Dan Lanning's Oregon Ducks look to continue their hot start to the 2025 season on Saturday, as they take on Oklahoma State. The game is scheduled for a 12:30 kickoff at a booming Autzen Stadium. A win for Oregon would extend their home non-conference winning streak to 36 games, the best in the nation. The last time Oregon lost a game of that variety was in September of 2008.
It is a featured matchup, airing on CBS with their first-team broadcasters, Gary Danielson, Brad Nessler, and Jenny Dell.
Though these are two notable programs in recent memory, they carry much different profiles entering this matchup. Though both are 1-0 coming off victories against FCS teams, the odds-makers and general public don't expect this one to be particularly close.
Oregon absolutely drubbed the #3 team in the FCS, Montana State, last Saturday. A team known for their dominant run game and stubborn defenses was essentially rendered useless against a dominant Duck team.
On the Cowboy side of things, they kept finding a way en route to a 27-7 victory over the UT Martin Skyhawks, who are not ranked in the FCS top 25.
The last time these two teams met was in the Holiday Bowl on December 30, 2008. The then-Mike Bellotti coached Ducks defeated the Cowboys 42-31, with Jeremiah Masoli winning game MVP. Back when bowl games really meant something.
Of course, this matchup cannot be discussed without mentioning the back-and-forth between Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy and Dan Lanning, regarding Oregon's fortunes in the name, image, and likeness department. Gundy suggested that Oregon play teams with similar NIL budgets, and made comments about Oregon QB Dante Moore.
Dan Lanning replied with a classic response: "Ultimately, how blessed are we being at a place that’s invested in winning? If you want to be a top-10 team in college football, you better be invested in winning and we spend to win. Some people save to have an excuse for why they don’t.”
Bulletin board material for Oregon. Now for some "rat poison:" Oregon enters the game at approximately a 28-point favorite.
There are no guarantees in college football, and toe must meet leather, and the game must play out in its full four quarters before we can really know about both teams and this game itself.
Here's what Dan Lanning, his staff, and players must do in order to secure what should be an easy "W" against Oklahoma State.
1) Get after the QB. Early and often.
Of course, this is a must to win any game, but for this one in particular, it is especially important. Why?
Oklahoma State will be starting a redshirt-freshman at QB, who has just 20 passing attempts in his career, all from last week against FCS UT Martin. That QB is Zane Flores, a former three-star recruit (per Rivals/On3) from Nebraska.
Flores was not the original starter for the Cowboys, as last week's starter, Hauss Hejny suffered a Jones fracture in his foot and underwent surgery.
In Flores' first FBS game action, placing him under duress should be a priority. Given the known commodities on Oregon's defensive front, they should have no issue getting home on a consistent basis with just four pass rushers. Add in blitzes from Oregon's fast, aggressive linebackers and defensive backs, and now you can create some serious problems.
Oregon had just three sacks last week against Montana State, two from Matayo Uiagalelei, and one from a promising freshman edge rusher in Nasir Wyatt.
One of the most dazzling features of the Lanning/Tosh Lupoi/Chris Hampton defense is the use of blitzes, simulated pressures, and coverage disguises. These are all incredibly difficult looks for a young quarterback to deal with, let alone a transfer-heavy offensive line who still need to gel.
Beyond the elite players and scheme that will be at play on Oregon's defense, the final nail in the proverbial coffin should be an electric home environment for the Ducks. Per capita, Autzen Stadium is the most raucus venue in the nation, and we know that the fans will bring their A-game for a power four non-conference game, though it doesn't matter who's on the field.
2) Dominate the time of possession. But....
Don't be afraid to take shots. The ground game was not only effective against Montana State, it was dominant. It all started with a long Noah Whittington rush down the right sideline, opened up on the second level by true freshman receiver Dakorien Moore, and continued throughout the game. Though the pre-conceived RB1 Makhi Hughes had just one carry, the blue-chip depth at RB showed out. From true freshman pair Dierre Hill and Jordon Davison, to Jayden Limar and Whittington, the RB room is ultra-deep and will be able to control the clock.
But again, don't be afraid to take shots downfield. Redshirt-sophomore QB Dante Moore showed off his impressive arm talent on throws to FSU transfer Malik Benson, who could be the recipient of some downfield action if last week is any indicator.
Though Oklahoma State's front-seven was effective in getting to the passer against UT Martin, Oregon has one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Keeping Moore upright should be no issue. Historically under Lanning, Oregon has protected the QB. Since 2022, they have allowed just 31 sacks, with 1431 pass attempts in that time. Two of the other teams in the top four? Triple option service academies Army and Air Force.
They'll need to stretch the field vertically in some capacity in order to open up the run game, but keeping it simple for Moore and using the ground game trump all else.
3) Let the talent gap show
Oklahoma State has a 3% blue chip ratio in the 2025 season. Oregon's is 67%. That could be the extent of the paragraph. It was obvious last week, but considering this is a power-four matchup, that is quite the difference in talent.
It can be exposed in a variety of ways, but it should be most evident in Oregon's defensive line against Oklahoma State's offensive line, and when Oregon's playmakers such as TE Kenyon Sadiq and WR Dakorien Moore get the ball in space.
Locked on Oklahoma State host Cody Stovall told Spencer McLaughlin of Locked on Ducks: "We're going to have to do some pretty cute stuff. We're going to have to do some things, offensively, that are FCS-esque: Double reverse, statue of liberty... I don't think we're going to be able to line up hat-on-hat, body-on-body, and get the best of Oregon's defensive line. That specific spot is the biggest concern."
Stovall also noted that Oklahoma State starting center Kasen Carpenter is injured and will miss the matchup in Autzen, and their backup right tackle will slide in to fill that role. Yet another reason for Duck fans to be confident.
The talent gap should be evident, and under Dan Lanning, it has been. In the Lanning era, Oregon is undefeated against unranked opponents, and have lost just one time at home. Elite stuff from the fourth-year head coach. His culture and winning mentality are now fully engrained in the program and the team is ready to roll heading into week two of the 2025 season.