Before the 2023 college football season had even started, Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning made his way into the headlines. It was surprising, too, because Lanning has not been one to insert himself into the public narrative very often.
However, at Oregon’s annual media day, Lanning was asked about the recent move from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 for the Colorado Buffaloes, and what his reaction was like when he found out about the move.
“Not a big reaction, I’m trying to remember what they won to effect this conference when they were part of it,” Lanning said. “I don’t remember.”
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He said nothing of Deion Sanders and the current program, but rather commented on the overall success of the Buffs throughout the past decade, of which there has been very little.
It should come as no surprise that those comments have been misconstrued, though, especially with the meteoric rise that the Buffs have seen over the past month, getting off to a 3-0 start and gaining a No. 19 ranking.
So while Lanning made no remarks on this current Colorado team, his comments have been turned into “bulletin board material” for Sanders and the Buffs, especially with the Buffs coming to Eugene in Week 4. On Monday night, Lanning was asked whether or not he regretted his comments from earlier in the year.
Dan Lanning was asked about whether or not he regrets what he said about Colorado back at Oregon’s media day in July. pic.twitter.com/G0F8hYqLMD
— Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) September 19, 2023
At the moment, the Ducks are 21-point favorites over Colorado. The Buffaloes are playing without one of their best players — Travis Hunter — and are coming off of a double-overtime win against the winless Colorado State Rams.
Regardless of what actually happens on the field, or how competitive of a game it will end up being, we can be sure that the noise leading up to Saturday is going to be entertaining to follow.
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