Dan Lanning Discusses Playoff Format and Facing Texas Tech

The No. 5 Oregon Ducks are preparing for a matchup against the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders after Saturday’s 51-34 win over James Madison in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Head coach Dan Lanning met with reporters in Eugene following Monday’s practice and gave his early thoughts on facing the Red Raiders, his thoughts on the College Football Playoff format and much more.”

Below are some of his top quotes and updates.

Opening statement:

On advantage of having first-round game, playoff structure

Lanning: “I don’t know if there’s a side advantage. I think it’s just more of an indicator that the way we do playoffs in college football is messed up, right? I mean, in my opinion, we’re really excited to be going to the Orange Bowl, but this game should be played at Texas Tech, right? The higher-seeded team. We should play a week after the last game. The next playoff game should be the next Saturday, the next playoff game should be the next Saturday and the championship game. But we’re trying to fit a lot of things in, you know, a different sequence. But my opinion, this game should be played at Tech. There should be a home field advantage for them. But I know their fans will travel. Our fans will travel. And we’re really excited to be playing in the Orange Bowl.”

On what makes Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez special

Lanning: “Super instinctual, really aggressive. And it’s not necessarily just aggressive with like them blitzing him. It’s his ability to find ways to get to the ball. And then when he gets to the ball, he has the intention to get the ball out every snap right, he takes shots at the ball consistently. Obviously in the Big 12 championship game, you see their other linebackers show up, making interceptions. They just play really well as a unit. And he’s certainly a guy that brings that same juice for them. You see the whole defense play with that, that mindset. And I think he’s where it starts.”

On Texas Tech pass rush

Lanning: “Again, they generate a ton of negatives, and a lot of it comes from, rushing coverage. Rushing the four guys up front and letting the guys in the back end cover. And they do an outstanding job of that. They’ve got an arsenal of pass rush moves that you see show up, especially on the edges. Those guys, are a matchup issue. They do a really good job. We’ll have to do a great job of protecting the quarterback and making good decisions there.”

On players going home for holiday, what schedule looks like next 10 days

Lanning: “There’s not really that opportunity. And our players bought into that right when we hopped into playoff mode that hey, we’re going to kind of take our break now at the beginning. And I think it was a good reset for them, but we’ll be working. They’ll get some time right around Christmas, and we’ll get some time to fellowship with each other. But beyond that, it’s going to be really intent and focused on Texas Tech.”

On Jordon Davison after he exited late vs. James Madison

Lanning: “Think that he’ll be in good shape for this next game.”

On Teitum Tuioti‘s development, importance

Lanning: “Teitum Tuioti does not get enough credit. I don’t know if everybody in college football recognizes what kind of player we have in Teitum. He’s gotten better every single year. He’s disruptive, he’s a player impact guy. Plays the run extremely well, rushes the passer well. There’s a lot of things Teitum does really and he’s a really smart player. Obviously he’s Tony’s kid, so he’s grown up in it his entire life. But you see a guy that executes at a really high level and makes an impact in every game for us. It’s not easy to go get a TFL every game. It’s not like we’re calling every play for him to go make a TFL every single snap either. So for him to make that impact, that’s really credit to him and being a great finisher.”