The Associated Press top 25 ranking was released for the first time on Monday morning, and the Oregon Ducks are sitting pretty.
The AP has Dan Lanning and his team ranked as the No. 3 team in the nation, sitting behind, the Georgia Bulldogs and Ohio State Buckeyes. This matches the Ducks’ highest preseason ranking in program history, joining the 2011 team, the 2013 team, and the 2014 team.
In 2011, Oregon finished the year ranked No. 4 in the final AP top 25; in 2013, they finished No. 9, and in 2014, they finished ranked No. 2.
The No. 3 ranking goes along with what we’ve seen from other national polls this preseason as well. Last week, the US LBM Coaches Poll was released, and the Ducks also sat behind Georgia and Ohio State in the rankings.
Following Oregon in the polls are the Texas Longhorns, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Ole Miss Rebels.
The Ducks have high expectations going into the 2024 season, with a Heisman Trophy candidate under center in Dillon Gabriel. Most analysts expect Oregon to make it to the College Football Playoff this year and contend for a Big Ten Championship game as first-year members of the conference.
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