College football analyst shares stunning remark on Dan Lanning, Oregon's CFP title chances

The Oregon Ducks still remain a key fixture in the College Football Playoff conversation on a yearly basis. With quarterback Dante Moore foregoing this spring's NFL Draft to return to Eugene, among other factors surrounding coach Dan Lanning's loyalty to the program, the Ducks have positioned themselves as a national title contender to zero in on this fall.

For college football analyst Josh Pate, the Ducks are one team he has supreme confidence in to remain a factor in the championship chase.

"To me, it's obvious this is their best shot that they've had under Dan Lanning," Pate said on a recent episode of "Josh Pate's College Football Show." "Quarterback, really, really good. Defense, especially the depth along the defensive line. Wide receiver is going to be good. There's a lot of really, really good. Their schedule is a question. Their offensive line is a question. If offensive line is a question and especially doesn't hinder them too much, and they can peak at the right time, Oregon could win it all."

Pate is spot-on. The Ducks draw some of the Big Ten's best teams, including the USC Trojans and Ohio State Buckeyes. Throw in games against the Michigan Wolverines, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Illinois Fighting Illini to go alongside a manageable nonconference slate where nine, 10, or 11 wins are not out of the question.

Adding to his rebuttal, Pate said the Ducks are still a bit difficult to figure out holistically.

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“It's going to get an 8.75 for me on the boldness scale, because I think Oregon is one of the best teams in the country this year," Pate said. "Now, you are trying to predict the exact team that wins the national title. So even if I think Oregon is going to be really good, they are one team against the field in this scenario."

Despite this, Pate is ready to put his boldness to the test.

"For all I know, I'm going to pick them to win the national title," Pate said.

Therefore, should Pate's prediction come true, the Big Ten's dominance in college football over the last three seasons will be anything but a fluke.

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Instead, it will just be a standard that will continue to be maintained for potentially years to come.

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