Pro Football Focus ranks Oregon as one of the Top Ten defenses in the country going into 2025.
Oregon comes in at No. 7, ahead of Ohio State and two spots behind Penn State in the power ratings. Alabama is No. 1.
Top 10 Defenses in College Football💪 pic.twitter.com/O5VWuDtHJF
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Oregon was No. 16 in scoring defense last season, giving up 19.4 points a game, 36th in yards per play defense at 5.14. The defense slumped badly against elite opponents, however, giving up 523 yards to Penn State in the Big Ten Championship Game and a quick 500 to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.
In December and January Oregon ranked 79th, fifth from last in opponent's long scrimmage plays, giving up 15 plays of 20 yards or more in the league championship and the playoff quarterfinal.
The plan wasn't working, though from PFF's rating, it appears the Ducks have upgraded their talent level on defense with the addition of Bear Alexander, Dillon Thieneman, Theran Johnson and Jadon Canady, plus their recruiting haul.
Trouble is, they still have Tosh Lupoi in charge of that defense. In the big games at the end of the year, he appeared to be outschemed. Will Dan Lanning take a larger role in defensive planning and play-calling? Can Lupoi's self-scouting make him more effective?
There's reasonable confidence Oregon can win eight or nine games on talent alone, but in the big tests like road trips to Penn State and Iowa or clashes with potent offenses like Indiana, USC and Washington, the plan has to put players in the right place and create disruption.
It's a challenge too that the Ducks have to replace Jordan Burch, Derrick Harmon, Jamaree Caldwell, Jeffrey Bassa and Jabbar Muhammad from the 2024 defense, though there appears to be enough talent for an upgrade. One crucial advantage is that this edition of the defense has a leader and a playmaker at all three levels in Matayo Uiagalelei, Bryce Boettcher and Thieneman.
At spring practice Lupoi said, "We've got a talented group again, and I'm thankful to be here and be coaching them, so I would imagine that the fans are getting fired up to see some of that talent. Let it rip."