Dan Lanning has perfect response to question about Oregon's College Football Playoff ranking
Dan Lanning wanted more from Oregon. As crazy as that may be to say after his team won a league game 63-19, Lanning felt the Ducks put themselves in tough positions too often and “didn’t play to our standard,” particularly in a sloppy first half.
But the Ducks won going away. They were the better team by a wide margin. Bo Nix, a quarterback Lanning believes to be the best in the country, was nearly flawless on the day. The Duck defense stymied an offense that put up 49 points a week ago.
Oregon, Lanning thought, showed “flashes” of what it can be.
At this point in the season, style points matter. Did Oregon really leave that much on the table?
We’ll find out on Tuesday night when the College Football Playoff selection committee reveals its updated rankings. Oregon was slotted at No. 6 in the initial batch of rankings from the committee — the highest of any one-loss team.
Lanning was asked after Saturday’s game to give his reaction to the Ducks’ initial ranking.
“No reaction,” he said. “Just win.”
The Ducks control their destiny in both the Pac-12 title race and the Playoff picture. Debuting at No. 6 means Oregon could, if it wins out, turn the Pac-12 championship game into a CFP play-in game. Should Oregon meet Washington in Las Vegas, it would have a chance to avenge its only loss on the season.
Win and you’re in. That’s Oregon’s reality right now.
Lanning surely knows that. And, so far, he has been pushing the right buttons.
“Really disappointing half,” Lanning said on the radio after the first 30 minutes. “I don’t care what the scoreboard says, we have a standard of play.”
It sure looks like a Playoff standard.