When Oregon football coach Dan Lanning plopped down at a dais of red roses to face postgame questions in the wake of the Ducks’ 20-point loss at the Rose Bowl, it was too early to ponder the future. The game had been a disaster.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are massive 9.5-point favorites to beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to become the 2024-25 College Football National Champions. The Or