Dan Lanning seems to struggle with rematches. Following Indiana’s significant victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl, Coach Curt Cignetti emphasized how challenging it is to defeat a competitive team multiple times. This sentiment was echoed through his media interactions leading up to the Peach Bowl clash against Oregon. After Indiana’s decisive 56-22 victory, one questions if Cignetti truly believed his mantra, especially given how Lanning’s Ducks have continuously faltered in these repeat scenarios.

The game began tumultuously for Oregon when quarterback Dante Moore threw a pick-six on the first play, an early sign of trouble as Indiana surged to a 35-7 lead by halftime and ultimately finished 56-22.

This reflects previous rematches for Oregon, notably last year’s Rose Bowl where they again faced off against Ohio State. Despite a thrilling October matchup in 2024 where Oregon triumphed 32-31, their rematch ended in a blowout defeat, with Oregon trailing significantly at halftime. Such trend raises questions about the Ducks’ ability to learn and adapt, raising concerns about their trajectory as a top-tier program.

In a broader context, while Indiana has showcased strength throughout the season and might claim the national title soon, Oregon’s status as a title contender also remains visibly strained by these recent defeats.