Oregon Ducks Maintain Big Ten Contender Status After 3-0 Start

The Oregon Ducks have started the 2025 college football season strong with a 3-0 record, maintaining the top spot in ESPN's Football Power Index despite a slight dip in their chances to repeat as Big Ten Champions and make the College Football Playoff. Oregon's defense ranks 10th nationally, allowing only 10 points per game, while the offense is led by quarterback Dante Moore, who has impressive completion percentages and yardage, supported by a powerful rushing attack led by freshman Dierre Hill. In their Big Ten opener, Oregon defeated Northwestern 34-14, demonstrating clean play with zero penalties and capitalizing on turnovers. Recruiting remains a unique challenge and strength for Oregon, as coach Dan Lanning's squad has the farthest-based recruits in the Big Ten, leveraging the appeal of their West Coast location despite the travel distances. The Pac-12, with ten teams heading to bowl games including many Oregon opponents, continues to be a strong conference but has no representation in the College Football Playoff this season. Overall, Oregon's blend of high-powered offense, strong defense, and distinctive recruiting strategy is positioning them as a formidable contender in college football.