Dan Lanning, the head coach of the Oregon Ducks, shared a blunt and honest message about the College Football Playoff (CFP) race, particularly for teams with three losses. As the playoff picture tightens with the season winding down, Lanning didn’t mince words about the realities facing teams on the bubble—especially those with multiple losses.
Lanning emphasized the importance of consistency and making a strong case for a playoff berth. In a landscape where undefeated and one-loss teams are often prioritized, he acknowledged the difficulty three-loss teams face when trying to break into the playoff discussion. He pointed out that while an argument could be made for some of these teams, their chances are limited by the margin for error that the CFP selection committee typically allows.
A major part of his message was that teams with three losses would need to demonstrate elite-level performances in their remaining games to have any shot at securing a playoff spot. Lanning noted that the strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and overall quality of play will heavily factor into whether a three-loss team can crack the top four. Without a clear path to victory in high-stakes games, teams with three losses are at a distinct disadvantage, and no amount of hope or argument would be enough if they didn’t consistently prove themselves against the nation’s best.
Additionally, Lanning stressed that the committee doesn’t have the luxury of rewarding mediocrity. Teams that perform inconsistently throughout the season or lose key games often find themselves on the outside looking in. For teams in the three-loss category, it becomes imperative not only to win but to do so decisively. A narrow win over a struggling opponent, for example, won’t carry the same weight as a dominating victory over a ranked or undefeated team.
The coach also acknowledged that the landscape of college football can sometimes be unpredictable, and sometimes, unexpected results happen that could shift the narrative for a three-loss team. But he remained firm in the belief that a team must prove its worth and not rely on external factors such as the misfortunes of other programs.
In the end, Lanning’s message to teams on the playoff bubble with three losses was clear: earn a playoff spot by playing elite football, winning big games, and demonstrating dominance. Without that, hopes for a playoff berth would likely remain just that—hopes.
