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Dante Moore steps into the spotlight at Oregon this season. Dan Lanning’s new QB1 has had a better run to lead the offense than his predecessors, Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel. Better not in terms of experiences. The other two came with 50+ starts each, but more time in the system. Backing up Gabriel last year gave Moore additional time to figure out Will Stein’s offense, and it’s bearing fruit. Yet with all this hype comes a looming ultimatum.

On3’s J.D. PicKell has already made it clear in the August 29 episode of his show that the season opener against Montana State is Dante Moore’s proving ground. “With Dante Moore, I want to see [the] ball out quick,” PicKell said. “See them in rhythm, see him play with great tempo. And if you play with tempo and rhythm by nature of the system and the skill set that these receivers have, you should score a lot of points. And if you can do that against Montana State, I feel better about the Penn State game. Feel better about the Oklahoma State game. Just create some confidence, create a good vibe early on for the fan base.” 

The combo explained by PicKell is the secret sauce that will unlock the full potential of Oregon’s offense and set the tone for what fans hope is a dominant 2025 campaign. Moore is no stranger to understanding his playbook and the offensive system. He has spent two fall camps and two springs fully immersed in Oregon’s offense under Stein. That means the signals, the formations, and the reads should feel predictable and second nature by now.

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But the Oregon Ducks receiver corps’ rhythm has been a delicate balancing act filled with both challenges and hope. Firstly, Evan Stewart’s looming knee injury has sidelined him for a significant portion of the season, delivering a tough blow to the Ducks’ passing game. That leaves Oregon in a bit of a scramble. Now they have to rely heavily on lesser-known transfers and fresh faces. Among these newcomers is Dakorien Moore, a true freshman five-star wide receiver with sky-high expectations. He had an impressive track record of 4,113 receiving yards and 48 touchdowns in high school.

What makes the situation more promising is the budding chemistry between Dakorien Moore and starting quarterback Dante Moore. It’s dubbed as the “Moore to Moore” connection. Finally, the confidence factor cannot be overstated. Against Montana State, Moore has a prime opportunity to set the tone early. This FCS opponent, while tough and well-coached, simply doesn’t match the talent level Oregon faces later in the season.

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Is Oregon’s national title dream on the brink of breaking?

Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks enter the 2025 college football season with high hopes and big dreams of national glory. But the path to the College Football Playoff title is anything but smooth. National analyst Josh Pate pointed out a major roadblock for the Ducks. The Alabama Crimson Tide. Pate acknowledges that Oregon now boasts its best talent collection yet, mixing top recruits and seasoned transfers, but warns that despite this, questions still linger about chemistry and execution.

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Evan Stewart’s injury further complicates the Ducks’ chances. Pate’s prediction? Oregon will make a deep postseason run, possibly defeating storied programs like Clemson and Penn State to reach the national championship game. But when it comes to the title itself, he leans heavily toward Alabama prevailing. Alabama comes into 2025 with a defense loaded with NFL-level players, capable of suffocating offenses and wearing down opponents through relentless pressure.

Coach Kalen DeBoer’s squad boasts both top-tier talent and depth. And especially in their secondary and front seven, posing a significant challenge to Oregon’s explosive offensive weapons. While Alabama experienced some offensive struggles last year, marked by penalties and inconsistent run-game production, its revamped staff under offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb looks poised to fix those issues with a more balanced and efficient attack.

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