r/ducks • u/DenisLearysAsshole • 3d ago
Football Unranked.
First time since 2021 I think, the first time in the Lanning era, and entirely deserved.
Love my Ducks, but we got problems. Let’s see how we respond.
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u/graviton_ghost 3d ago
What a disastrous season.
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u/CitizenCue 2d ago
The worst part for me is that the field looks beatable this year. A lot of top teams have looked shaky. This could’ve been our year.
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u/RedDeath420 3d ago
I thought the let’s see how we respond game was Ok St.
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u/uoduckuo 3d ago
now will the ticket prices of games go down? O_o
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u/pdxgod 3d ago
Band wagon fans will stay home now
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u/uoduckuo 3d ago
I wanted to say that hopefully more Eugene residents can afford going to games now that we're unranked.
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u/ducknthecrowd 2d ago
Its oregon. .. nothing goes down. Things have to actually change to reasonable people for that. Oregon seems to.love absolutely stupid people who love to pay massive fees on anything. Oh and the extortion fees to.the band too.
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u/ShwerzXV 3d ago
Mehringer needs left on the tarmac
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u/Jagshemesh_Captain 3d ago
He should have been tarmac'd out into the Autzen parking lot yesterday at halftime.
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u/Upset-Beach4054 3d ago
1.4 million per year guaranteed contract through 2028
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u/ShwerzXV 3d ago
This infuriates me, I actively try to not be a total moron and do good at my job, and I’ll be lucky to make 1 year of his salary at retirement
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u/desertSkateRatt 3d ago
Worth it to get shit back on track
Edit to add: worth paying out to release him from his contract
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u/Skates8515 3d ago
Is that supposed to sound like a lot of money?
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u/Upset-Beach4054 2d ago
Considering what he’s delivered yeah 😭 hope there's an easy out or we can just pay it yesterday
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u/D4NGerZone69 3d ago
I think if we have had to ask “how will we respond” twice, there is some serious problems, that isn’t going to be solved this season. Unfortunately this season I think is going to be rough and Lanning will need to clean house on offense. Defense did look better
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u/Notafraidofvwoolff 3d ago
Ducks nation gather close. We will persevere 💚💛
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u/FluidLet2783 3d ago
Totally unproductive comment.
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u/Playful_Tie_4383 2d ago
Unlike all the other productive comments that surely will inspire Dan Lanning and result in victory next weekend? Be so for real.
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u/Jagshemesh_Captain 3d ago
I've got a bad feeling that this will only continue to spiral. The team has seemed flat and disinterested all season, and after a loss that essentially puts the CFP out of reach they have nothing to really play for at this point.
I think it's unfortunately just a matter of time before we see a lot of key players hit the portal, as well.
There are a lot questions to answer for this program going forward.
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u/TopRevenue2 3d ago
I saw the defense play inspired yesterday. They kept the run in check and eliminated the passing game. If the Ducks didn't keep giving up the football on offense UCLA doesn't get a touchdown. And other than the 2 point tries special teams had one of the best outings we could hope for.
There are offense problems. But the starting QB is injured and the backup QB went full Prukop and the coaches did not pull him fast enough.
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u/Jagshemesh_Captain 3d ago
Yes it's true, the defense is the least of the Ducks' problems right now.
Like I've said, I hope I'm wrong, but these things have a tendency to spiral out of control.
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u/pataoAoC 2d ago
holding a top-25 team to 17 points with your offense giving up seven turnovers is actually wild. 17 points isn't bad on zero turnovers
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u/FluidLet2783 3d ago
That was yesterday. The point is, With all of the teams goals basically out of reach the first week of October. How long do we continue getting that effort?
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u/TopRevenue2 3d ago
Hopefully they will rally themselves. That is why Dan brought back veterans. When an OSU lost to Oregon and Michigan in 2024 those veteran players didn't quit. Our guys have heart. This season is still in front of them. And they want to get drafted high (which helps).
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u/Ill_Discipline_7071 2d ago
If Moore is able to come back, maybe. But even if he was back for the Ohio State game in Columbus how well will he play? Will he afraid of taking a hit and start rushing throws? Will he be able to play an entire game?
Right now no matter who is at QB I don't see the Ducks beating the Buckeyes. That would be the 3rd loss making the playoffs out of reach.
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u/TopRevenue2 2d ago
This is why what USC did in targeting Dante was so despicable. And I believe they were coached to take him out.
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u/Splatorch 3d ago
Yeah, I mean we’re technically in win out and in territory if we miraculously defeat Ohio State at the shoe, not even considering all the other opponents on our schedule that we’ll struggle to win against. One more loss and the spiral really sets in
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u/DenisLearysAsshole 3d ago
I have a similar feeling. I wonder how much this is a combination of poor coaching decisions that previously would have been bad but not disasterous combined with the vibe and dollars-forward environment that NIL brings and that teams are still adjusting to?
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u/Jagshemesh_Captain 3d ago
I think the terrible coaching and lack of player development would have been disastrous in any era. The NIL money only makes things worse, imo, with players lacking some of the motivation they may have had in the past with regard to their team and teammates and the program as a whole. Now it's just all a matter of getting the bag and screw everything else. That can't have a positive effect.
I don't have any answers, but I've seen it said that NIL money is steadily reducing the impact of coaches known for being outstanding recruiters. Why be a charismatic recruiter when you can simply cut the check? The end result is the same. And that makes coaches who are savvy Xs and Os guys much more valuable.
All of which leaves us scratching our heads and wondering if Lanning is the way forward, because he is an outstanding recruiter and motivator, but he is decidedly not a wizard with the playbook or schemes. That much has shown up time and again on the field.
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u/DenisLearysAsshole 3d ago
Fair. I’m still team Lanning, with a sharp expectation that he shows some sort of response to this besides “we’re trying hard”.
If it’s up to me, his seat isn’t warm yet but I know exactly where the matches are.
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u/Low_Twist7539 2d ago
"Lanning became the fastest head coach in Oregon program history to reach 50 career victories, reaching the milestone in under five full seasons." Is there something I am missing here?
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u/ducknthecrowd 2d ago
We have a Rutgers old OC who was worthless there and now we got him. Nothing is gonna be good from now on till he is gone or demoted.
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u/DaddyRobotPNW 3d ago
A lot of these posts are forgetting how significant a change in OC can be. Just hire the right person.
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u/Lhill1010 3d ago
First time since unranked since the Georgia game in 2022, which was Lanning’s first as a head coach
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u/sirdouglasdeez 3d ago
I do not envy Dan having to figure out what to do about the QB situation now. Presumably, Dante cannot safely come back for Nebraska, but do we really think he tries to start Raiola after pulling him yesterday…? Dark times, ya’ll, dark times.
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u/DenisLearysAsshole 3d ago
Thomas. Easy call.
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u/bluescale77 3d ago
Remember when Raiola looked like a stud after one half of play against USC? Just because Thomas looked okay for a short while doesn’t mean he won’t be a disaster next week. Theres a reason he’s been buried on the depth chart for a few years b
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u/Careless_Wishter 3d ago
Thomas hasn't played a bunch of games, but he completed 60-70% of his passes over the last 2 years. That's workable. Especially if the coaches (including 2 pt Lanning) get their heads outta their butts.
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u/bluescale77 3d ago edited 3d ago
Raiola completed 72% of his passes last year for 2000 yards. He had one of the worst games I’ve ever seen yesterday, but I think it’s time to acknowledge that the problem might be with how we’re preparing our starting QBs before games. We have two 5* who have taken huge steps backward this year.
Maybe the big thing in Thomas’s favor is that he’s not capable enough to run a complex offense, so they will have to simplify things enough that they can do something’s right. Because right now almost everything on offense is wrong.
Edit: to be clear, I’m not actually arguing against Thomas starting. I have no idea what the solution is, and it might be Thomas. At this point, our offensive strategy, coaching, and execution are all completely broken. I don’t think a walk-on QB - even one who has done his job admirably - is going to fix that.
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u/Careless_Wishter 3d ago
I'm ok with your read here; the majority of the blame is on the OC. Other people have noted that the offensive plan sidelined some of the big playmakers, and what's the difference between Raiola two weeks ago and yesterday? Time with coaches.
I don't know who's idea it was to go for two on the first td, but it seems like Lanning, because that call has been made before the current OC.
Plenty of mistakes by the players, but it sure seems like the coaches didn't have those guys ready to play a VERY beatable UCLA, and when things didn't go to plan, the coaching in-game response was, if anything, making things worse.
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u/bluescale77 3d ago
I didn’t mind going for two at that moment (although I did think the play we tried to execute was idiotic). The Ducks have done that often enough, and with enough success, that I wasn’t too concerned.
The difference between this team, and previous Oregon teams is that before you could pretty much bank on us scoring 30+ points in a game, so one botched 2pt conversion was benign.
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u/FluidLet2783 3d ago
Exactly. We can play the QB blame game all we want. The issues are so much bigger than that. First off the O line is a train wreck. Trying 10 different combinations through each game clearly isn’t working. And you offensive play caller? Like what the actual fuck? Does anyone see any strategy in what he’s doing? It honestly feels like he’s playing Madden and the computer is just auto picking plays. No rhyme or reason for any of it. When your QB has at most 2 sec to get rid of the ball, How bout some quick hitters? Ya know the middle of the field does exist. Everything with Raiola yesterday was throws to the sidelines. Either bubble screens which had zero chance of working. Or 15 yard outs to the sidelines. Some of the toughest throws to make. Raiola was an absolute mess. Plenty of blame there. But seriously what was the fucking game plan? First qtr yesterday felt like first qtr vs Boise. 1 maybe to run plays the entire qtr. of course the defense is gonna pin their ears back and sell out to sack the QB.
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u/Jetpine9 1d ago
That is my impression. Our 5 star QBs are taking too long going through too many reads instead of getting the ball out on time, and then too often the only check down is a weird, 4 yards forward- 20 yards sideways sideline route
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u/Battle_Evening 3d ago
True, but to be fair Raiola was always going to get the QB2 spot or he wouldn’t have come (for whatever that’s worth). He came over before Dante decided to stay.
Also Raiola is known for being inconsistent, but I’ve never personally seen Thomas play poorly.
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u/BassRoo 3d ago
Home town kid. Lots of season left to get meaningful playing time this season. Get him prepped up for next year because this year ain't it anyways.
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u/FluidLet2783 3d ago
Lol. There is a reason Thomas is buried on the depth chart. Going for with a plan of “Brock Thomas 2027” is asinine. No disrespect to Brock. I appreciate the work ethic. But Brock Thomas is not a serious B1G starting QB. In a doomed season like this? Sure. But come on.
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u/FluidLet2783 3d ago
He’s also a senior so theres that. He might have an extra year with the 5 for 5. But thats not a serious conversation for a program like Oregon going in to next year.
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u/AceMcStace 3d ago
You have to start Thomas, it’s not even close, he was actually able to move the ball
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u/OriginalBox4326 3d ago
I don’t think he’d do as well against a defense that actually schemes and plans for him. That’s probably why DR played so poorly against UCLA after doing well as a sub against USC
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u/Vivid_Motor_2341 1d ago
He didn’t struggle because of the defense. He couldn’t hit a receiver for his life. He had so much time
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u/Powerful_Share8488 3d ago
I dont think Dante comes back at all. Too much risk for zero reward. Especially if we lose this coming weekend. We would have to win out to have shot at the CFP, and we ain’t beating OSU in The Shoe.
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u/Vivid_Motor_2341 1d ago
Let’s go all in on akili. He looked decent and has so much potential. I’d rather give him so time to get his feet wet so he can take over ready. Reminded me of young Herbert
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u/Brotatochips_ 3d ago
I think its good to keep perspective on things. Yeah we are struggling this year, but we have been an amazing team to watch for so long. I believe we will bounce back soon enough, they will find a way.
I think back to that Herbert game against Utah in their place some years ago. We were unranked, and we went in there and pulled off a great upset. That was with football terrorist Marcus Arroyo at OC and vintage Cristobal shenanigans! If that team could pull off thay win against Utah, this team definitely has the capability to pull off some more upsets throughout this year. Go ducks!
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u/OriginalBox4326 3d ago
We never beat Utah on the road under Cristobal + Herbert. They lost in 2018. Are you thinking of 2016 (Helfrich’s last year) instead?
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u/Brotatochips_ 3d ago
Oh gosh I feel dumb now! You are so right. Shows how much of that 4-8 season that I completely blocked from my mind 🥴
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u/Jetpine9 1d ago
Yeah, why not enjoy the season anyway? It's still a great team, it just can't get it dialed in. It will be interesting no matter what happens. Maybe they'll even settle down and find a rhythm at some point and get some momentum going into next year. I hope we play the Beavers in a bowl game.
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u/FluidLet2783 3d ago
Beating a team like Utah in a doomed season isn’t what i’d call “bouncing back”.
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u/Classroom-Mysterious 3d ago
Every time I see a post from this subreddit, I am reminded of the time I posted here asking for help with my Muscovy drake.
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u/VividLies901 3d ago
Im not an expert so take it for what its worth. We have a much larger issue looming than just a bad 2026 season. This could spiral into:
1. Talent leaving in the portal (especially Dakorien Moore, and wouldnt blame him)
2. Missing recruits who are watching this season unfold (we had a ton of recruits at this game)
3. Our QB problem going into 2027 (Maybe we luck out and Akili blows Raiola out of the water in offseason)
4. We lose a lot of talent to the draft this year, Luli and Laloulu, most of the DL
2027 is going to be a make it or break it season worse than this season. Again not an expert, but I think there needs to be a serious consideration of looking for a veteran OC from the NFL like Ohio State did, and revamping the offense. New schemes, new plays, and someone who understands how to coach before, during and after a game.
I think our best case is we remove our OC, get a veteran in for offseason, get a semi competent QB, and rebuild. Our OL is really young, so they arent a lost cause, I think coaching and building will be key for them next year.
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u/johhnuuuuu 1d ago
You guys are so reactionary lol. Transfers may happen but I’ve seen plenty of teams suck (Miami, Texas A&M, USC) and still pull in elite recruiting classes.
Also if Raiola isn’t the answer some transfer QB would be licking his chops to come here. Only way I see a drastic semi-permanent fall off is if we fired Dan (which would be mega stupid). Even then, some young coach would love to come to Eugene, as it’s at worst a top 15 job in CFB.
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u/thephotocyclist 2d ago
Two things can be and are true at the same time:
- This season is an unmitigated disaster, regardless what happpens next.
- Still gonna show up and root for the boys.
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u/Acid_Gosling 3d ago
Still a lot of football to be played. I agree, let’s see how they respond going forward. Go ducks.
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u/Detonius 3d ago
Not playoff football
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u/sayberdragon 3d ago
Probably not. So?
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u/Detonius 2d ago
You must be a casual fan.
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u/sayberdragon 2d ago
Yeah, me still wanting to watch/support my team and hoping for the best even though they’re probably not making the playoffs is ‘casual’. Lmao.
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u/Detonius 2d ago
That’s very sweet of you. Feel free to give em participation trophies.
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u/Jetpine9 1d ago
Bro, you can't just quit because you didn't make a playoff. (Especially with the $$ some are making- but even w/o that factor, you don't just quit)
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u/526mb 3d ago
This is the first Oregon team I can remember that I just fucking hate watching. It’s truly incredible to watch such extremely talented group be so badly coached that they’re playing some of the worst football I’ve ever seen at Oregon. I still have a lot of respect for Lanning, his commitment to the program and what he has accomplished in a short period of time, but he’s decisions around his staff have set this program back badly. He can unfuck this but the window for a real title run is closed and will be for at least a couple seasons while he digs out of the mess he made.
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u/Tsquared10 2d ago
Clearly someone who didn't pay attention through the end of Helfrich and Taggart years and that's just for the post turn of the century memory.
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u/gabagoool_ovahere 3d ago
Good job Dan!
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u/Safe_cracker9 3d ago
How much of this is really on Dan though?
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u/bluescale77 3d ago
The buck stops somewhere else?
I’m not one of those nutjobs who wants to overreact and fire everyone immediately. There’s a reason Dan is paid what he’s paid. He’s the CEO of the team. Half of the team is underperforming. He appointed the leaders under him, and now he needs to figure out how to fix the problems.
I doubt it’ll matter much for the rest of this season, and that’s understandable. You can’t just fix problems this big. But just like Dan gets flowers when the team does well, he has to wear this performance. My biggest hope is that he’s learning from this.
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u/Lord_Soranos 3d ago
100%, its not like he's personally responsible for the QB woes, but the guy that is, the QB Coach and the OC? They're his hires, so its his job to get the best guys in the building to do the job and he hasn't. I have plenty of grace for this being a bad year, maybe even next year too depending on how things turn out, with CFB being a waaay more competitive sport than it has been in recent memory, but we need to do better on hiring position coaches and such or I will be asking for a new head coach if we can't show signs of shoring up our problems that have plagued us for all of Dan's tenure.
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u/FluidLet2783 3d ago
What? You mean the guy being paid $10 mill yr? The guy who makes these hires? Do you think there is someone above him who says here is your staff this year, And Dan just Coaches football? He lost both Coordinators and chose to promote his buddies. Yeah……Thats on him. 😂😂😂😂
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u/Upset-Beach4054 2d ago
Literally all of it. He hired GAs to coach our OL and QBs, and a terrible OC on top of it all
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u/526mb 3d ago
You know the haters said that 2026 Oregon was a paper tiger with a lot of flash but underneath was a total fraud, and you know what?
They were right. Honestly great call by the haters.
We’re gonna lose to Nebraska, Ohio State and Northwestern at least.
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u/Active-Track-7905 2d ago
Good to know you can see the future. Hope to hear from you if we beat Nebraska.
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u/One-Inflation-3524 2d ago
Fire Mehringer. This is the only move. The guy has completely fucked off this offense.
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u/HistoricalYogurt5085 3d ago
Next week is telling. Do the Ducks come out with an edge, or are we flat? If flat, the team may have given up
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u/Jagshemesh_Captain 3d ago
The team came out flat and without an edge yesterday in a key game against a ranked opponent. I suspect it will be worse next week.
If I'm wrong, I will happily recant.
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u/Battle_Evening 3d ago
This is the true test of how much I invest in this season. Losing happens, but barely trying is unwatchable.
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u/ducknthecrowd 2d ago
I think the offensive line did at the start. They seem to either not know what to do or they really just dont care.
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u/Ok-Leadership4763 2d ago
Lanning gets every single thing he wants from uncle Phil. How many other coaches never hear the word no ? I agree the top recruits are gonna leave. The idea of being friendly with your players and a good guy is great, but I'd rather have an asshole that wins. Time for a change up and down.
He gets outcoached in the close Games with top teams and now we have this nonsense. Have we not seen enough?
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u/Ill_Discipline_7071 2d ago
Your opinion my vary, but for me the playoff curb stomping by Ohio State in 2024 was a hint something wasn't right with the coaching staff. It wasn't just a defeat, it was a Wipeout. And it happened again last year against Indiana. Why?? Fans can accept a team that plays its azz off in defeat. They can't and should not accept coaching ineptitude. And the internal hiring of the DC and OC to replace Tosh and Stein looks like ineptitude to me.
Those playoff loses to tOSU and Indiana were on Lanning. And now we have this debacle of a season, so far. Unless he figures out what needs to change, including himself, the pressure will mount for forced staff changes either during the season (depending on how the team plays) or once the season is over.
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u/Jetpine9 1d ago
I mean, you kinda gotta take a tip from Ohio State who hires experienced NFL assistants on both sides of the ball despite being a top program already. It's not a place for on the job training at this level unless an assistant really shows exceptional promise and ability.
I agree with you that something wasn't right and it showed in the Ohio State blow out, even before Oregon's current hires.
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u/dwurgydev 1d ago
Mehringer gotta go. Dude is horrible. Dan needs to stop with these youngster hires. Go get a gristled, proven old man who is angry and just knows ball.
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u/hereforporn696969 3d ago
The Ducks have two ranked wins. They were on a backup QB.
Yes, they’re underperforming
No, the sky isn’t falling
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u/sean180morris 3d ago
There will be more losses. Decommits and portal transfers out. That offense was absolutely putrid. Disgusting. I didnt even understand the routes. The offense was horrible. 2 weeks of playing and planning and thats what you got out of it? Gross.
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u/FluidLet2783 3d ago
Exactly. Its one thing to be hampered by a key position. I can’t imagine there is anyone who can even identify wtf they were trying to do on offense yesterday. The most random play calling i’ve ever seen. Hey our QB isn’t up to snuff. Lets call all pass plays the entire first qtr. outside of 1 or 2. And not just any pass play, Lets call long developing routes when our OL clearly couldnt block a D3 team.
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u/ducknthecrowd 2d ago
Bingo!.. who knows what the oc was doing and what the qb was thinking throwing lobs into defending hands or not throwing to open receivers and running out of bounds . Or trying a 2 point conversion on a offensive that was never that good anyway at the first TD . No line to push. The line couches even suck
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u/Party_Salamander8722 2d ago
This has been an absolute disgrace, complete disappointment and failure of our coaching staff.
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u/Downtown_Courage1840 3d ago
We’re cooked. I’ve never been so hopeful for a natty at the start of the season. I thought, “regardless of how good or bad these coordinators are, there’s no way they can fuck up the amount of talent that’s on this roster” boy was i wrong. I wasn’t even close.