Ratings, rankings and lists: Five signs this Oregon team could shock the Big 10 again

The first thing Big Ten fans say about Oregon going into 2025 is "they lost a lot," referring to the 10 players the Ducks sent to the NFL draft, coupled with another 13 who earned tryouts as undrafted free agents.

Thing is, they gained a lot too. Oregon signed the No. 5 recruiting class and the No. 5 portal class in 2025. They've brought in three veteran starters on the offensive line, a big defensive tackle, the best safety in the portal and a 1,400-yard running back.

At wide receiver the team got a blow when news came out that Evan Stewart suffered an injury while training this summer, but with Dakorien Moore and Kenyon Sadiq igniting the passing attack, it should remain potent.

PFF says Oregon's Bryce Boettcher is the best returning linebacker in the Big Ten, by a wide margin.

Andy Staples ranks Dante Moore as the best of the Big Ten's young quarterbacks. Casual fans forget he was a five-star prospect coming out of Martin Luther King High School in Detroit.

He's had two seasons to mature and work on his game. In a quarterback-friendly offense behind a solid offensive line and a strong running game, he's going to excel in the quarterback stat that matters most, wins.

The anonymous Big Ten coach Athlon Sports interviewed for their college football preview magazine said about Moore, “They’re pretty hyped on the quarterback [Dante Moore], who they’ve had in the system for a season already, which is a huge advantage. This isn’t modifying your book for a guy you get out of the portal; it’s a talented, developed player who already knows your system. I think that will show early on this season.”

Anyone who doubts that the Ducks will be able to score points hasn't been watching the Will Stein offense. Phil Steele places every one of Oregon's five projected starters on the offensive line on his all-conference team, two on the first team.

The 2025 edition of the Law Firm is a solid group that understands the assignment. All five were here and healthy for spring ball and they will have trained together for eight full months by the time they take the field against Montana State.

College football analyst Cole Topham thinks Dan Lanning has a plan to make Dakorien Moore Oregon's next great wide receiver.

It's far-fetched to put him ahead of Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams or Jordan Tyson at this early stage of his career, but he does have explosive skills and elite body control, and he is electric after the catch.

The tandem of Boettcher and Dillon Thieneman should bring a new level of toughness, physicality and smarts to the Oregon defense.

In Makhi Hughes, Dillon Thieneman, Moore-to-Moore, Sadiq, World, Laloulu and Pregnon, Matayo Uiagalelei and Jahlil Florence, this lineup is stacked with playmakers, smart, solid football players.

One of the big challenges they'll face early is the White Out atmosphere at Penn State, the Zombie Nation pregame chant. It's impressive, but Dan Lanning thrives on getting his team ready for hostile environments, turning that energy around. He likes to say, "Pressure is a privilege."

It's a primetime night game on NBC, but what's more concerning than the pregame hype song is the talent the Nittany Lions have, the best roster James Franklin has fielded at Penn State.

This is a matchup of playoff teams with loaded rosters. The Ducks will have to build to that game and respond to the pressure to come away with a win in Happy Valley. Ten weeks out they are 4.5-point underdogs.

It's all hype and rankings until kickoff. The Ducks host Montana State in 46 days.

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