Oregon football: Why Ducks are Big Ten favorites now that Dan Lanning has returned

Oregon’s retention of Dan Lanning elevates them to the top of the Big Ten standings.

The 2024 Oregon football team is prepared to make a huge impact in their new conference, the Big Ten, which is headquartered in the Northeast. The return of head coach Dan Lanning has fueled this sense of hope. Whether or not he was truly given the Alabama job, which finally went to former Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer, Lanning’s decision speaks volumes about his dedication to the Ducks football program and the ambitious vision he has for Oregon.

As the Ducks prepare for their Big Ten debut, it’s impossible to dismiss Lanning’s influence in developing Oregon football into a great program. The return of key players from the previous season, such as wide receiver Tez Johnson, tight end Terrance Ferguson, and offensive line pieces, combined with Lanning’s strategic recruiting and savvy use of the transfer portal, positions the Ducks as serious Big Ten title contenders.

Dan Lanning maintains his recruiting vigour.

Since his arrival in Eugene last season, Lanning’s recruiting abilities have been nothing short of outstanding. He has regularly brought in top-tier talent to Oregon, including the 13th-ranked recruiting class last season and the 9th-ranked recruiting class this season (per 247Sports). The addition of new faces, along with the retention of a competitive roster from last year, sets the scenario for Oregon to make waves in their new conference home, potentially upsetting its neighbors.

Dan Lanning’s use of the transfer portal continues to improve the program.

However, Lanning’s success in the transfer portal has been a major changer for Oregon, which Ducks fans hope will catapult them to a playoff berth in 2024. The signing of former UCF and Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who threw for 3,660 yards, 30 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 2023 while at UCF, demonstrates Lanning’s dedication to strengthening the team’s offensive potency. Furthermore, the addition of Dante Moore from UCLA, who had committed to the Ducks during the last recruiting cycle, offers depth to the quarterback room and demonstrates Lanning’s ability to attract top talent. However, former five-star Texas A&M wide receiver Evan Stewart was one of the portal’s top transfers.

Oregon football should be able to compete with the best in the Big Ten.

The transfer to the Big Ten, however, is not without its difficulties. Oregon, along with former Pac-12 teams USC, UCLA, and Washington, will have to adjust to a new conference landscape following the demise of their own. The heyday of the Big Ten’s three-headed monster, which included national champions Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State, is past, and a fresh new competitive atmosphere has emerged, with teams like Oregon football emerging as frontrunners.

Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Oregon’s schedule features tough opponents such as Michigan, Ohio State, and Washington, which has been a thorn in Lanning’s side since his arrival, defeating the Ducks in all three meetings. These games will be litmus tests for Lanning’s team, defining their place in the Big Ten hierarchy.

The Ducks’ main rival in the Big Ten will most likely be the always-dangerous Ohio State Buckeyes. This is especially true if Michigan continues to lose players to the NFL draft and Jim Harbaugh leaves for the league. Nonetheless, in their first season in the Big Ten, Oregon has a legitimate opportunity at winning the conference title and obtaining a coveted playoff place.