Oregon Ducks get a ton of love from opposing coaches with highest preseason poll ranking in over a decade

The Oregon Ducks continue an offseason of momentum as they prepare to make their mark in their new conference. Apparently, their offseason roster building, partnered with their returning head coach Dan Lanning, has garnered the attention of coaches elsewhere. In the USA Today preseason coaches poll, Oregon slots in as the No. 3 team in the country – it's highest ranking since being ranked No. 3 in 2013.

Oregon is part of a loaded Big Ten Conference

In this year's preseason coaches poll, Oregon was voted third. First in the poll stands Georgia, and Oregon's new conference rival Ohio State Buckeyes sit just between them in second.

Outside of Ohio State and Oregon, The Big Ten is represented with Michigan at No. 8, Penn State at No. 9, fellow Pac 12 turned Big Ten USC at No. 23, and Iowa at No. 25.

Oregon is being regarded as one of the heavy hitters in the country in Dan Lanning's first season heading into the Big Ten, which is a heavy amount of respect.

The Ducks will be led by a high-flying offense

Lanning's squad will feature talent on defense , but it's the offense that stands a head above the rest . Quarterback Dillon Gabriel is being widely considered as a Heisman Trophy contender now that he finds himself in a high-octane offense with plenty of surrounding talent.

He'll have a deep wide receiver room to target in the passing game, featuring new WR1 Evan Stewart , who I firmly believe will be a huge riser heading towards the 2025 NFL Draft. His body control and strong hands make him an exciting and reliable No. 1 for Gabriel to target, while having trustworthy options in Tez Johnson out of the slot and Treashon Holden on the boundary.

Gabriel will also have the benefit of turning around and handing the ball off to Jordan James, a junior running back slated for a major breakout campaign now that he will be taking control of the backfield after Bucky Irving went to the NFL.

It will be no easy task to compete in the Big Ten, but Lanning's energy and competitive fire will have this team ready to stand up to the tallest of tests.

Related: Top Vols Reporter bashes Oregon Ducks for "buying a class" via NIL coming off a huge flip in recruiting

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