The Oregon Ducks are drawing heavyweight treatment before the season even gets rolling, and the latest Coaches Poll chatter has them sitting right behind Ohio State at No. 2. That puts Oregon in a spot where the conversation isn’t just about being good - it’s about being one of the first teams everybody circles.
Nick Kosko’s recent take on the Ducks framed the moment plainly: "Is it now or never for Oregon? It seems so and the Coaches Poll rankings agree with that sentiment. QB Dante Moore elected to return rather than go to the NFL Draft and Dan Lanning fine tuned a loaded roster.
WR Evan Stewart is healthy, as well as young star Dakorien Moore, giving Oregon an elite pass catching duo. On the flip side, Bear Alexander and Matayo Uiagalelei are a fearsome pairing on the defensive line. They could be one of the Big Ten’s best."
That’s the core of why Oregon is getting so much buzz. There’s a legitimate case that the Ducks don’t have a weak side of the ball.
Dante Moore gives them a star under center, while Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore give the passing game real firepower. On the other side, Bear Alexander and Matayo Uiagalelei headline a defensive front that sounds built to wreck game plans.
For Oregon, that balance is the story. This isn’t just a team with one obvious strength carrying the rest.
It looks like a complete roster, and that’s exactly why the Ducks are being discussed as an early favorite. Dan Lanning has the pieces in place to chase a Big Ten title, and the league’s other contenders - USC included - are the ones who have to figure out how to slow them down.
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Michigan is also firmly in the mix, helped by Stokes relationship with defensive line coach Lewis Powell, and the recruiting picture is still very much in motion. Stokes has not made a decision and plans to keep working through his junior year before he commits, which means USC has time to keep building on its early momentum while trying to stay in the conversation as the race develops. [Read more 🡒]
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USC Offensive Line Suddenly Has One Crucial Camp Question
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Kilian OConnors season-ending non-contact injury and subsequent surgery changed the conversation quickly, and Tobias Raymond has emerged as the player most likely to step into the opening at center. The rest of the front still looks largely intact, but camp now carries a bit more intrigue than expected, with competition for backups and any late movement among the starters worth watching as August unfolds. [Read more 🡒]