It’s time for another Oregon Ducks mailbag.
Thanks to those who submitted questions for last week’s mailbag.
If you already have questions for next week, please submit them using the form below or email them to AFentress@Oregonian.com.
Please include your first name and last initial, or your social media handle and platform.
Now on to this week’s questions:
For the first time, Oregon’s OC and DC are both halfway out the door in the postseason. How distracting is this gonna be for the players, the longer the Ducks survive in the CFP? – John D.
I don’t see this being an issue. Coach Dan Lanning experienced the same situation in 2021 as the outgoing defensive coordinator for Georgia, which won the national championship.
Lanning said this week that he expects defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi and offensive coordinator Will Stein to dedicate the bulk of their time to Oregon and in their spare time, focus on their respective new jobs.
Both made it clear that they want to win a national title and they know they owe Lanning, the players, and the university their best efforts.
James Crepea wrote about both coordinators this week.
Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as the No. 6 Ducks face the Washington Huskies in a college football game at Husky Stadium in Seattle on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
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Oregon has not played for a national title since 2014. What is your best guess as to when they return? How far away is this team? – Anonymous
Maybe this season. We shall see. Given the program’s resources, as long as the Ducks have a high-caliber quarterback, they will be playoff contenders. The rest of the talent needed should routinely be in place.
As for reaching the championship game, that takes some luck. But the more shots one gets, the more likely they will eventually break through.
I do like Oregon’s chances next year if quarterback Dante Moore returns.
General headlines have mentioned that the game atmosphere and Autzen environment will be electric. However, given the opponent and the idea that Oregon may continue to the next round, do you think the home crowd will be disappointed tomorrow? Emily A.
Interesting question. Saturday’s vibes won’t match what they would have been had Oregon been hosting Notre Dame or Texas. That atmosphere would have been off the charts.
However, this is a playoff game, and a bonus game at Autzen. The Ducks haven’t won a playoff game since the 2014 season, and last year’s playoff run died in the Rose Bowl.
I believe UO fans will be fired up early on, but will die down if the game starts looking like a blowout.
Oregon fans cheer on the No. 8 Ducks during a college football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
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Do you think the Ducks will rest their former injured players for the James Madison game, even if they’re ready to play? – Anonymous
I’d expect Oregon to play those who are clearly ready to play and sit those who are on the fence. There’s no sense in risking further injury or slowing someone’s return by playing them against James Madison.
However, for those ready to go, they should get back into the groove of playing games before things get real against Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl.
Crepea reported that wide receiver Dakorien Moore indicated on social media that he will play this weekend.
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Okay, I give wide receiver Evan Stewart a 70% chance of playing in Eugene next year. What do you say, Aaron? – Anonymous
I’d say it’s 99%. Entering the NFL draft coming off this season wouldn’t make much sense, in my opinion. He would be a late-round pick and receive little guaranteed money.
He should return next season, hopefully with Moore, post big numbers and elevate his draft stock. I’m sure Oregon would offer him a sizeable check to return.
Oregon receiver Evan Stewart (7) looks for running room as the No. 1 Ducks face the Michigan Wolverines in a Big Ten football game on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.Naji Saker for The Oregonian/OregonLive
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Hi Aaron, I’ve enjoyed your Ducks coverage on Oregonlive and the podcast this year. Keep it up! Question: Looking at Texas Tech’s schedule, are you at all impressed with any of their wins outside of BYU or Utah? Both of those teams are good, but would be mid-Big Ten. I just feel like UO will be the best opponent they’ve faced since Texas in 2023. Thoughts? – Bethany
Thank you very much.
I agree. Oregon will be the best team Texas Tech has faced this season.
However, the Red Raiders are no joke. Texas Tech brought in 21 transfers for this season, with 14 receiving four-star rankings either out of high school, as transfers, or both. Their transfer class was ranked second by 247Sports.
Texas Tech will be the second-best team Oregon has faced this season. The best was Indiana, which beat the Ducks 30-20 at Autzen Stadium.
A matchup between Oregon and Texas Tech would be great. Right now, I have the Ducks winning by a field goal.
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It’s regularly said that before NIL, players routinely received money under the table. But I don’t think the rules against it were widely enforced. How widespread do you think it was? Is there any reliable source? – Mike E.
The amount of money flowing to college athletes right now tells us all we need to know about how widespread under-the-table payments to players were in the past.
Clearly, many boosters with deep pockets are willing to pay athletes to play for their favorite program.
One of the best documentaries on the subject was ESPN’s 30 for 30 episode on SMU called “Pony Excess.” It details how boosters paid star players, including running back Eric Dickerson, back in the early 1980s.
Southern Methodist got busted and ultimately received the death penalty. Also, don’t forget that USC had to vacate a national championship because of the Reggie Bush scandal. So, there has been some enforcement along the way.
However, boosters were also very slick and could often find ways to fly under the radar. Now, they don’t have to. Just donate to a collective and someone writes a check.
No. 12 James Madison (12-1) at No. 5 Oregon (11-1)
- When: Saturday, Dec. 20
- Time: 4:30 p.m. PT
- Where: Autzen Stadium
- TV: TNT/HBO Max
- Stream: You can watch this game on DIRECTV(free trial) or with Sling (a Sling day pass to watch this game and more is just $4.99). Streaming broadcasts for this game will be available on these streaming services locally in Oregon and Washington, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest, depending on your location.
