Everything is going right for No. 1 Oregon (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) amidst its perfect debut season in the Big Ten. The Ducks’ 38-17 win over Michigan was their latest in what’s become a string of dominating wins in one of the country’s premier football conferences.
It’s hard to point at just one reason why this year’s Oregon team is having so much success, so we’ve compiled our best takes to break down some of the key components of Dan Lanning’s program’s achievements.
Defense – Jack Lazarus, Sports Associate Editor
The Ducks haven’t flown off the statsheet defensively, but this Oregon defense gets it done. In the three games since the instant classic against Ohio State, Oregon has only let up a combined 26 points, which can be attributed to the incredible team effort to force 3-and-outs. The Ducks have only forced 11 turnovers, but currently hold the eighth-lowest passer rating caused by a defense (107.8).
In those three games after Ohio State, the Ducks have gone stagnant once they take the lead, which is due to the trust in the defense. Each time an opposing team appears to have a chance to come back in the contest, it is shut down by the menacing Oregon defense.
Dillon Gabriel’s Efficiency – Brady Ruth, Sports Editor
Obviously, the Ducks wouldn’t be where they are without their Heisman candidate quarterback.
The transition from Bo Nix was made easier when Lanning brought in a quarterback with a similar style of play. Gabriel’s season has been an indirect replica of Nix’s 2024 season. In nine games, Gabriel’s thrown for 2,665 yards and rushed for 120. The Ducks are averaging 35.33 points-per-game and Gabriel looks to be in complete control of one of the country’s most lethal offenses.
Even his turnovers, as ugly as some have been, haven’t cost Oregon yet and Gabriel was unblemished against Ohio State and Michigan — the Ducks’ biggest wins of the season.
Running Back Room – Lily Crane, Sports Reporter
There were questions heading into the season about whether or not the productivity from the running back core would be the same with Bucky Irving going to the next level. Instead, Jordan James stepped into his bigger role, recording nine touchdowns for 917 yards in nine games.
The junior has reached 100 or more yards on the ground in five matchups, including a career-high of 166 yards against Michigan State. Noah Whittington has impressed too, adding four touchdowns for 306 yards on 72 carries. The junior duo adds a whole other layer of depth to a Ducks’ offense with so many receiving weapons, ultimately leaving opposing defenses in shambles.
Offensive Line Play – Beck Parsons, Sports Reporter
After allowing seven sacks in its first two games, Oregon’s offensive line rapidly solidified into the dominant unit Ducks fans have become accustomed to under Dan Lanning. Led by an elite tackle duo in Ajani Cornelius and Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon’s offensive line has allowed just three sacks in its last seven games, including a four-game stretch (Oregon State – Ohio State) in which Gabriel was never sacked.
The Ducks’ offensive front has also opened plenty of running lanes for Jordan James on the ground, who’s running at an impressive rate of 5.8 yards-per-carry.
Coaching — Joe Krasnowski, Sports Reporter
2024 has offered little revelation to the fact that Lanning can coach — a career record of 31-5 and perennial top recruiting classes do that just fine. However, this season has truly seen him realize his full transformation as a leader and team manager — especially as fellow Big Ten teams have struggled across the country.
The Ducks haven’t come out flat on the road, with the win over the Wolverines being the Ducks’ second of three regular season cross-country trips. Being in a position where you are beating opponents by an average of over 19 points per game helps him make the right calls too.
Wide Receiver Depth – Owen Murray, Sports Reporter
For the Ducks, who have the No. 11 offense by yards per game in the nation, it’s been the wide receiver corps that is holding down their offensive production.
Troy Franklin heads to the NFL after a record-breaking year? Tez Johnson (649 yds, 8 TD) steps up. Traeshon Holden (462, 3) is ejected from Oregon’s game against Ohio State? Justius Lowe (144, 1) is right there. Oregon looks in the transfer portal? Evan Stewart (462, 4) signs on. Seven different receivers had catches last weekend in Ann Arbor.
There’s a reason that the Ducks keep getting top-rated commitments. Dan Lanning and the staff in Eugene keep proving that the Willamette Valley is the spot for receivers to thrive.
Thriving Through Adversity – Max Koebel, Sports Reporter
Oregon currently sits at 9-0, and it has been no easy road. The Ducks opened the season with two home games against lesser opponents and beat them both by a combined difference of 13 points. With many new pieces on the roster this year, it took a minute to adjust. When they traveled to Corvallis, the Ducks seemed to turn a lightswitch.
They dominated their next three games, leading up to Ohio State, their biggest test of the year. Both teams battled head-to-head for four quarters and the Ducks narrowly won in front of Autzen’s largest crowd ever. Every week, there’s an upset narrative against Oregon, and every week it’s wrong.