Oregon slipped from No. 6 to No. 8 in ESPN’s updated post-spring Top 25 on Thursday, as college football writer Mark Schlabach moved both Notre Dame and LSU ahead of the Ducks.
“The Ducks went back to work after winning a Big Ten title and finishing 13-0 in the regular season,” Schlabach wrote. “The next step for coach Dan Lanning is to advance in the CFP.”
Advertisement
Among the spring developments for Oregon, Schlabach highlighted an ongoing quarterback competition following the departure of Dillon Gabriel. Additionally, Schlabach gave a shoutout to former Tulane tailback Makhi Hughes and a number of experienced offensive line transfers.
“Hughes, who ran for 1,401 yards with 15 scores in 2024, was working as the No. 1 tailback,” Schlabach wrote in reference to the Ducks’ spring game. “(Emmanuel) Pregnon, (Isaiah) World and (Alex) Harkey were in position to start on the offensive line.”
At receiver, Schlabach says early-enrollee Dakorien Moore is already pushing for a starting spot. Meanwhile, the Ducks are looking for impact from both veterans and new faces on the defensive side of the ball.
“(Theran) Johnson and (Dillon) Thieneman were competing for starting jobs in the secondary,” Schlabach wrote. “And (Bear) Alexander is trying to revive his once-promising career as the No. 1 nose tackle.”
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning leads his team onto the field© Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Oregon is the third-highest ranked Big Ten team in Schlabach’s updated list, trailing only Penn State (No. 1) and Ohio State (No. 5).
The Ducks open the 2025 season against Montana State on Saturday, August 30. A kickoff time is still to be determined.
