Dan Lanning isn’t brushing aside UCLA’s hot start, and he’s making the comparison as loud as possible.
The Oregon coach said the Bruins remind him of last year’s Indiana team, a striking nod to what first-year head coach Bob Chesney has built in Westwood. Through four games in 2026, UCLA is 4-0, ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in years, and suddenly looking like a program that belongs in the conversation again after struggling for much of the past 15 years.
That turnaround sets up a serious test this week at Autzen Stadium, where No. 15 Oregon hosts UCLA. Plenty of people would expect the Ducks to handle the Bruins, but Lanning clearly isn’t buying that script.
He’s seen enough to treat UCLA like a team that can wreck a good night. Oregon was stunned by Indiana before the Hoosiers went on to win a national championship, and Lanning is not eager to let his team get caught in another trap after the loss to Oklahoma State. The Ducks do have some momentum after beating USC, and that win has put them back in the national conversation.
Still, this isn’t a spot for Oregon to relax. UCLA has won every game so far by at least two scores, which is exactly the kind of detail that makes a coach take a second look.
Lanning’s Indiana comparison is high praise for Chesney’s work, and it also tells you how seriously Oregon is approaching this matchup. If UCLA can go into Eugene and beat the Ducks, the Bruins will have made a major statement about just how real this start is. It would also send a strong signal that football is back in that corner of Southern California, with Big Ten and College Football Playoff implications hanging over the game.
In Other News...
Buffs Homecoming Test Could Reveal A Lot About Colorado
Folsom Field gets a marquee Homecoming stage Saturday evening when Colorado welcomes No. 12 Texas Tech, a matchup set for 5:35 p.m. MT on FOX. The Buffaloes are trying to stop a two-game slide, while the Red Raiders arrive unbeaten, which gives this one a much different feel than a standard fall celebration in Boulder.
It is the kind of game that can tell a lot about where Colorado stands right now, especially with a ranked opponent bringing both momentum and a national audience. The backdrop matters here too, with the historical angle of the series adding some extra weight to a game that already carries plenty of pressure and a chance for the Buffs to reset their season. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor May Have Just Sparked A Colorado Quarterback Problem
Deion Sanders made a notable change after Colorados Week 4 struggles, opting to bench redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Lewis and open the door for a new starter under center. Reports from ESPN and CBS Sports point to junior Isaac Wilson as the expected choice against Texas Tech, even though Sanders has not publicly confirmed the move.
The switch has quickly turned into more than a one-game adjustment, because it puts Lewiss standing with the Buffaloes in a different light. With his future now a real talking point, the next stretch could tell a lot about how Colorado wants to handle the position and whether Lewis remains part of that plan. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado's Defensive Line Faces A Growing Problem Before Texas Tech
Dante Carter is navigating his first season as Colorados defensive line coach after being promoted from graduate assistant, and the position group has already given the Buffaloes a mixed bag. The front has been solid against the run in recent games, but the consistency has come and gone, especially when games drift into the fourth quarter. As Texas Tech approaches, the emphasis has shifted to tightening up that area while also getting more pressure on the quarterback.
Fresh legs have become part of the plan, with several players rotating through the line to help keep the group from wearing down late. The challenge now is finding a way to turn that rotation into sustained production, because the Buffaloes know they will need both firmer run defense and a more reliable pass rush to handle the next test. [Read more 🡒]