Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is widely regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in college football, and for good reason. His resume boasts an impressive 27-5 overall record, along with exceptional recruiting efforts that have bolstered the Ducks’ future. However, this Saturday’s matchup between No. 3 Oregon and No. 2 Ohio State holds more significance for Lanning than just a regular-season win. It’s a defining moment for his tenure at Oregon—an opportunity to prove that he and the Ducks are ready to compete at the highest level of college football.
While Lanning’s first two years in Eugene have been marked by success, his 7-5 record against ranked teams still leaves some questions unanswered. In 2022, his debut season, the Ducks went 3-3 against top 25 opponents, securing victories over BYU, UCLA, and Utah. But those wins lose some shine upon further inspection—BYU and UCLA both underperformed, finishing with 8-5 and 9-4 records, respectively. The lone standout was the win over Utah. On the other side of the ledger, Oregon was handed defeats by Georgia, Washington, and Oregon State, with the blowout loss to the Bulldogs a humbling 49-3 result in Lanning’s first game.
Fast forward to the 2023 season, and Oregon posted a stronger 4-2 record against ranked teams. Yet again, context matters. One of those wins came against Colorado, who, despite being ranked No. 19 at the time, finished the season 4-8. Wins over Utah and Oregon State were more meaningful, but both teams finished with 8-5 records. The Ducks’ most convincing victory was in a bowl game, where they dominated Liberty, a Group of Five champion with a 13-0 record. However, Liberty’s biggest win of the season was over New Mexico State, underscoring that Oregon has yet to notch a signature win over an elite opponent under Lanning.
That’s what makes this weekend’s showdown with Ohio State so pivotal. This is Lanning’s chance to secure his first victory against a true college football powerhouse. A win against the Buckeyes wouldn’t just be a significant step forward for Lanning’s program—it would send shockwaves through the college football world. Oregon’s move to the Big Ten makes this matchup even more important, as it could set the tone for their future in the conference. Beating Ohio State would solidify the Ducks as a serious contender, signaling to the Big Ten and the rest of the nation that Oregon is ready to compete with the best.
For Dan Lanning and the Ducks, Saturday isn’t just about one game—it’s about establishing Oregon as a legitimate national power. If they can pull off the win, it would be the biggest victory of Lanning’s career and a defining moment for the future of the program. All eyes will be on Eugene to see if Oregon is ready to take that next step.
