Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks Fans Will Be Vindicated by Kirk Herbstreit's Comments About Recent Win

Producing two smackdown wins at Autzen Stadium to begin the season, the Oregon Ducks might be going under the radar. At least, that's what football analyst Kirk Herbstreit thinks as the Ducks move up to No. 4 on the AP Poll.
Ally Osborne|
Kirk Herbstreit pets his dog, Peter, on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
Kirk Herbstreit pets his dog, Peter, on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Oregon DucksOklahoma State CowboysNorthwestern Wildcats

For the Oregon Ducks, their first two blowout games at Autzen Stadium against the Montana State Bobcats (59-13) and the Oklahoma State Cowboys (69-3) feel like a shot to the arm compared to last years' shaky wins over the Idaho Vandals and the Boise State Broncos, and media members are taking notice.

One of the talking heads that put their faith behind the Ducks in the preseason last year, ESPN College GameDay's Kirk Herbstreit, made the case for Oregon being overlooked in the national conversation during ESPN's broadcast of Michigan at Oklahoma.

"It feels like no one is talking about Oregon this year," Herbstreit said on the call for the game. "It's like they're taking the year off. People need to remember that they're playing ball up there in Eugene."

Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore celebrates the Ducks’ win as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 6,
Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore celebrates the Ducks’ win as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 6, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Moving On Up, to the Duck-side

Herbstreit isn't the only source praising the reigning Big Ten Conference champions after their 2-0 start to the season. The ESPN College Football Power Index listed the Ducks six spots higher this week after dismantling the Cowboys. In fact, the Ducks (24.5) have an FPI two points higher than conference rival Ohio State (22.4) and the Texas Longhorns (22.4).

According to the FPI, the Ducks are now the favorite to win the conference once again, make it to the national championship, and win the national championship. The Ducks are the second highest team for probability of making the playoffs under the Buckeyes.

Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt also listed the Ducks as No. 3 on his weekly top 10 breakdown with Ohio State as his No. 1 and Penn State being ranked below the Ducks at No. 4.

Oregon running back Jayden Limar carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 6, 2025, at Au
Oregon running back Jayden Limar carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 6, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Why the Ducks Are so Overlooked: Youth & Transfers

The doubt creeping around Oregon in the preseason seems rooted in the youth this squad boasts.

At quarterback, though sophomore Dante Moore was highly touted as a Heisman Trophy candidate by teammates and media members at Ducks' practices, his resume from his former team at UCLA freshman year and his redshirt season with the Ducks only seeing the field during four games to mentor under Cleveland Browns' quarterback Dillon Gabriel had some unsure of Moore's game-proven talent.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throws down field against Oklahoma State during the second quarter at Autzen.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throws down field against Oklahoma State during the second quarter at Autzen. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

However, against the Cowboys, Moore clocked in 266 yards and three touchdowns with a 76 completion percentage before exiting the field in favor of backups Luke Moga and Brock Thomas.

The Ducks also had several question marks surrounding their wideouts rooms, especially with senior wide receiver Evan Stewart being ruled out of the season with a torn knee tendon.

Against the Cowboys, Oregon's depth at receiver became clear with talent like senior Gary Bryant Jr., freshman Dakorien Moore, and freshman Jeremiah McClellan stepping up as leaders on the team with a combined 191 yards in receiving against the Cowboys.

Offensive coordinator Will Stein said it best in the offseason that Oregon's team was a "weird veteran" squad with several older players coming in from other progams. The best result of this statement shines through in the offensive line, which has combined transfers like tackle Alex Harkey and Isaiah World and guard Emmanuel Pregnon mixing well with Oregon veterans like center Iapani Laloulu and guard Dave Iuli.

Oregon quarterback Luke Moga finds room to run as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 6, 2025, at Autze
Oregon quarterback Luke Moga finds room to run as the Oregon Ducks host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 6, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

What's Next For the Ducks?

Given the Ducks' upcoming schedule, it's likely two more wins will be added on for Oregon before their Sept. 27 showdown at Beaver Stadium against Penn State.

Sept. 13 marks the Ducks' Big Noon Kickoff game against the Northwestern Wildcats, who's entering this week with a 23-3 loss to the Tulane Green Wave.

Sept. 20 is Oregon's rivalry game against the Oregon State Beavers, who are trying to recover from two early losses in a row with their special teams feeling uncoordinated and the team beating itself in their 36-27 loss against the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday.

Duck fans should expect more media members to start lending their favor to the Ducks as Oregon's schedule creeps closer and closer to their Penn State matchup.

Published
Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

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