The matchup between Michigan and Oregon was supposed to be a big one in paper during the preseason.

Both teams have underperformed this season, but the Wolverines program has certainly been worse. Michigan fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck before playing Oregon amid a 5-4 start. 

Oregon's offense received a boost after firing offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer and promoting Jay Johnson to play-calling duties. The same cannot be said for Jim Harding, who called a game that resulted in just a touchdown in Michigan's 31-7 loss to Oregon.

Here are three things that stood out in the Ducks' win on Saturday.

The Ducks had a bit of a quarterback musical chairs this season after Dante Moore suffered a season-ending hit against USC on Sept. 27. Both quarterback Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas struggled under Mehringer. After a 21-10 loss to Illinois, it was unclear if Raiola would be Oregon's starter for 2027. 

He appears to be the guy after leading the Ducks to a third straight win. He went 20 of 28 passing for 341 yards and four touchdowns against a good Wolverines defense. In his last three starts, Raiola has thrown for nine touchdowns and no interceptions. With a new offensive coordinator in 2027, Raiola could be the guy that leads Oregon back to the College Football Playoff.

Michigan's offense is bad. There's no way to sugar coat that, and Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham voiced his displeasure with the unit during his postgame news conference.

Still, the Ducks defense made life tough for Michigan. They limited quarterbacks Tommy Carr and Bryce Underwood to only 71 yards. They went a combined 6 of 20 passing.

Michigan did earn 215 yards on 40 carries, with Savion Hiter scoring a touchdown. But the running game was never going to be a threat after Oregon got up 14 points in the first quarter. Oregon outgained Michigan 467-286 in total yards.

On Oct. 24, Oregon's season appeared to be over. The Ducks fell to 4-3 with a loss to Illinois. Oregon would go onto rule out Moore for the remainder of the season and fired Mehringer.

Oregon is now 7-3 overall and ranked No. 16. They will finish the season against Michigan State and Washington. The Ducks are tied with Ohio State for third place in the Big Ten, and the conference championship is not out of reach, though ti appears a long shot.