Smith72 Moderator No. 1 Share Posted 18 hours ago The writer starts with Coach Lanning's pedigree. Oregon, Dan Lanning pursue national title in shadow of Alabama and Georgia expectations WWW.USATODAY.COM So Oregon isn't Alabama or Georgia. So what? It's a lot closer than you think to winning a national championship with Dan Lanning. The writer concludes with his key for winning it all, "...the might and fright of a defensive line that dictates games..." 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonDucks No. 2 Share Posted 15 hours ago (edited) On 2/26/2025 at 8:52 AM, Smith72 said: The writer concludes with his key for winning it all, "...the might and fright of a defensive line that dictates games..." I agree with that to a degree, but to be elite you need to be solid at all 3 levels. Oregon had a very good defensive line last year (probably one of the best in school history) but you need linebackers who can play the right run fits (Penn State game) and a secondary that doesn’t allow receivers to run free down the field (Rose Bowl). Lanning and staff are recruiting at an extremely high level but we’ll see if they are able to develop the dudes. Bama and Georgia just looked different particularly in the front 7. Edited 14 hours ago by OregonDucks 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kamikaze Kid Moderator No. 3 Share Posted 11 hours ago Year 1: We're disappointed that a couple second half defensive melt downs kept OBD out of the Pac championship. Year 2: We're disappointed that after a slow start OBD don't win the Pac championship and miss the playoffs. Year 3. We're disappointed that after an undefeated number one season, a slow start in the playoffs dooms OBD against the eventual champions. I'd say the disappointment trend is heading in the right direction and is running out of room. It seems like a Duck fan life time ago that Mario lead wins against Cal and WSU that felt as disappointing as loses. I'm loving the Lanning era and looking forward to this upcoming year. 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utki No. 4 Share Posted 10 hours ago On 2/26/2025 at 1:24 PM, The Kamikaze Kid said: Year 1: We're disappointed that a couple second half defensive melt downs kept OBD out of the Pac championship. Year 2: We're disappointed that after a slow start OBD don't win the Pac championship and miss the playoffs. Year 3. We're disappointed that after an undefeated number one season, a slow start in the playoffs dooms OBD against the eventual champions. I'd say the disappointment trend is heading in the right direction and is running out of room. It seems like a Duck fan life time ago that Mario lead wins against Cal and WSU felt as disappointing as loses. I'm loving the Lanning era and looking forward to this upcoming year. A slow start in the playoffs is a very generous interpretation of what occurred. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
30Duck Moderator No. 5 Share Posted 8 hours ago On 2/26/2025 at 1:39 PM, Utki said: A slow start in the playoffs is a very generous interpretation of what occurred. Well, played. But I agree with Kamikaze Kid's trend trajectory. From now on, 9-3 is the floor, they're will no longer be games that winning isn't expected, early line has OBD favored at Happy Valley, The Lines, offense and defense, control everything. How good, great they are, determines how every other position functions; great D Line can dictate a game, Nick Fairley. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitnessczar No. 6 Share Posted 4 hours ago (edited) There might be something to this D line determines everything mentality. Was Ohio State great at all three levels? Nope. I would be surprised if anyone can name their linebackers. But their D line was relentless. Particularly their edge players. They are the reason we scored one touchdown n the first half. And 21 points for the game. Edited 4 hours ago by Fitnessczar Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Joseph Moderator No. 7 Share Posted 3 hours ago Thank you, Smitty. It took Saban moving south from Michigan State and a couple of seasons to win a title at LSU, and a few years at the Bama helm to win a title. It took Kirby as noted above, a few seasons to lead UGA to the football promised land. This just in, there are more stud recruits in Alabama, Georgia, and in the Southeast than in Oregon and the Northwest. Yet, Oregon is killing it in recruiting and portal picking under a young, charismatic coach, backed by a top Division Street NIL collective. 13-0 and a B1G conference title in 2024 is amazing. There is more to come, but it is a work in progress, and Eugene, like Athens, and Tuscaloosa, were not built in a Day. It took Ryan Day six seasons to bring a title home to Columbus. The waiting is the hardest part. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
