Does any Big 10 team have the ability to be a tough opponent for Oregon? Following Georgia’s victory over then-No. 1 Texas, Dan Lanning and the Ducks easily reached the very top of the Associated Poll rankings for the first time in twelve years. With a stellar 280-125 record and an 8-game-winning run, they are currently the game’s master. And given their current standing and the formidable opponent, Michigan, it is logical for Dan Lanning’s staff to craft a strategic approach to continue the winning streak. But what is the strategy?
CFB analyst Adam Breneman posted a video on his X account on November 2nd with the caption—“Oregon DC Tosh Lupoi on the defense’s culture in Eugene ⬇️⬇️.” Meanwhile, the footage showed Oregon DC’s real approach: “I don’t need a piece of paper to say this, you know, it’s ingrained in my soul and my mind. We want to play with a relentless effort, and we want to define that. So we define that in three ways. When the ball snapped, we call it six seconds of hell.”
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Oregon DC Tosh Lupoi on the defense’s culture in Eugene ⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/fls295shUR
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) November 2, 2024
It’s an intense concept, but Lupoi broke it down further, saying, “I want to attack and dominate my box for six seconds of hell and owe my job, whatever that be. We want to play from point A to point B as fast and as violent as possible, and we want to have every single play with a plus-two finish. From there, it’s ball excellence.”
He also spoke about the “third part of it,” which he called “the power of unit”—a brotherhood among the team, bigger than oneself. Lupoi credits great mentors like Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Dan Quinn, and others he’s worked with for shaping this mindset. But, as any coach knows, staying undefeated is even harder than achieving an 8-0 start. It takes continuous progress, which is anything but easy. Oregon’s defensive coordinator emphasized, “The will and the desire to finish on the ball, attack the ball, you know, that’s something that I’ve taken great pride in.”
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This strategy aligns with the team’s overarching goal. And adding to that, Oregon’s head coach has set a clear target for this season: winning the National Championship. With this intense and detailed blueprint, the Ducks aim to push past challenges and secure their place at the top.
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Can any Big 10 team truly challenge Oregon's relentless six seconds of hell defense?
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Dan Lanning’s wish to win
Dan Lanning is one of the youngest college football head coaches. Speaking with Maria Taylor of NBC Sports, the 38-year-old HC made it apparent that he wanted to share his joy and accomplishments. Just as he relishes the results of his effort in Eugene, he declares that his number one goal is to assist his players in realizing their goals and desires. The second objective, however, is to “win a national championship” here at Oregon. Given their current undefeated record, it’s not hard to imagine them looking quite confident.
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However, Lanning also disclosed another personal objective. “Mike Belloti is the winningest coach in Oregon football. He’s won 116 games, right? I’m a long way away, so I’m chasing that.” Reasonable! In just 35 games, Dan Lanning has taken Oregon to a 30-5 record. That’s impressive! He’s not just winning games; he’s also recruiting top-tier talent. Oregon is now competing with powerhouse programs like Alabama for the best players. Well, it’s obvious that players would go for a team with an 8-0 record over one with a 6-2 record.
It’s clear that Lanning is building something special in Eugene. And this is the moment for him to really show his capabilities. Will the glimmer last till the end of this season?
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Can any Big 10 team truly challenge Oregon's relentless six seconds of hell defense?