It'll be one of the most interesting years we've seen in college athletics and a lot of it has to do with all of the realignment that took place recently. One of the schools that landed softly in a new conference is Oregon, which will begin play in the Big Ten along with three of its former Pac-12 brethren.
But how it'll all go is anyone's guess. There are travel concerns, a different culture and style of play, and a little more competition to deal with than what Oregon has seen over the last few years. It all has inquiring minds wondering how things will play out in 2024, and if the Ducks really are Big Ten and national title players this fall.
Here's a look at three questions we all want answered and will surely be addressed during Big Ten media days.
3. Can Dillon Gabriel be Bo Nix 2.0?
Fishing for and catching a top-level transfer quarterback worked so well for head coach Dan Lanning and company when Bo Nix backed the U-Haul up from Auburn to Eugene that the coaching staff is trying to replicate it. This time, former Oklahoma quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, was targeted with success as he begins his time under center. Oregon is expected to be a national title contender this season, but it'll need Gabriel to hit the ground running and be a playmaker at the position for that to happen.
2. How will Oregon fit in the Big Ten?
You can say what you want about football being football, but the Big Ten is different than the Pac-12. The defenses are more stingy and the travel could take its toll, especially for the West Coast teams that have to make the trip halfway across the country more than others. Oregon's offense might not have the success we've seen in the Pac-12 and it may have to win games with its defense from time to time. The jury is out on how that will all go.
1. What about Ohio State?
To win the Big Ten, the Ducks will most likely have to go through Ohio State. The good news is that the Buckeyes come to Eugene, but that's still going to be the one whale of a mountain to climb with all OSU has coming back and what it got through the transfer portal. Circle the date of October 12, because it's going to be can't miss television and could be the difference between winning the Big Ten and sitting on the sidelines and rolling the dice to be in the 12-team College Football Playoff.