Over the last two weeks, Oregon has gotten to see just how far the drop-off from Dante Moore to backup quarterbacks can be. The Ducks have seen Dylan Raiola get benched against UCLA for an abysmal performance for 3 quarters, and on Saturday Night Brock Thomas suffered the same fate against Nebraska.
Oregon is once again turning the page to the next game with no clear answer on who will start at quarterback. After how Dylan Raiola performed, he'd seemingly start next week if Dante Moore isn't available, but you also have to start asking if Oregon will get their potential Top 10 pick back at quarterback.
Dan Lanning's instant competition comment sparks more Moore concerns
On Saturday night, with emotions still running high following the wild win over Nebraska, Dan Lanning took the podium. When asked about the quarterback room heading into Illinois week, Lanning quickly stated that there would be another quarterback competition this week between Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas.
Dan Lanning says that that Brock Thomas and Dylan Raiola will continue to compete for who starts at QB next week.
— Matt Prehm (@MattPrehm) October 18, 2026
The coaching staff may already know who they're leaning toward starting, and it's always wise to keep your opponent guessing. Even if Oregon already knows they're going to start Dylan Raiola against the Illini, the quick look toward the battle next week has to be concerning.
Considering that Dan Lanning didn't even add the caveat that Moore could return, it seems like he's still a ways away from returning to the lineup. The concussion Dante Moore suffered against USC was severe, given the fencing pose he made and the fact that he was carted into an ambulance and taken to the hospital. It's always impossible to predict when a player might return from a concussion, and it only makes sense to be cautious.
With the way that Oregon's defense is playing as of late, the Ducks are starting to round into form, but the offense is making the margin for error incredibly thin. If Oregon can get Dante Moore back for the second half of the season, this team can salvage a season where the Ducks hoped to contend for a National Championship, but that requires Moore in the lineup.
Heading into the matchup with Illinois, Oregon should be able to win this game regardless of who's at quarterback. Bret Bielema's team has taken a step back this season, and with quarterback Katin Houser sidelined after surgery, both teams may be playing shorthanded. From that point on, the schedule only gets tougher to end the year.
Northwestern on Halloween will be a tough game with how David Braun's team is playing, and the Ducks will need to score points to keep up with Chip Kelly's offense. The following week, Oregon may be facing a backup quarterback against Ohio State with Julian Sayin's injury, and ideally you'd have Moore back to face that defense.
For now, Oregon is treading water until Dante Moore can return, but each week that he's not in the lineup, this team is vulnerable. November will decide this team's fate, and if the Ducks can start to get healthier, it would go a long way toward returning to contention.
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