Oregon Coach Dan Lanning Calls Out SEC Scheduling Ahead of CFP
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning has highlighted the challenges his team faced this season, sending a pointed message to SEC programs ahead of the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee meeting.
Lanning, 39, emphasized the Ducks’ tough schedule, noting the limited number of non-conference games they played compared to SEC teams.
“We didn’t play Chattanooga State today, right? Like some other places,” Lanning said. “We competed. It’s tough playing nine conference games. It’s tough playing in this league.”
Oregon has played just three non-conference games this season, including a key matchup against No. 15 USC Trojans on Saturday, where the Ducks secured a 42-27 victory. Meanwhile, SEC teams such as No. 3 Texas A&M faced much weaker opponents on the same weekend, like the 1-11 Samford Bulldogs.
Lanning suggested this discrepancy could disadvantage Big Ten teams. “I think proof’s in the pudding. A lot of times, we play really good teams and they become unranked, all of a sudden. That’s not our fault, right?” he added.
Oregon currently sits seventh in the 2025 CFP rankings, with Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Michigan holding the top two spots. The Ducks will wrap up their regular season at Husky Stadium against Washington on Saturday.
ESPN and TNT have also announced major scheduling changes ahead of the 2025 Playoffs.
