The case for Oregon as a Top 5 preseason team, Big Ten title contender in 2024

The expectations are sky-high for the Oregon Ducks ahead of the 2024 season as they join the Big Ten Conference with hopes of instantly being dominant and competing for a national championship in the new expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

So much so that On3’s Andy Staples has them ranked as the No. 4 team in the country in his preseason rankings. A ranking that he and Jesse Simonton justified and broke down on Tuesday during Andy Staples On3.

“This is a roster that can compete with anybody,” Staples said. “Now here’s my issue with Oregon, and I’ve got them ranked high so I’m expecting them to break through this year. But Dan Lanning had the best roster in the Pac-12 the last two years and they did not win the Pac-12. But as I keep reminding people, Dan Lanning was in his first two years as a head coach, he’s a very young coach. You learn things.”

Lanning enters his third season at the helm for the Ducks and his third season overall as a head coach. Already regarded as one of the best in the game after posting a 22-5 record and turning down the opportunity to fill the shoes of Nick Saban at Alabama following last season. Now facing a golden opportunity to take a new conference, and college football at large, by storm with a roster that features veteran and new exciting pieces.

“I think Dan Lanning’s going to break through, but this is a team that is built to succeed right now. This team should be in the Big Ten Championship game in year one based on the talent they have and the schedule they have,” Staples said. “And I think Dillon Gabriel may be the most important quarterback addition in the transfer portal this offseason.”

Simonton agreed: “I don’t think there’s any quibbles with that considering he led the Big 12 in passing yards and I think efficiency, touchdowns, all that a year ago and you just plug him right into Will Stein‘s system.”

Gabriel transferred to Oregon this offseason after spending three years at UCF and two at Oklahoma, entering the season as one of college football’s most experienced quarterbacks with 49 career starts, 14,865 yards, and 125 touchdown passes under his belt. Joining forces with returning players like Tez Johnson and Jordan Burch and new transfer additions like Evan Stewart and Jabbar Muhammad.

“I’m with you on Oregon, I’m sky-high on the Ducks this year. I think that just because you haven’t yet doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t, and so Dan Lanning has shown that while he has had some issues with game management, fourth downs, over aggression, he just gets it. He has set up this program to contend on an annual basis,” Simonton said.

All eyes will be on Eugene this season to see if the Ducks can live up to the hype, as they kick off the season on August 31 in a non-conference matchup against FCS Idaho.