After dropping a statement W over No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes, Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks steamrolled Minnesota Golden Gophers 42-13. Sure, there were a few “yikes” moments. Like, for instance, Dante Moore’s razor-thin TD toss to Jeremiah McClellan. But Lanning wasn’t sweating it. He doubled down with a big-time, chest-out statement on how mighty the Ducks are as a unit. 

On November 14, Oregon Ducks beat reporter Zachary Neel quoted Lanning. “We’re a physical football team. I don’t think that’s any secret,” said the head coach in the post-game presser. The play that invited controversy came in the second half. The Gophers opened the second half with a spark, as Drake Lindsey hit Javon Tracy for a 10-yard score. Lindsey wrapped up the night with 138 yards through the air. Lanning’s program answered right back. 

Moore dropped a 13-yard dart to McClellan, whose toe-tap TD held up on review, pushing the lead to 35-13. This takes us back to Lanning’s statement. Sure, the refs had to double-check it, but Lanning said the real story was the Ducks’ physical edge. That toe-tap TD wasn’t a fluke; it was built by an O-line that runs the show.

Even without injured WR Dakorien Moore, Lanning’s program is reloading. TE Kenyon Sadiq’s speed and versatility give the offense a fresh spark, and OT Alex Harkey’s return restores a crucial piece of the protection unit. Both come back at the perfect time for Oregon’s rhythm.

Before Friday’s action, the Ducks owned the No. 8 spot in the country at 8-1, while rolling to a 5-1 start in Year 2 of Big Ten play. Lanning’s offense sits near the top of every major category, flashing legit top-10 firepower. The Ducks rank ninth in scoring (38.7 PPG), sixth in rushing (239.7 YPG), and 13th in total offense (471.6 YPG). They’re also No. 2 nationally in plays of 20+ yards. The only blemish? A surprising No. 56 spot in red-zone efficiency at 86.5%. Talking about Lanning’s squad being physical?

Even Joel Klatt voted in favor of them. “You better buckle it up against Oregon because that’s one of the most physical teams and most line of scrimmage-based teams that we have in college football,” said the analyst on his podcast. This came 48 hours after Lanning’s boys smothered Iowa’s rushing attack to 2.3 yards per carry and pried loose two game-changing fumbles, one deep in the danger zone. Not just the offense.

Oregon entered Week 11 with elite marks. Third in total defense and first against the pass. Meanwhile, their quiet dominance at the line of scrimmage remains a hallmark of Lanning’s blueprint. However, even with so much talent, the Ducks fell prey to SEC favoritism.

Dan Lanning’s boys and the bias they faced

Ole Miss fattened up on Citadel with a 49-0 cupcake feast. But a day later, Lanning’s Oregon slogged through rain and grit to survive Iowa 18-16. However, when the rankings dropped, it was the Rebels who rose. It was heartbreak time in the Ducks camp. After all, the SEC win was the one that sparkled brightly and not the muddy wins. 

On the Cover 3 podcast, Tom Fornelli said, “If I don’t mention where they moved them, they only dropped Oregon one spot. But there are some that dropped them multiple spots for winning on the road against a top 20 team. Craig Stevenson, who moved Ole Miss up and then moved Oregon down from five to eight for winning.” Naturally, the Ducks fans felt betrayed. Now, think about it.

In a soaked fistfight at Kinnick, Moore couldn’t get rolling, finishing with 112 yards and a costly interception. But Atticus Sappington saved the day, burying a 39-yard clutch kick in the final three seconds, sending Lanning and his squad into a wild, heart-pounding frenzy.

Now, Oregon controls its ticket to the postseason by winning out. However, the matchup and destination depend on the chaos that unfolds in championship week. Still, the Ducks can tilt the scales their way as long as they keep leaning on the tough identity Dan Lanning won’t stop bragging about.