While the national narrative is all about the difficult adjustment of breaking in a new quarterback, the critics are missing the big story: Oregon's offensive line could boost this offense up to 88 miles an hour.
Today the Oregon football office announced that THREE of Oregon's offensive linemen were named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, center Iapani Laloulu, left tackle Isaiah World and guard Emmanuel Pregnon.
Pregnon and Laloulu didn't allow a sack in 2024. The 6-8, 309 World posted an 82.3 pass blocking grade.
Coupled with the other three experienced veterans in the Oregon line rotation, Texas State transfer Alex Harkey, 6-6, 330, reliable, versatile guards Matthew Bedford and Dave Iuli, this is a drive train that should move people off the ball. The Joe Moore Award is the big goal.
Beasts up front.
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) July 29, 2025
Iapani Laloulu, Emmanuel Pregnon and Isaiah World are all on the Outland Trophy preseason watch list. #GoDucks x @outlandtrophy pic.twitter.com/9WCGXJ1DlE
Wins naturally follow if a team can run the football and stop the run. In 2022 and 2023, the Ducks gave up five sacks each season, tops in college football. In 2024, that number ballooned to 21, including an embarrassing eight in the crushing loss at the Rose Bowl.
It's something to watch early in the season. The Ducks have four manageable games, Montana State, Oklahoma State, at Northwestern and Oregon State before the September 27 White Out showdown against Penn State in Happy Valley before 106,000 screaming fans.
By that point in the season this offensive line unit should establish itself as a unit that can drive the running game and protect the quarterback. Their cohesion and communication has to be on-point to withstand a hostile environment like Beaver Stadium, particularly because the PSU defense features a swarming pass rush.
Defensive tackle Zane Durant, edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton and linebacker Amare Campbell are three of the best players in the conference. Cornerback A.J. Harris is also one of the league's best.
PFF’s Preseason 1st Team All-Big Ten Defense⭐️ pic.twitter.com/jSPkcQV89N
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 28, 2025
That's looking ahead, but the best way Oregon offensive line can prepare for that game is by gelling early. Last season they stumbled over the first two weeks, averaging less than three yards a carry on the ground.
The offense as a whole dipped a bit in 2024, dropping from 44.2 points a game to 34.9 while employing a slower pace and struggling early. That number also reflected the move to the Big Ten, a more physical, defensive-minded conference. Though Dillon Gabriel made it to New York as a Heisman Finalist, he wasn't as effective as Bo Nix in improvising or calling audibles.
It's a different mix this year with a new quarterback and questions at receiver. The Ducks may have to lean on the offensive line a bit more, particularly early in the year.
Laloulu dropped a bit of a shocker at Oregon Media Day. He said his personal goal is to follow in the footsteps of Jackson Powers-Johnson, win the Rimington Award as the nation's best center and depart for the NFL.
"My goal is to not come back after the season," he said. If he wins the Rimington, chances are the Ducks have had a very good year. It all starts with a cohesive offensive line.