Why Oregon’s Next Step Under Dan Lanning May Not Include a Big Ten Championship

By 750 THE GAME STAFF

Expectations for the Oregon fanbase are through the roof. They are the second favorite to win the Big Ten. They are expected to make the CFP. Some even feel as if Oregon should be making noise in the CFP.

But beyond that? John Canzano is not in the camp that thinks Oregon can compete for a national championship next season.

“I think things happen in stages,” Canzano said on 750 The Game. “For teams. For people. For programs. We see things happen in stages. Oregon’s trajectory is pointed in the right direction. But what I haven’t seen from Oregon is a breakthrough moment that suggests to me that they’re capable of winning a conference championship.”

There is a lot of optimism around the Oregon football program right now. But Canzano says to pump the brakes just a little bit. The coaching staff at other premier schools are poaching Oregon’s coaching staff.

“I’m a little leery right now,” Canzano continued. “Maybe six weeks ago I said I thought Oregon could win the Big Ten. In that time, Chip Kelly has joined Ryan Day’s staff. We’ve seen another assistant coach (Carlos Locklyn) from Oregon leave to join Ryan Day’s staff.”

The talent is there, there’s no question about that. All of the questions land on Dan Lanning and his coaching staff. Canzano says at some point they need to win “the big game” and stand up to the other top coaching staffs in the nation.

“Oregon’s got all the players it needs to compete against Ohio State. The question will be can Dan Lanning and his staff stand toe-to-toe with Ryan Day and his staff? That’s the chess match.”

Listen to the full show of the Bald Faced Truth with John Canzano by clicking the podcast below. Catch the Bald Faced Truth weekdays 3-6 p.m. in Portland exclusively on 750 The Game.

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