Dan Lanning: Oregon's buy-in, player leadership separates them from other CFP programs

Dan Lanning recognizes there’s something special separating Oregon from the rest of the teams remaining in the College Football Playoff at the moment, and he’s trying to hone in on it.

It’s been an exceptional season for the Ducks, and they’re hoping to continue their march towards a national title versus Ohio State in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Ahead of their showdown, Lanning joined the ESPN College GameDay crew, where he elaborated on his team’s mentality.

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“I think they buy-in on our team is unbelievable,” Lanning responded, regarding how Oregon keeps their intensity level the same against each and every opponent, via College GameDay. “We talk about a player-led team. A lot of people say that, but so rarely do you actually see it. We see that with our guys, day-in and day-out. The way they work. Their focus in meetings. The intention when they step on the field. I know how bad they want it, but they show how bad they want it by how hard they work. That makes it really special. It’s fun to coach.

“I enjoy going to work every single day with the guys that I get to work with, and the players the I get to go to work with. So, it’s a beautiful thing.”

Regardless of the good vibes surrounding Lanning’s team, he recognizes the pressure on the Ducks to defeat the Buckeyes once again and move one step closer to winning a national title.

“I think you hope that you can feel that pressure,” Lanning said, via Sirius XM. “If you’re in moments like this, you’re certainly going to feel pressure. I think anybody who says they’re not, they’re lying. But that’s what you want to coach towards. You want to be in positions where pressure is applied. 

“And Kirby [Smart] said it before but I agree with him: Pressure is a privilege. If you put yourself in position to where you’re going to have pressure, that’s something you have to be able to handle. And our team’s handled it really well so far, have to continue to do so down the stretch.”

The rubber will meet the road in Pasadena. Oregon will look to advance to the Semifinals inside the Rose Bowl against Ohio State, with kickoff slated for 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.