Overview

• Oregon completed its first Big Ten season 12-0, won the conference championship and then fell 41-21 to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
• Dan Lanning described the playoff defeat as a catalyst for reinforcing fundamentals and underscored a process-oriented approach for future improvement.
• Analyst Gary Danielson predicted the Ducks will be tough to handle for the next five years if they reach the playoffs, though he questioned how four new offensive-line starters will mesh and whether the receiving corps can provide explosive plays.
• After losing a record NFL draft class that included a Heisman finalist quarterback, four starting offensive linemen and the entire starting secondary, Oregon is leaning heavily on its underclassmen.
• Broadcaster Brad Nessler said CBS is positioned to air Oregon’s key matchups after the university declined early-morning FOX kickoff windows.