The Oregon Ducks have taken a notable tumble in the latest AP Poll, falling from their preseason No. 3 ranking to No. 7. This decline, following a surprisingly close 24-14 victory over the University of Idaho, is entirely warranted based on their performance.
BREAKING: Week 2 College Football AP Poll🚨https://t.co/WNZdymMO7m pic.twitter.com/fwVtqNC4TK
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The Ducks’ struggle against an FCS opponent that they were heavily favored to beat by 44.5 points exposed several critical issues. Oregon’s offensive line, which suffered a key loss with the departure of center Jackson Powers-Johnson to the NFL, showed significant inconsistency and poor communication. Additionally, the offense failed to generate explosive plays, and the interior run game was virtually non-existent.
In contrast, the teams that surpassed Oregon in the rankings, such as Ole Miss and Notre Dame, demonstrated far superior performance. Notre Dame’s secondary appeared dominant, while Ole Miss, under Lane Kiffin and quarterback Jaxson Dart, scored an impressive 76 points in their opener.
Despite these concerns, it’s important to remember that it’s only the first game of the season. Oregon’s path to the College Football Playoffs remains open, with a long season ahead. The key for the Ducks will be addressing their shortcomings swiftly. Head Coach Dan Lanning has been clear about the need for improvement, both in practice and in their approach to upcoming games.
With the new playoff format rewarding conference champions with automatic berths and first-round byes, Oregon’s focus should be on winning the Pac-12 and improving their play. Their immediate task is to demonstrate their true potential in their next game against Boise State. The Ducks need to refocus, address their issues, and show that they are still a formidable contender in the national conversation.
