Oregon had this one coming

Oregon's 39-31 loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday was a shocking upset, marking the Ducks' first loss to an unranked opponent in 36 games under Dan Lanning. As a No. 6 team in college football, Oregon was facing an Oklahoma State team that had not won an FBS game in nearly two years and hadn't beaten a power conference or ranked opponent since November 2023.

This loss puts the Ducks in a precarious position for the rest of the season, as they were previously the preseason No. 2 team in the AP Poll and were favored to make the College Football Playoff. The loss can be attributed to several factors, including the coaching change at Oklahoma State, where Eric Morris replaced Mike Gundy, who ended Lanning's tenure by defeating him a year ago.

Oklahoma State's new offensive coordinator, Drew Mestemaker, and quarterback Drew Mestemaker brought talent like record-setting running back Caleb Hawkins and receiver Wyatt Young to the team. Oregon's staff turnover, including the loss of offensive coordinator Will Stein and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, likely contributed to their downfall against the Cowboys.

The transfer portal and NIL (Nondisclosure Agreement) have further complicated the landscape for programs like Oregon, as teams now have access to a larger pool of talent and can capitalize on opportunities to bolster their rosters. This loss marks a trend of upsets in college football, where talented teams are often caught off guard by teams that have made significant changes to their programs.

As the Ducks prepare for their next game against USC, they will need to navigate an increasingly competitive landscape where the advantage of having a deep roster is less pronounced than in the past.