Ex-NFL QB sends strong message on Ducks head football coach Dan Lanning amidst rumors Oregon can lose him to the pros

The Oregon Ducks are amid a historic season as the end of November draws closer. Along with being on the cusp of a College Football Playoff berth and Big Ten championship, they can finish unbeaten for the first time since 1916. If they were to do so, it would be the fourth time in school history.

While the Ducks continue to push toward greatness, it calls into question how much longer their coach, Dan Lanning, sticks around.

According to former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky, Ducks fans better anticipate the unexpected regarding the program's future.

“It’s very clear that Dan Lanning, at worst, is the second-best College Football coach in the country right now.”Orlovsky told "The Next Round Live" podcast.

Orlovsky broke down the intangibles that could make him a successful NFL coaching candidate.

"He's authentic," Orlovsky said. "I think he's got a no-stone-unturned youth, a Nick Saban youth to him. Nick Saban is notorious for; there is nothing that is small. Everything is big. I think Lanning has that quality to him. It's funny, when they beat Ohio State and did that 12-man on-the-field penalty, I said, 'It's very clear that we have two elite coaches in college football. Kirby Smart being one and Dan Lanning probably being the second. And people are like, 'You're an idiot, this and that.'"

So far, Lanning has proved Orlovsky right. The question remains: can he prove to the rest of the nation he is no fluke? Only he can answer that.

The Oregon Ducks have a Heisman contender

The Ducks end their season with an away-home split. Oregon travels to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers on Saturday night, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET. After a bye week next week, they host Washington Thanksgiving weekend. Kickoff times have not been announced.

The Ducks are fresh off a 39-18 victory against Maryland this past Saturday, which saw quarterback Dillon Gabriel break the all-time FBS passing touchdown record (179).

Gabriel is making his case for the Heisman Trophy, too. He has passed for 2,848 yards and 22 touchdowns while only surrendering five turnovers.

At press time, Oregon is +350 to make the College Football Playoff, according to The Tennesseean.