Oregon HC Dan Lanning Leaning on the Resiliency of His Team This Year

The Oregon Ducks' hearts are still beating, and now, it is more than just having life; they are absolutely back in the mix and should be feeling like they are going to be making a run at the College Football Playoff. 

It's not a long shot to envision them climbing up the rankings. As they stand right now with the No. 16 ranking, they are well within shouting distance of the final spot that gets in, which is No. 11. 

More importantly, they are the top-ranked three-loss team in the country, which sets them up nicely in case chaos ensues below them. 

While they aren't totally in control of their own destiny, they are still in the fight. 

One absolutely true thing is that nobody, and I mean nobody, in the Playoff right now wants to see the Ducks on the other side of their Playoff ledger. As Oregon has discovered its identity, they have been reminded that they have elite players all over the field, and they are starting to use them properly. 

One of the reasons why they are such a scary opponent to face is because of all of the adversity that they have faced to this point. This team has seen it all.

They have experienced losses, injuries, coach firings, off-field issues, and so much more. Through it all, they have stayed resilient and stayed the course. Now, as they have gotten through all of the tough parts of the season, they have come out on the other side, hardened, and still have a chance to make a run.

Their run begins this week with a matchup against the Michigan Wolverines, who, completely opposite of Oregon, are in a full tailspin right now. Then, they head back east to take on the Michigan State Spartans before finishing their season against the Washington Huskies.

They have three straight weeks of really tough opponents in their own right, with literally everything on the line.

Keep winning, and their hopes stay alive. Lose? Well, if you lose, the season is completely over. 

Thankfully, just as they showed the world against Ohio State is that youre going to need to beat this team more than once. The resiliency that they have built through all of their adversity is nothing short of impressive.

Down 14-0 against the Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium? No problem at all; they rip 41 straight points while bullying the bully up and down the field.

They are going to be a really hard team to beat, and it is thanks to exactly what they have experienced this year.