Yes, it's only been two games, and they were tune-up games against weak competition, but it's quickly becoming evident that this Oregon team is way ahead of schedule and executing at a level that exceeds where they last season at this time by quite a margin.
Against Idaho and Boise State last season the offensive line was in disarray. Two years ago at Texas Tech, the Ducks needed a late rally and a Pick Six to put away the Red Raiders., 38-30.
The 2025 team would smash either of those squads at this point in the season. A quick scan of the reasons why:
1. The team is connected.
This group shows incredible animation and energy, and they're pulling for each other and blocking for each other in a way that's infectious. They're playing with great purpose. They're celebrating, creating their internal motivation through a shared commitment.
Fox color analyst Joel Klatt talked about it on the Big Ten Network. "When I watch Oregon on film, I think I'm seeing the best team in the country," he said.
Former MIchigan tight end Jake Butt provided some context, confirming what Oregon fans are seeing with their own eyes.
“They are playing with so much spirit. You can feel the connectedness and togetherness.” @Jbooty88 on No. 4 @oregonfootball 🦆 #B1GToday pic.twitter.com/JnAKKSa2Su
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 11, 2025
2. Dante Moore is playing brilliantly and not forcing throws.
Duck fans loved Dillon Gabriel for the way he carried himself and responded to pressure, but he had some growing pains early in the year as the Oregon quarterback. He forced some throws in the end zone and took points off the board, against UCLA, Michigan State and Wisconsin. A sack/fumble against Idaho kept the team from putting that game away.
By contrast, Moore and his offensive line have been clean in the early going, six touchdowns, no sacks, no turnovers, with the offense scoring on seven of nine drives against Oklahoma State and nine of nine drives in the opener. The Ducks are 13 out of 13 in the Red Zone with 12 touchdowns, 92 percent.
3. The Offensive line is cohesive and executing at a high level.
Oregon is averaging 283 yards a game on the ground and 8.6 yards a carry. They've had just three plays go for lost yardage, and one of those was a kneel-down at the end of the game. Moore hasn't been sacked.
The execution has been superb. Here, USC transfer Emmanuel Pregnon discusses the attitude that drives it.
This clip says a lot about what @105CoachTerry and @CoachDanLanning have built at Oregon 🦆 pic.twitter.com/YRvq06mRr9
— Travis Rooke-Ley (@travisrookeley) September 9, 2025
When a venture gets off to such a flawless start, the human tendency is to relax, to let up on the intensity and effort that made it possible. It's hard to see that happening with the Ducks, who disdain outside noise and take their motivation from each other.
They're in position to start the season with four blowout wins, then an enormous challenge at Beaver Stadium against No. 3 Penn State. Lanning has taught them to embrace hard and welcome pressure. If they can stay on this track and handle the inevitable adversity, oh my.
There's one more thing. It appears this coaching staff has challenged themselves. Their planning and execution is sharper than it's ever been, even when compared to a 35-6 record over three seasons.
They haven't talked about it a lot, but it seems that the loss on January 1 burns within all of them. The drive to be great is even greater. Sometimes losing is fuel.