Oregon football is reeling, man. After getting absolutely smacked by UCLA last Saturday, the Ducks plunged out of the AP poll entirely, falling from their No. 2 perch like a lead balloon. And now, head coach Dan Lanning is throwing the entire offensive playbook, and potentially the QB depth chart, into question after a performance that had everyone shaking their heads.
The Collapse Against UCLA and a QB in Limbo
Their second loss of the season has Lanning admitting that “everything is being evaluated” on the offensive side of the ball, from personnel to staff structure. But don’t expect him to spill the beans before they hit the field Saturday against Nebraska, even with the quarterback situation. The big question mark is Dante Moore, the starter who got concussed against USC. If Moore stays sidelined, it’s an open competition this week between Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas.
And let’s be real, Raiola had an absolute nightmare against UCLA. The dude, who transferred in from Nebraska and actually led the Ducks to a win at USC in Moore’s place, completed just 6 of 19 passes for a measly 43 yards. He coughed up two interceptions and lost a fumble. Yikes. They pulled him in the second half, and in stepped Brock Thomas, who almost pulled off a miracle comeback, throwing for 149 yards and a touchdown. They fell short on a controversial two-point conversion, but Thomas definitely made his case. Lanning also mentioned that it’s not just the quarterback spot, but offensive line and some defensive spots are seeing open competition too.
Lanning’s Tightrope Walk: Protect the Ball or Protect the Player?
Lanning’s walking a tightrope right now, trying to figure out what to do under center if Moore can’t go. He told reporters that “[Saturday’s performance] all plays into effect, and the body of work this week all plays into effect.” When asked why he didn’t make the change sooner during the game, Lanning admitted, “I think that’s fair. On the same note, I think some of the positions we put [Raiola] in weren’t successful opportunities as well.” He even pointed out that they made adjustments to get the ball out quicker for Thomas, which helped him out.
But here’s the kicker, the line that tells you everything you need to know: “But you have to be able to protect the ball, that’s a part of it.” While Lanning also acknowledged Raiola played well against USC and he’s trying to protect the young QB’s confidence for later in the season, that “protect the ball” mandate sure sounds like Thomas has the edge. This team started as a national title favorite, man, and now they’re being called college football’s biggest disappointment.
This Saturday, Oregon faces Nebraska, a game that’s being called a must-win. Can Lanning spark a turnaround, or is this season spiraling? You know every snap, every decision, will be under the microscope.
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.
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