With the 2025 season set to kick off, and the Ducks chasing unproven or transfer production at key positions, we asked The Daily Emerald's sports desk what they're most excited about this season.
Sports Editor Jack Lazarus
I know I am excited for those sweet tie-dye uniforms that the Ducks will premiere against Wisconsin on Oct. 25. The team announced earlier this month that the Wisconsin game will be the team's homecoming matchup, but the game will also be a Grateful Dead and tie-dyed theme. Oregon has been at the forefront of jersey innovation in recent years, but this theme is something out of the blue.
There's a lot to be interested in this season as it regards the product on the field, but we are in Eugene after all, which tends to act as a colorful uniform factory every fall.
Sports Associate Editor Owen Murray
I believe in this pass rushing unit's ability to overcome its losses and remain one of the best groups in the conference -- if not the nation. The Ducks lost Derrick Harmon, Jordan Burch and Jamaree Caldwell to the NFL, but Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti have elite upside, and if USC transfer Bear Alexander settles in next to A'Mauri Washington, they could start to scare the experienced quarterbacks (like Drew Allar and Fernando Mendoza in back-to-back weeks) that Oregon has to face.
Plus, even with the addition of experienced Purdue transfer Dillon Thieneman, there's still five new starters in the secondary. A strong pass rush will take some of the burden off those Ducks early on and give them time to settle in. I think it's going to happen.
Sports Writer Max Koebel
I'm looking forward to seeing more highlight plays from the wide receivers. Oregon fans have had the privilege of watching Tez Johnson and Troy Franklin in recent years, and this year, they can expect more receivers to stand out. There's some uncertainty as to when Evan Stewart will see the field again, but his injury opens the window for another guy to step up.
Gary Bryant Jr. has been with the program for awhile but has been overshadowed by other receivers, and this could be a big season for him. Fans should also have their eyes on Dakorien Moore, Justius Lowe and likely others as well. Whether they're creating a roar at Autzen, or silencing the crowd at Penn State, Iowa or Washington, I can't wait to see these guys make some statements for the offense.
Sports Writer Harry Leader
I'm really excited to see how this offense, mainly Kenyon Sadiq and Dakorien Moore, looks this season. I think Dante Moore has a lot to prove early, but I think he can prove the haters wrong. Makhi Hughes is another exciting piece of the offense that I know can be great, especially with Noah Whittington splitting the reps in the backfield.
I think Oregon has a top defense that will hold it down in the regular season, especially with such a strong defensive line. I am also looking forward to the Penn State game since it feels like the main hurdle for the Ducks to jump heading into the postseason.
Sports Writer Joe Krasnowski
I truly love having an absolute sicko of a head coach to cover. Now entering his fourth season as the head of Oregon's "progrum," much has been written about Dan Lanning being on the cutting edge of both motivation and innovation. It doesn't always land -- none of it will matter if the Ducks fall short of their national title goal -- but still, it's so fun to have one of college football's biggest characters on the sideline and available for interviews every week. Just think -- Oregon could have a boring head coach, but that wouldn't be anywhere as fun, would it?
Sports Writer Henry Light
Oregon's running back duo of Makhi Hughes and Noah Whittington is the most exciting part of the offense to me going into the season. In my opinion, Whittington showed enough behind Jordan James last season to be the starter this year, so the addition of Hughes, who finished No. 10 in the nation in rushing yards at Tulane University, forms an elite running back room. The entertainment value in this pairing is off the charts, with Whittington being responsible for one of the best highlights of Oregon's 2024 season when he ran over an Illinois defender on his way to the end zone, and Hughes simply describing himself as a "power back" at media day.
I expect Hughes to be one of the best running backs in the country again, and Whittington, who caught more passes than Hughes as a backup in 2024, to play a versatile role behind him.
Sports Writer Rachel McConaghie
It has been reiterated by the Oregon coaching staff, and I'm excited about the value of having such depth within the roster. At a glance, the predictions of the team's starting lineup has influenced their No. 7 ranking in the Associated Press preseason poll. While the projected starting lineup is stacked, it's extremely valuable for Oregon to have such an extensive roster depth throughout all positions.
It's a group that has a lot to prove -- but is considered to have significant potential for the present and future, positioning the Ducks as a strong contender in the Big Ten. Coaches conference-wide have stated in the press that they feel their program is set apart from the rest because they treat every athlete as a starter. Taking a deep dive into the depth chart shows Oregon's successes beyond just the starters.
Sports Writer Rowan Shea
I am excited to see how the quarterback room shapes up with Dante Moore, Austin Novosad and Luke Moga. All are talented quarterbacks and have proved that this preseason. The depth, a conversation that has been had time and time again while discussing this team, is deep in the QB room. Moore is expected to be the starting quarterback, but Novosad has seemingly been playing well in the preseason and getting his name more attention. While I don't believe Moga will be competing for a starting position, he's added more talent to the room.