The question is simple: Can the Oregon Ducks football program be a top 10 team in five years?
So believes one national newspaper columnist, and there's no reason to disagree.
Kyle Golic of Mike Farrell Sports named 10 teams he thinks will still be at the top of the league five years from now, and the Ducks are in that group.
After the Mario Cristobal era, Ducks coach Dan Lanning has steadily improved Oregon since taking over in 2022. His Ducks recorded 10 wins for the second straight year and finished the season ranked 15th and 6th in the AP rankings, respectively.
But it's off the field where Golic has impressed: Oregon's 2025 class is loaded with highly ranked commits, with the Ducks ranked as the No. 4 class by On3, No. 5 by 247Sports and No. 6 by Rivals.
All of this momentum is leading to a season with specific dates circled in red ink.
“Dan Lanning is in great form as the No. 5 overall draft pick in the 2025 class, and Lanning's aggressiveness in getting Oregon excited is on full display,” Golic wrote. “This season marks Oregon's first year in the Big Ten Conference, and the matchup against Ohio State on Oct. 12 couldn't be more tense. A win would only add fuel to the fire burning in Eugene. A loss wouldn't put out the flame, but it could dampen its momentum.”
“The talent Lanning is attracting in Eugene is worthy of being among the best in the country. All Oregon has to do is deliver.”
Ranked above the Ducks are Ohio State and Texas. Behind Oregon in the group are Georgia, Southern California, Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida State, Nebraska and Notre Dame. Honorable mention programs include Penn State, Michigan, Miami, Ole Miss and Louisiana State.
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