Jonathan Stewart Believes Dan Lanning and Oregon Can Make Huge Impact in the Big Ten

Dan Lanning could lead Oregon to big things in the Big Ten Conference.

The Oregon Ducks are set to make their Big Ten debut this season, and head coach Dan Lanning can do something special by leading the team to the College Football Playoffs and even a National Championship. 

Former Ducks and NFL running back Jonathan Stewart spoke on Bleav Network's Sco-ing Long Podcast about Lanning's character and his chances are the team making a mark on the conference next season. 

"You know his boldness. You said you said it right. And I think as a player, you want a coach that would go to war for you, to go to bat for you. He strikes me as a guy that if you're going to show up and you're going to put your all into this craft, put your all into this team, I got your back. I'll do whatever it takes to make you the best player that you can possibly be. And so I would run through a wall for a guy like that, you know?"

via Jonathan Stewart, Sco-ing Long Podcast

Stewart is alluding to Lanning being the kind of coach who can rally his players, and that was certainly proven by their having a 12-2 record and a huge Fiesta Bowl win against Liberty. 

Lanning could have easily taken a big NFL job like many college coaches have this season, but instead—he will try and lead his team to the promised land in the Big Ten Conference. 

"This is the University of Oregon. I'm building something great. Right. And I have an opportunity to go to the Big Ten. Shoot. The Big Ten's about to be probably, you know, SEC, the everybody's, you know, been super hyped about the SEC for the last decade or so, right? Probably for the last 20 years, actually. So. But probably 30 years. But I think what we're seeing right now, like I said earlier, we're seeing a shift. And right now, the Big Ten is legitimate. It's legitimately the big conference."

via Jonathan Stewart, Sco-ing Long Podcast

Oregon was only one loss behind Washington in the Pac-12, and they ended up going to the National Championship. Washington, unfortunately, could not take down the Michigan Wolverines, but both Oregon and Washington will have their shot to do so next season. 

The Big Ten was already chock full of good teams and with Oregon, USC, and UCLA joining the conference's ranks—we could be seeing a much more exciting change of pace from the SEC hosting the premiere NCAAF teams.