Welcome to Glass Slipper! One of the best shooters on Earth remains a free agent. Someone sign Taylor Mikesell immediately; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

It almost feels impossible that this fan base has never celebrated a national title. Things feel different under Dan Lanning, and he’s built perhaps the best roster in school history. It’s time to talk about the #4 team in the Glass Slipper rankings, Oregon.

Offense

Every year, there’s a college football wide receiver trio that borders on being unfair.

2019: LSU (Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Terrace Marshall Jr.)

2020: Alabama (Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, John Metchie III)

2021: Ohio State (Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba)

2022: Ohio State (Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka)

2023: Washington (Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillan)

Oregon has possession of the belt this season. Tez Johnson made a superstar leap while playing with his brother Bo Nix in 2023. He was arguably the best receiver in the nation down the stretch; Johnson had 52 catches for 763 yards and 6 touchdowns in his final six games.

The guy I’m most excited about is Evan Stewart, a transfer addition from Texas A&M. The 20-year-old is free from the Jimbo Fisher/Bobby Petrino tag team tire fire, and he now has a chance to remind people why he was such a prized gem in the 2022 recruiting class. His flashes of brilliance as an Aggie should expand into consistent dominance under a real coaching staff. Traeshon Holden - who started for Alabama - will be a valuable, big-bodied third option. These dudes are going to light up the Big Ten.

The Ducks’ ground game is elite in its own right. This is a really good offensive line paving the way for Jordan James and Noah Whittington. That running back duo is already proven; the pair has combined for 2,196 yards from scrimmage and 25 total touchdowns in their time at Oregon.

Oh, by the way. Did I mention that the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner is this team’s signal-caller? LSU broke the NCAA record by scoring 726 points in 2019. That mark will belong to the Ducks in five months.

Defense

There’s a chance that nothing I say in this section matters at all. I know I keep bringing up the Joe Burrow Heisman year in Baton Rouge. Do you remember where that squad’s defense finished nationally? Neither do I. Was the 2020 Alabama team great at getting stops? I have no idea. Those offenses were so good that it made no difference. If this Dillon Gabriel attack clicks, there’s a chance that Oregon authors a similar story.

For what it’s worth, this defensive unit in Eugene is solid anyway. I do think the Ducks will be a touch leaky in the secondary; transfer Jabbar Muhammad is the only future NFL starter I see back there. But it’s going to be tough sledding against Dan Lanning’s crew in the run game, and that might end up being plenty enough.

Season Outlook

Pre-Bowl Record Prediction: 12-1

Selection Sunday Fan Mood: We’re getting the No. 5 seed, but it’s basically a first-round bye. Give us Ole Miss. Give us Clemson. You can even give us that Iowa defense. We’re dropping 40 in Autzen, and we’re going to the semifinals. It’s our year.

Pressroom

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“Live While We’re Young” by One Direction. These lyrics were definitely written in under 15 minutes.