Oregon ranks 68th in Red Zone conversions this season; Indiana ranks 17th. The Ducks are 27th in converting third down at 45.7 percent while Indiana is No. 1, moving the chains 56.5 percent of the time.
In 2026, the Ducks will have some new weapons at the goal line and on third down.
To win Friday, the Dante Moore, Will Stein and the Ducks will have to perform above their season averages. Though it won't help in the Peach Bowl, some of the 2026 recruits are already enrolled in school and working out with the team per NCAA rules.
In photos taken during and after practice, new tight end Kendre Harrison towers over Jamari Johnson and Kenyon Sadiq at 6-7, 243. Wide receiver Gatlin Bair, a five-star recruit from the class of 2024, joined the team as well, a 10.15 sprinter in the 100 meters.
Bair, Harrison represent an upgrade in size and speed
Bair looks bigger and more filled out than his listed 6-2, 195, with the frame to be a big receiver in the mold of Indiana's Elijah Surratt or Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith. On Day One he's already one of the fastest players in college football, someone defensive backs will have to give cushion to in most situations.
Five-stars Gatlin Bair, Kendre Harrison highlight group of early enrollee Oregon practice participantshttps://t.co/7yf7INUp0a pic.twitter.com/uZeq1ilScc
— Erik Skopil (@Erik_Skopil) January 5, 2026
They can't play Friday at the Peach Bowl, but the upgrade in size and speed could help the Ducks next season, particularly in those critical areas where they need to improve their productivity, especially if their new offensive coordinator calls plays to take advantage of their size and speed.
Dan Lanning and the coaching staff showed an increased willingness to give freshmen prominent roles in the two-deep, with Dakorien Moore, Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill pushing the offense forward. Harrison and Bair represent another infusion of exceptional talent, while Xavier Lherisse looks like he could tackle a pickup truck.