Week 2 of the college football season was intense, featuring the thrilling match between Texas and Ohio State. However, the standout event was Oklahoma State’s surprising victory against the Oregon Ducks. Analysts believed Oregon would be among the best teams in the country this preseason. The Ducks reached the playoffs in 2025, only losing to eventual National Champion Indiana. Their recruiting class was exceptional with four five-star players added to an already strong lineup.
Quarterback Dante Moore made an unexpected return for another season. Despite head coach Dan Lanning replacing two coordinators, the transition was expected to be smooth due to internal promotions. Through the first two games, Oregon was disappointing. They barely defeated Boise State in week one, winning 34-27. In week two, their performance was worse.
Oklahoma State’s defense forced turnovers, yet the Cowboys dominated overall. Running a total of 83 plays, they achieved 554 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per play and 237 rushing yards at nearly six yards per carry. Conversely, Oregon struggled offensively, with their offensive line overwhelmed. Their efforts resulted in a mere 3 yards per carry, accumulating only 281 total yards with 4.8 yards per play.
The final score didn’t reflect the true domination by the Cowboys. Considering Oklahoma State’s previous 12-game losing streak and a loss to Tulsa in week one, their dominance raised several questions.
Reports from Oklahoma State suggested the Cowboys might have gained insights from Oregon’s own mistakes. Defensive end Jaleel Johnson tackled Oregon’s Dante Moore during the second half, showcasing their awareness.
“We noticed their (Oregon’s) offensive line tendencies earlier in the week, allowing us to anticipate their run or pass strategies,” said Tate Romney. “Our defensive line took advantage, providing us a substantial edge.”
Such observations were unexpected, akin to a baseball pitcher inadvertently signaling forthcoming pitches. Landon Tengwall’s show expanded on Andrew Nemec’s discovery involving Moore’s pre-snap setup, deploying two distinct stances for runs versus passes.
Oklahoma State may have capitalized on this, though it remains unclear whether the “tell” was fully exploited. While Oregon’s predictability could be blamed partially, Cowboys players outperformed their matchups. Knowing a pass is imminent offers no assurance if your defensive line falls short.
The Cowboys’ offense also maneuvered effectively against Oregon’s defense without comments on Oregon’s coverage and blitz “tells.” Oregon now faces Portland State, where performance adjustments may not be apparent due to the talent disparity. But with a significant game approaching against No. 12 USC Trojans, Oregon’s coaching staff will routinely analyze footage to correct their predictability.