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David, that was really a well summarized and thought-out article about our secondary. In some respects, the real tell-tale year might be next year. I write that because the secondary is the most talented and deepest that I can ever remember at Oregon. But the majority are very young and inexperienced. Assuming they get some playing time to develop--we may see elite secondary play late in this season, and consistently in 2026. Great stuff, and I appreciate the hint to keep an eye on this part of the team this year.

Very good summary and assessment David. Thanks for the article. Really made me think about this year's challenges the team will face. I believe we will be seeing key elements we haven't seen before in this year's defense: Lanning's first group that is overwhelmingly his as an entire unit, and the fact that most of that group has been in the system at least two years. I believe it also will be a true evaluation of Lanning's version of the Bear Defense. Which I myself am looking forward to evaluating over the course of this season. I am looking forward to scrutinizing the defense in both college and its iterations in the NFL as well. There are a good number of teams that are very close to each other in terms of talent and ability. It's going to be a fascinating year as I believe coaching is going to be a major factor in determining who wins this year's title.

I think soft defense is sort of a systemic thing with OBD. It goes with the territory/history of glitz, glamour, speed and likability. IMHO we need a few more dirt dogs like this to set the tone for tough defense:

I think the pass rush and coverage are the ultimate in complementary football. If the pass rush is disruptive the DBs don't have to guard as long, and if the DBs can guard well it gives time or the pass rush to get home and make coverage sacks. We likely will have the best pash rush in the country this year. Because of this and that our secondary will be so physical yet inexperienced, I think our secondary will play a lot of man coverage, to jam the wr off the line to eliminate quick passes before the rush can get home, and to minimize zone coverage breakdowns due to lack of experience as a group.

Know the Foe: Five Montana State Bobcat players to know The seventh-ranked Ducks will host Montana State at Autzen Stadium this Saturday at 1 PM. Here are five Bobcat players to know entering the game.

Dillon is On Deck - Blow Your Horn + Shovel Sand(ers) on Mel Kiper - 😁 https://duckswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/ducks/football/2025/08/24/former-oregon-duck-dillon-gabriel-impresses-final-preseason-outing/85809299007/?utm_source=smg-duckswire-strada&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=S

In the Weight Room, isn't the goal to try and Double Up?😁

Thanks, David, for another terrific article. It's great to have an article dealing with football and not the extracurricular stuff. Bigger, faster, stronger are the watchwords for OBD's DBs, who gave up many yards to Ohio State's terrific receiving corps in Autzen and were shredded by the same group in Pasadena in what looked like a group of amateurs against pros. It took one of Dan Lanning's mentors, Kirby Smart, six seasons to win a national championship, ending a 41-year drought with a most satisfying win against Saint Nick's Alabama. Georgia had a great deal of success before winning it all, but it took monster recruiting years to assemble the talent required to play Smart's hybrid defense. Like Kirby, it took Ryan Day six years to win it all at Ohio State. The Rose Bowl loss came against a better-prepared, super-motivated team with the deepest and most talented roster in college football. Yet, Texas found a way to shut down J. Smith and crew in the Cotton Bowl. With the right talent and coaching, even the best offenses can be held down. See, Eagles versus Chiefs in the Super Bowl. This is Dan's 4th season at the helm. The roster is inexperienced, but it is probably the deepest and most talented since Dan's arrival, and it does look like bigger, faster, and stronger guys will be manning the D-back spots. Dan is moving OBD toward the title, and I expect the Ducks will have another good chance of capturing a B1G title and will return to the PO. You have to make the PO field to win it all. Get there often enough, and the championship day (Day?) will arrive, and Dan and his D will look oh so Smart. Thanks again, David, and let's Bob some Cats!

Keegan Croucher, elite QB, down to Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn StateKeegan Croucher, elite QB, down to Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn...Elite quarterback down to 3

Usually the DB's reflect the situation up front. If the DL and LB's are good the DB's mirror it. Since IMO this is the first year Lanning has a "Lanning" defence up front. I suspect everything will be just fine.

QB, or not QB? Wake Up and give traveling man Robby Ashford a hand. And don't doubt Dante! On3Latest intel on top remaining college football quarterbac...Week 1 is now exactly a week away, and some college football programs have yet to name a starting quarterback. Here's the latest intel.

I recall the early Lanning days when he was asked about the blueprint and the roster he was inheriting. He said the plan was to build from the trenches outward. Lupoi echoed that on defense specifically. Taking them at their word then the timetable makes sense that this is the year we should see developed players with the desired measurables on the back end. Should be fun…..personally I am most worried about receiving on the offensive side

DSC Inside Read: A 3-2-1 Primer for 2025Setting the Stage Dan Lanning enters Year 4 in Eugene with his deepest, most complete roster yet — and perhaps his biggest challenge. After three weeks of fall camp, two scrimmages, and endless reps, Oregon emerges sharper, faster, and more competitive than at any point in his tenure. But the Ducks’ path to the College Football Playoff won’t be simple. Oregon opens with Montana State and Oklahoma State, and Oregon State before the Big Ten gauntlet begins with a tricky early trip to Northwestern. From there: at Penn State, Indiana, at Rutgers, Wisconsin, at Iowa, Minnesota, USC, and at Washington. The Ducks’ roster can contend with anyone in the country, but success in 2025 hinges on how quickly this group settles into roles — and whether they can survive an unforgiving Big Ten slate. Here’s what we learned from fall camp, what we still don’t know, and where this season is headed. Duck Sports CentralDSC Inside Read: A 3-2-1 Primer for 2025Oregon Ducks football, Dan Lanning, Oregon recruiting, college football, NIL, Big Ten, Pac-12, Scott Reed, Duck Sports Central, recruiting news

Cornerback is one of the most difficult positions to play on defense. A CB’s reaction times and quickness are negated if a decent QB has the time to throw the ball. The most effective secondaries get a huge assist from the pass rush, or blitzing scheme. With 39 sacks Oregon was ranked #6. Oregon’s passing defense allowed 187 yards/game, and total defense allowed 19.4 points/game. Our red zone defense was below average allowing teams to score 85% of the time. To compare, tOSU pass defense allowed 167/game, and total defense 12.9 points/game. Their red zone defense allowed scores 60% of the time, and was near the top in the nation. Our secondary is just part of the entire story.

Great article! Hoping to see this defense take on DL's personality, and start to resemble those defenses he coached at Georgia.

One of my favorite collaborations: Bussin' With the Boys and Josh Pate. If you recall from the win against tosu at Autzen, Dan Lanning immediately went berserk and body slammed into two guys . . . it was the guys from Bussin' With the Boys. My favorite part was Josh Pate saying that he went to Oregon's practice recently, and he said: "I got no doubt about Dante Moore". (see 52 minute mark) I try not to get my hopes up too much, but I'm hearing this from other national sports folks once they observe an Oregon practice.

There aren't many of them... But there is ONE that we cannot ignore, Ohio State. Many will argue that Ohio State has a pretty balanced attack which is pretty true as well but they have elite receivers and usually quarterback talent that can destroy secondaries. Then the playoff itself will have plenty of elite receivers that we'll have to defend to reach the natty.

Spot on, great read! I’d equate having a good passing attack to having a good 3-point shooting team in college hoops. Any team with a draft-able QB, a couple good WRs and an air first scheme has a shot to win a shootout on a given day, especially at home. The great equalizer for talent which our buddy Mike Leach (RIP) made a career out of. Relying on this probably won’t get you to 10 wins very often, but it can make a team consistently bowl eligible that otherwise wouldn’t be. That being said, there aren’t a lot of air it out “buzz saws” in our new league, so it may take a while to find out if we have the same weakness this year.

Agreed . . . also think it would be great in the weight room.

The moniker "student athlete" is now truly a misnomer.

Isaiah World turned down 2 Mil? But what did he get? Oregon Ducks' Top Transfer Turned Down Lucrative NIL Deal At Other School?

Former Duck Jackson Powers-Johnson moves to Guard and wins the starting position for the Raiders! Autzen ZooDuck fan favorite and Rimington Award winner proves again...When Jackson Powers-Johnson was a freshman offensive guard at Oregon in 2021, the Ducks ran short of defensive linemen for the Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma.

Stunning admission by Dante Moore! Autzen ZooDante Moore makes a stunning admission about Oregon quart...In the last week of Fall Camp the media asked Dante Moore to compare himself to Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel.

College football odds: Penn State, Notre Dame among 10 best bets for perfect regular seasons in 2025 The teams that stand the best chance of getting through the regular season undefeated

Oregon Ducks Tied With SEC Recruiting Powerhouse For Most 5-Star CommitsThe Oregon Ducks and Alabama Crimson Tide are tied for the most five-star commits in the recruiting class of 2026. Oregon's class features five-star recruits like offensive tackle Immanuel Iheanacho, safety Jett Washington, EDGE Anthony Jones, and tight end Kendre Harrison. Oregon Ducks On SIOregon Ducks Tied With SEC Recruiting Powerhouse For Most...The Oregon Ducks are once again recruiting at an elite level. The Ducks, who are currently ranked at No. 3 in the 2026 recruiting rankings according to On3, hav