Joel Klatt Concerned With Early Showing From College Football Powerhouse: 'It's Borderline Panic'

On " The Joel Klatt Show " Wednesday morning, college football analyst Joel Klatt expressed concern about the Oregon Ducks' less-than-impressive performance so far this season.

While the Ducks are still 2-0, the program has not yet displayed their ability to pull away from inferior opponents in its first two games.

In Week 1, the Ducks defeated the FCS-level Idaho Vandals by a score of 24-14 and had to come back to beat the Boise State Broncos, 37-34, on a last-second field goal in Week 2.

Klatt mentioned the close calls as a minor concern as Oregon's skill should have allowed it to secure more sound victories.

"For the second straight week, Oregon escapes. Unconvincing win. Now a win, but unconvincing,” Klatt said. “Now this time, let's be fair, it's a walk-off win, but Boise.”

Klatt continued by highlighting the offensive line struggles that have persisted through the first two games, adding that Oregon has given up more sacks this year than the program did through all of 2023.

He also expressed worry for Oregon's ability to protect quarterback Dillon Gabriel as the program hasn't even begun Big Ten conference play, where they play the formidable pass rush of Ohio State later on in the season.

"The offensive line clearly has not jelled trying to break in two new starters," Klatt said.

"We see them now giving up sacks at a rate that is frankly alarming as compared to last year," he added.

Klatt continued by stating that if he is checking in on Oregon after Week 2, there is a very real concern for the program. He also added that struggles in pass protection are not an easy fix but rather a fundamental issue that takes time to adjust.

"If I'm checking in on the fanbase of Oregon, I'm worried,” Klatt said. “I think that there is some real concern for Oregon because these are not fluky issues."

Klatt concluded his thoughts on the Ducks by stating that Oregon's issues before the start of Big Ten play is worthy of borderline panic, considering their expectations heading into the 2024 campaign. He even claimed that Boise State could have come away victorious against the Ducks as the Broncos were the better team throughout most of the contest on Saturday.

“...It's borderline panic based on the expectations in the preseason in Eugene,” Klatt concluded. "...They've got to fix some of those issues before they head into a Big Ten slate, or else this is not going to be the year that everyone thought it was going to be in Eugene."

The Ducks' Week 3 matchup will be on Sept. 14 when the program visits their in-state rival Oregon State Beavers from Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. The start time for "The Civil War" clash is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will air on Fox.

Related: Joel Klatt Believes Historic Week 2 Loss Could Be Insurmountable For Premier College Football Program