Two Big Ten programs with far different attainable goals headline Fox's Friday night college football slate when the Oregon Ducks play host to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Eugene.
The Ducks (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) kept their conference title hopes alive with a game-winning field goal against the Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) this past Saturday in Iowa City, 18-16.
Now it returns home intending to hold off a pesky Golden Gophers (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) team that managed to escape the lowly Michigan State Spartans (3-6, 0-6 Big Ten) 11 days ago with a 23-20 overtime triumph in Minneapolis to become bowl eligible.
Golden Gophers coach P.J. Fleck spoke candidly about the respect he has for Lanning, amid the program turnaround he has instituted in recent years.
"I think Lanning doesn’t get enough credit for how he connects that football team, how invested they are, how good they are, how well they play collectively together, especially on the defensive side of the ball," Fleck told reporters. "We know he’s a really good defensive mind. He’s a great person, he’s a great coach."
Fleck said he recognizes the challenges the Ducks present, implying the talent gap between both programs is clearly apparent.
"When you’re talking about the defensive side, they have incredible talent over there," Fleck said. "It’s one thing to have it; another to connect it, have them all play together, understand how the top affects the bottom and vice versa. Oregon presents a lot of challenges. Whether it’s the front seven or the back end, they’re deep at every position, they’re good at every position. They don’t have many flaws, that’s for sure."
Ducks quarterback Dante Moore has continued to impress over the past few weeks, throwing 19 touchdowns to four interception s while maintaining a 69.4 QBR.
Should the Golden Gophers come away victorious in an upset-like fashion, pressure to win the big games will likely fade from Fleck's preconceived notions, from the national media, or from the CFP committee, showing the CFP committee that yet another three-loss team deserves love in the rankings.
Either way, we'll find out the answer once the Big Ten's Week 12 schedule begins later this week.
For now, though, the respect factor will have to try to translate into an instant classic come kickoff time. It's set for 9 p.m. ET.