Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is back on the practice field this week, a major positive turn after his concussion against USC on Sept. 26, but his potential return for Saturday’s massive showdown with unbeaten and No. 21 UCLA is turning into a full-blown dilemma for the Ducks’ coaching staff.
Dante Moore’s Recovery Rollercoaster
Dude, remember that brutal hit Dante Moore took against USC back on Sept. 26? The one where he slid, gave himself up in the second quarter, and USC linebacker Desman Stephens II still blasted him to the helmet, earning himself a suspension? Yeah, that one. Well, Moore’s actually back at practice now, which is huge! He’s even cleared the fourth of five stages in the NCAA’s concussion protocol. But don’t get too hyped for a quick return, because Oregon coach Dan Lanning is playing it super safe, talking about an “abundance of caution” and saying there’s “no timetable” for him to be back on the field for real. He even said it again after Monday’s practice, emphasizing they’ll “do what’s best for Dante moving forward” and it was “great to see him back out there with his teammates getting to work today.” Smart move by Lanning, you gotta protect these guys.
The Raiola Factor and Oregon’s Playoff Pressure Cooker
Here’s where it gets wild: If Moore can’t go against the Bruins, we’re talking about offseason Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola making his *first* start. This dude came off the bench against USC and flat-out led them to a win, tossing up four touchdown drives in the second half, with a couple of decisive scores in the fourth quarter to break it open on the road! Lanning sounds pumped about him, saying he’s “so proud of him” and that Raiola is a guy who “prepared for his opportunity” instead of just waiting for it.
Now, if Oregon was still unbeaten, maybe this decision is easy, right? Ease Moore back, let Raiola keep proving himself. But they’ve got one loss, and a second loss to an unbeaten and No. 21 UCLA this weekend would totally cloud their conference championship hopes and pretty much slam them into “must-win” mode for the College Football Playoff. They’re projected to snag a spot in the 12-team bracket, but imagine facing Ohio State and Washington *after* dropping a game to UCLA. And it doesn’t get easier: they’ve got a home game with 5-0 Nebraska next week (who plays #7 Indiana this weekend, by the way!), plus Northwestern and Michigan lurking later on the schedule, games they’re favored to win, sure, but could absolutely give them trouble. The Big Ten’s injury report, which drops Wednesday evening with daily updates, is gonna be key here for Moore’s status.
So, will Moore actually play, or will Raiola get the nod for his first career start in a monster game? This ain’t just about one game, this is about keeping those CFP dreams alive. Keep an eye on that Big Ten injury report because Saturday’s showdown with UCLA is gonna be epic no matter who’s under center, and the season absolutely hangs in the balance!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply