'We're new on the block, but we're here to stay': Oregon establishes Big Ten dominance

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – If someone told you before the 2024 season that No. 1 Oregon would come into the Big House, control the entire game and win by three touchdowns, would you believe them?

The Ducks would if they looked that far ahead. The confidence seems to have always been there, but the narrow, week-to-week focus of this Oregon team borders on the extreme under Dan Lanning. And with every game it becomes clearer that he is consistently adopting the coach's mentality.

After a 38-17 road win over the defending national champions, Dillon Gabriel smiled and looked down when asked about the gravity of the moment: Oregon is the first team since Michigan State in 2015 to beat Michigan and Ohio State in the same season defeated.

“I don’t know, I feel like the story doesn’t necessarily align with what we want to do,” Gabriel said. “I think we were just so focused at the moment. We'll take a look back at the road and maybe you can ask me that question. Hopefully in January.

“Being present, being in the moment, has allowed us to seize every moment. Easy to say, hard to do. These seasons are going to be long, but I appreciate that we were able to stay fresh, stay present and get better every week.”

Much of the discussion surrounding Oregon's entry into the Big Ten has revolved around its ability to keep up with the physicality of the conference, whether in the trenches or elsewhere on the field.

The Ducks were superior in every phase Saturday at one of college football's hallowed venues, rushing for 176 yards behind a much-improved offensive line and picking up another 294 yards through the air. And on defense, aside from some resurgent attack from the Wolverines in the second half, Oregon had a largely one-dimensional Michigan team under its control.

Maybe — with three games and a conference championship to go — the question should be: Can the rest of the Big Ten keep up with Oregon? Aside from Ohio State, there was no challenge. And the rest may not exist.

“Getting into a new conference and establishing a little bit of dominance,” linebacker Bryce Boettcher said. “We’re new to the area, but we’re here to stay.”

No. 1 Oregon (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) vs. Maryland (4-4, 1-4)

• When: Saturday November 9th
• Time: 4:00 p.m. PT
• Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene
• TV channels: Big Ten Network
• Electricity: Watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial).
• 2024 Oregon Ducks Football Season Schedule, Results
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— Ryan Clarke covers that Oregon Ducks and Big Ten Conference. Listen to this Ducks Confidential Podcast or subscribe Ducks Roundup Newsletter.