spring practices, there was a familiar sight: black-and-white stripes. Interspersed between the yells from coaches and the music over the loudspeaker came their very loud — and, sometimes, too common — whistles.



Entering his first season as head coach, Mario Cristobal — who was co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in Willie Taggart’s one year in Eugene — knew he needed an officiating crew at as many practices as possible this spring. After leading the FBS in most penalties (122) and penalty yardage per game (88.3), as well as being in the top 20 nationally in most turnovers (25), the Ducks knew they made too...