Analysts know who to call when they look for the latest updates about GOAT Nick Saban – his protégé, Kirby Smart. In an interview, the Georgia head coach said, “Whether it’s financial advice or football advice or trying to help the sport of college football, he certainly he’s been beneficial to a lot of coaches I know,” said Smart about Saban. But this time, Saban’s words of wisdom seem to extend to another budding coach.

The Oregon Ducks head coach, Dan Lanning, who draws $11 million annually in Eugene, will look forward to this weekend, ready to make an impression. On one hand, there’s Indiana, which offers more than a paper-chase opportunity to Autzen Stadium. Curt Cignetti’s boys are yet to taste a loss this season. And guess what? Lanning and his boys are on an unbeaten streak, too, making things more head-to-head. But after Saban’s heartwarming mention, Lanning got a significant boost to hit the pedal.

On October 10, Pat McAfee posted a clip of Saban’s interview on X. The former Alabama head coach started by discussing the game. Saban reminded Cignetti’s boys to keep safe from Lanning’s squad. “This game to me is if Indiana can’t get the snap count right and they get behind in the sticks that’s going to hurt them.” 

After that, while diving deep into the game discussions, Saban casually dropped his statement, “Well, if you get behind the sticks, then that running the ball stuff doesn’t work so well because you stay behind the sticks… I know how my boy Dan Lanning will try to play them.”

Meanwhile, Cignetti remains on edge, stressing that the Hoosiers’ offensive identity will be at stake if they keep falling into long-yardage situations. Because of this issue, they’ll have to rely more on passing, which they struggle with. Cut to Lanning.

More than a decade has passed since Lanning developed a bond with Saban. The former Alabama head coach hired him as an Alabama Crimson Tide graduate assistant in 2015. Smart and Lanning were in his corner then, and they clinched the National Championship. Getting a one-in-a-lifetime chance to be on Saban’s coaching roster, Lanning got exposed to Saban’s timeless philosophies, which was a bonus. So, who better knows the Oregon head coach in and out?

As a defensive-minded coach, Lanning will rely on the “split-safety” approach. Following his strategies, the Ducks will try to defend the Hoosiers with a lighter box and rely on sound tackling and gap integrity to stop the run. Now, will Lanning be able to make his old mentor proud?

Injury crisis tests Dan Lanning’s leadership

It looks like even if the Oregon head coach wants the universe to throw curveballs at him – the injuries. “They’ll all be down this week,” Lanning said a few days back. As per October 9th’s update, the questionable list features Daylen Austin, Kyler Kasper, Dorian Brew, and Brayden Platt. Lanning will miss out on his powerful trio – Dillon Gresham, Trey McNutt, and Evan Stewart, who sit on the “out” list.

The Oregon head coach must be missing his big weapon, the projected WR1, Stewart, the most. This summer came with an unpleasant surprise for Lanning and co. In June, Stewart tore his patellar tendon in his knee, derailing their plans. Even though they had their junior tight end, Kenuon Sadiq, to count on, nobody can replace being Lanning’s trustworthy weapon, other than his WR1. But here, the Oregon head coach saw a silver lining. On3’s Pete Nakos gave the latest update on Stewart’s injury status.

“Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart tore his patellar tendon in June, with recovery time ranging from three to 12 months, depending on the severity of the injury. Sources have told On3 that he is ahead of schedule on his recovery timeline,” reported Nakos. Besides his wish to run with a healthy team, Lanning might secretly be on a mission.

Dan Lanning’s rise has even caught the attention of former Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal. On The Bald Faced Truth podcast, host John Canzano could not help but raise Lanning to a pedestal. “I look at Oregon and Dan Lanning, and I see like Oregon figured something out,” said the host. After all, in Oregon’s history, Lanning leaves a mark as the Recruiting King. That’s when Cristobal dampened his successor’s hype.

“Oregon was always doing great before myself, and anyone else ever got there, and Oregon is doing great now. And again, I don’t ever think the guys that came before myself, I should say, ever got enough credit,” came the Miami head coach’s sharp jab. Well, it’s Dan Lanning’s turn to show Mario Cristobal, who built the Eugene house.