Is there any Big Ten team that can give Oregon a hard time? Dan Lanning and the Ducks steadily cruised to the top of the AP Poll ranking for the first time in 12 years after Georgia beat then No. 1 Texas. Right now, they’re the master of the game with a perfect 8-win streak and an impressive 280-125 record. So, who could be their biggest threat?

After Oregon’s last 38-9 victory over Illinois at Autzen Stadium, their hopes for a Big Ten Championship have never been more possible. The only conference rivals that could be a threat to them are Indiana and Ohio State, as per the analysis. But that’s not what Oregon OL Marcus Harper II thinks. The 22-year-old senior joined us in an exclusive interview and gave an interesting response to who their biggest conference threat is. He said, “I would say Oregon. Honestly, we’re holding the torch right now and the fire’s burning hard… I don’t see a team right now that can stop Oregon but Oregon, which is a great thing to have but it’s a lot of responsibility.”

There may still be four upcoming games on the schedule, but Marcus Harper II said it loud and clear — Oregon is the best team in the CFB right now. Still, the Ducks are tied with two other rivals as one of the three undefeated teams in the Big Ten alongside Indiana and Penn State who could give them pressure in the conference title race. 

Ohio State’s ongoing season record may have already been marred with one loss to Oregon on October 12. But they could pose a threat if the teams were to meet again after that close 32-31 thriller. But the good thing about Oregon is that they’re enjoying their most productive season, especially in defense since 2011 giving up just 15.6 points per game. The Ducks are allowing 173.8 passing yards and 123.5 rushing yards per game along with three sacks per game. Right now, they may be on top of the competition in the Big Ten, but do they enjoy the same kind of hype outside of their conference?

Threats for Oregon outside the Big Ten

With where they currently stand, Oregon is not only a potential Big Ten Championship contender. The Ducks are also in a very good position to play in the College Football Playoff. But that’s where they’ll face bigger competition, especially threats from SEC programs like No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Texas. The Bulldogs under Kirby Smart are known for their dominance coming off a huge victory against the Longhorns. Georgia was also the winner of two back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. 

Meanwhile, Texas is another big threat to Oregon toward the national title. While they may have suffered the loss to Georgia, they’re still one of the most dominant teams this season with a win-loss record of 316-77 in eight games. Still, a lot can happen in the upcoming weeks. Oregon has already passed its toughest trials and still has four unranked teams on its schedule before a potential Big Ten Championship appearance.