Dan Lanning just pulled off a masterclass in postseason strategy - and he did it with a poker face. Oregon’s 51-34 win over James Madison wasn’t as close as the scoreboard suggests, and that’s exactly how Lanning wanted it.
From the opening kick, the Ducks controlled every phase of the game. They landed early jabs, mixed in explosive plays, and cruised to a comfortable lead that allowed them to empty the bench.
By the fourth quarter, Oregon was rolling out third- and fourth-stringers, while James Madison padded the box score with three late touchdowns that made the final margin look respectable. But make no mistake - this was a one-sided affair.
Lanning’s approach? Rope-a-dope with a twist.
He got the win, gave his starters a breather, and still walked into the locker room with a classic coaching card to play: “We didn’t finish.” It’s the kind of message that keeps a team sharp, even after a blowout.
At the same time, it sends just enough of a signal to future opponents - maybe this defense is beatable? Maybe Oregon’s not as dominant as the score suggests?
That’s the bait.
But don’t be fooled. Oregon’s offense racked up 44 of those 51 points before the backups even got settled in.
The Ducks didn’t just win - they dominated, and they did it without showing their full hand. James Madison was a tune-up, and Oregon treated it exactly like that.
Now comes the real test: Texas Tech. And in Lubbock, they’re licking their chops.
The noise is already building. “Texas Tech is going to make a mockery of Oregon,” said Drake Toll, host of the Locked on Big 12 podcast.
That’s the talk in Big 12 circles - that wins over BYU and Utah have prepped the Red Raiders to take down the No. 5 team in the nation, a team with arguably the best offensive line in college football.
That line - Poncho Laloulu, Emmanuel Pregnon, Alex Harkey, Dave Iuli, and Isaiah World - is going to be the key. If Oregon wants to punch their ticket to the next round, it starts in the trenches.
Texas Tech is coming off a 25-day layoff, and history tells us that matters. Last year, every team coming off a similar break trailed by at least two scores at halftime in the quarterfinals.
Rust is real, and Oregon has to take advantage of it early.
That means no slow starts. No cute playcalling.
No experimental rotations. This isn’t the time to play possum.
The Ducks need to come out swinging - fast, physical, and relentless. Texas Tech has enough firepower to rally if given the chance.
Oregon can’t afford to let them hang around.
If the Ducks jump out to a lead, they need to press the gas, not pump the brakes. The second round is no place for subtlety. It’s time to finish the fight.