Why did the Oregon Ducks lose their playoff game last year?

The Oregon Ducks lost their playoff game last year partly due to a prolonged holiday layoff that caused rust and a significant deficit.

How are the Oregon Ducks preparing differently for the CFP this year?

This year, the Ducks took an early strategic break to reset, regain energy, and focus on mental and physical readiness, learning from last year's rust.

What lessons did Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks learn from the last CFP?

Coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks learned the detrimental effects of extended rest causing rust and are now implementing a more adaptive preparation strategy.

Home / Sports / Oregon Ducks' Fresh Legs, Renewed Hunger for CFP Run

Oregon Ducks' Fresh Legs, Renewed Hunger for CFP Run

20 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Oregon learned from last year's holiday layoff affecting performance.
Players took an early break to reset, regain energy, and find hunger.
This year's preparation is more strategic, focusing on mental readiness.

Oregon Ducks' Fresh Legs, Renewed Hunger for CFP Run

A year after a demoralizing playoff loss attributed to a lengthy holiday layoff, the Oregon Ducks are adopting a significantly different strategy for their upcoming College Football Playoff appearance. The team's preparation this time emphasizes learning from past mistakes, focusing on a strategic approach to rest and readiness.

This year's break was taken shortly after the playoff schedule's announcement, allowing players to manage academics and then step away from facilities. This facilitated a mental reset, with players like Noah Whittington reporting a "breath of fresh air" and returning with "tremendous energy." Kenyon Sadiq noted the benefit of a mental break and physical recovery.