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We're about to find out if Oregon football is really a national title contender

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 4, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning waits to talk to an referee during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning waits to talk to an referee during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
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Five up, five down. Through five games of the 2024 season, Oregon football has secured a perfect 5-0 record but it hasn't come without some close calls.

Week 1 saw the Ducks flirt with danger against Idaho before winning by 10 and then in Week 2, they were on the ropes at home against Boise State before coming back in the fourth quarter and beating Ashton Jeanty and Co. by three.

The Ducks responded to all of the media criticism and even the AP Poll dropping them six spots despite being 2-0 by going into Corvallis and wiping the floor with rival Oregon State, 49-14. The game wasn't even close and it showed that the Ducks are as good as we thought, they just need to find that consistency.

Oregon then got a bye and looked refreshed against UCLA, dominating the Bruins 34-13 before hosting a tough Michigan State team and running away with a 31-10 win.

The defense has been playing really well ever since that Boise State game and the offense continues to put up points and yardage. They are starting to really come together nicely on both sides of the ball as Dillon Gabriel is a legitimate Heisman candidate and Jordan James looks like the next star in the backfield.

But Week 7 presents the toughest test of the season and while Oregon has looked like a title contender over the past three games, it'll have to get by Ohio State in order to prove it's for real.

The Buckeyes haven't lost a game yet either and they're just running through every team in their path. Ryan Day's team is on a mission this season after losing to Michigan in three straight years and he knows that if he wants to keep his job, he's going to have to recapture the Big Ten and put Michigan back in their place in the rivalry.

If Oregon is for real, it'll have to take advantage of home field and beat No. 2 Ohio State in the game of the week to improve to 6-0. A win gets Oregon at least to that No. 2 spot and maybe even No. 1.

A loss would make everyone doubt again.

It's time to prove it.

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