Dan Lanning addresses familiarity with Chip Kelly ahead of Oregon vs. UCLA

College GameDay will be heading out west on Saturday, with a top-10 matchup taking place in Eugene. Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks will be hosting Chip Kelly’s UCLA Bruins for one of the more important games in the Pac-12 this season. The two may be in different positions but serious postseason implications could be on the line.

For Kelly, he will once again be at Autzen Stadium — a place he coached for six seasons. Lanning, who is in his first year with Oregon, says the communication between the two has been minimal and nothing before he took the job this offseason.

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“I’ve talked to Coach a few times at Pac-12 events but I didn’t talk to him before getting there,” Lanning said.

Kelly has been back twice prior to Saturday since being at UCLA but has only played in front of a crowd once. Oregon has taken both matchups, winning in 2018 and 2020. This year’s showdown will prove to be the most important.

Dan Lanning says Kelly’s experience won’t factor into game

Autzen is not an easy place to play, especially when GameDay is in town. But if anyone knows how to navigate the crowd, it’s Kelly. Playing in front of some ruckus crowds over the years, he will be able to prepare UCLA better than almost anyone in the country.

Even so, Lanning is not interested in hearing that argument. He said Kelly’s experience will not factor into the game when it comes to “an execution standpoint.” Lanning seems focused on having his guys ready to go.

“The environment, the noise, the fans — all those pieces are great elements but none of those things are playing the game. So, none of that is going to have a factor. Obviously, playing here before, that can be a factor in this game.

“He’s got experience in this place, I’m sure he’s got some fond memories in this place. But none of that is going to carry over from what has to happen, from an execution standpoint, on the field.”

Oregon has been on a roll since dropping their season opener against Georgia, winning five straight. UCLA has been far from a slouch either, still undefeated on the year. Both will be coming off a bye week and ready to explode.

Whoever wins could emerge as the favorite to represent the Pac-12 in the College Football Playoff. Perhaps a potential rematch could be in store come conference championship time as well.