Ducks in the hot seat
The Oregon Ducks are officially in their 'back against the wall' era. After starting the season ranked No. 2, the team just dropped out of the AP poll following a tough loss to UCLA. With a 3-2 record, the vibes are off, and Coach Dan Lanning isn't holding back on the need for change.
The QB situation
Star quarterback Dante Moore is confirmed out for Saturday's matchup against Nebraska. This leaves the starting spot totally up in the air. Dylan Raiola, who stepped in for Moore earlier, struggled big time against the Bruins, throwing two picks and fumbling before getting pulled. Brock Thomas came in and almost fueled a comeback, throwing for 149 yards and a touchdown. Lanning is keeping his cards close to his chest, noting that "everything is being evaluated"—from personnel to the offensive line and even the defensive squad. Real talk, Lanning is in a tough spot balancing Raiola's potential and his previous success against USC with the urgent need to protect the ball.
Shaking up the staff
The plot thickens regarding who will be calling the plays this Saturday. While Lanning still has faith in first-year offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, he admitted the game-planning will be more collaborative moving forward. He wouldn't confirm if someone else is taking over the play sheet, but the change is clearly on the table. Nebraska knows Raiola well, so Lanning’s silence might just be a strategic move to keep them guessing.
Why it matters
At 3-2, the Ducks are one loss away from their season totally unraveling. With the College Football Playoff on the line, every single remaining game is a must-win. Lanning knows he needs to figure out this quarterback and play-calling chemistry ASAP or it’s an L for the whole season.
