Four "What If's" for Oregon's 2025 Football Season

When you lose a Heisman finalist at quarterback, three of your top four receivers, a 1,000-yard rusher, a first-round NFL Draft pick at offensive tackle, and three defensive players selected within the first 90 picks, it’s only natural for questions to arise in Eugene. The result? Plenty of uncertainty—and just as many hypotheticals—about what the 2025 Oregon Ducks football season might look like.

With spring practice now over a month in the rearview mirror and more than two months remaining until Montana State rolls into Autzen Stadium for the season opener, it’s the perfect time to start asking: What if?

Here are four key scenarios I’m thinking about as we head into the summer.

WHAT IF… Dante Moore, Dakorien Moore and Kenyon Sadiq LIVE UP to the HYPE?

With Evan Stewart now sidelined due to injury, Oregon’s “Big 3” steps into the spotlight. Let’s start with the super frosh himself—Dakorien Moore.

If Moore lives up to the immense hype, he’ll be producing at or above the level of Ryan Williams from last season—and maybe even approaching Jeremiah Smith territory. That would put him near the 1,000-yard mark, providing Oregon with a legitimate deep threat who adds another explosive layer to an already dangerous offense. Moore emerging as a star would not only soften the blow of losing Stewart, it would elevate the Ducks’ offense in every conceivable way.

If Moore is stretching the field and lighting up defenders on the outside, that opens the middle for one of college football’s most dangerous tight ends: Kenyon Sadiq. If Sadiq plays to his potential, he becomes a defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare. With defenses dedicating extra attention to Moore, Sadiq could feast on Big Ten slot corners, linebackers, and safeties. His presence could prove just as vital to Oregon’s offensive success as any player on the roster.

And if both Moore and Sadiq are living up to their lofty expectations, life becomes significantly easier for quarterback Dante Moore. With his top targets consistently open, Dante can get the ball out quickly, build confidence, and enter the Heisman conversation.

If Oregon’s “Big 3” plays like a superteam, there’s no defense on the Ducks’ regular season schedule capable of shutting them down. And with that firepower, Oregon should be able to go toe-to-toe with any team in college football.

WHAT IF… Bear Alexander plays at an All-Big Ten level?

I haven’t been shy about how much I love Oregon’s defensive line heading into 2025—and a big reason for that is the potential of Bear Alexander.

If Bear is playing at a second or third-team All-Big Ten level, Oregon’s defensive front could be completely full of All-Conference players. Whether it’s stopping the run or rushing the passer, opposing offenses will be forced to make a choice: double-team Bear, Matayo Uiagalelei, or A’Mauri Washington—and whichever one isn’t doubled is going to wreak havoc. Consistent pressure from this group makes life significantly easier for a secondary that’s replacing everyone, and helps that new unit build confidence early.

Bear playing to his full potential also takes pressure off some of Oregon’s younger, less experienced talents like Terrance Green, Tionne Gray, and Aydin Breland. If he anchors the line effectively, it likely limits the immediate playing time for at least one of those three—but that’s not a bad thing. They’re in a perfect position to mirror the role Washington played last season: rotational pieces who can step in and maintain a high level of play with little to no drop-off.

WHAT IF… the run game is the BEST PART of the offense?

This one’s a little tricky—not entirely inconceivable, and maybe even probable despite the wealth of talent in Oregon’s passing game. The Ducks have long been known for their dominant rushing attacks, producing a 1,000-yard rusher in 17 of the last 20 seasons.

Will Stein’s offense is built on balance, but if Oregon’s run game ends up being one of the best in recent memory, the ripple effects would be significant. First, it would indicate that the transfer offensive linemen have meshed quickly and effectively. If Makhi Hughes and company are consistently imposing their will, much of the credit would go to the size and experience Oregon added through the portal this offseason.

And while a dominant ground game would likely mean Hughes is enjoying the best season of his career, it would also signal that the depth in the running back room has exceeded expectations. There’s no doubt Hughes is a high-level back, but if the Ducks are operating at that kind of level, it shows confidence in multiple backs to contribute in different situations. Noah Whittington and Da’Jaun Riggs come in with solid expectations, but a breakout rushing year would suggest Oregon has more quality depth at the position than it’s had in quite some time.

Of course, there’s another side to that coin. If the Ducks are leaning heavily on the run, it might suggest the passing game isn’t quite as explosive or deep as originally expected. It could hint that the loss of Evan Stewart is more significant than anticipated, and that the wide receiver rotation isn’t as solidified or dynamic as hoped.

WHAT IF… the secondary is just TOO NEW?

Pro Football Focus recently ranked Oregon as the No. 6 secondary heading into the 2025 season—and expectations are high for continued improvement on the back end.

There’s no denying the talent in this group has taken a step forward. But one thing is undeniable: everyone is new. Whether it’s incoming transfers like Dillon Thieneman, Theran Johnson, and Jadon Canady, or young returners such as Kingston Lopa and Ify Obidegwu stepping into larger roles, there’s still plenty of uncertainty around how this unit will gel.

If the secondary takes time to build cohesion, it will place additional pressure on the defensive line to consistently generate pressure and shorten the window for routes to develop. A green secondary often leads to breakdowns in coverage, big plays for the opposition, and an offense forced to carry more of the load—especially in the heart of the season when depth and fatigue start to matter.

The good news for Oregon is that the schedule provides some buffer. Only three of the Ducks’ first nine opponents ranked in the Top 60 in passing offense last season. That gives this unit valuable time to come together before facing good aerial attacks like Washington and USC—both of whom finished in the Top 30 last year.

Still, lingering issues in the secondary could prove costly down the line. We’ve seen it the past two seasons: breakdowns on the back end in high-stakes moments have derailed Oregon’s postseason hopes. In the College Football Playoff, you’re guaranteed to face elite quarterbacks and NFL-caliber receivers. If the secondary isn’t sharp by then, 2025 could end in heartbreak once again.