Mark Ingram fired back at Oregon coach Dan Lanning’s criticism of SEC scheduling practices. The former Alabama running back said there’s “no comparison” between the Ducks’ schedule and what SEC teams face.
Lanning took a shot at the SEC after his No. 6 Oregon team beat No. 15 USC 42-27 to boost their College Football Playoff chances. He suggested SEC contenders “played Chattanooga State” during November while the Big Ten plays nine conference games.
The Oregon coach said this approach differs from “some other places” that schedule tough games late in the season.
Ingram responded on “The Triple Option” podcast, rejecting the idea that late-season “cupcake week” gives the SEC an unfair advantage.
“Everyone else schedules the first 2-3 weeks of the season. What’s the difference? Indiana played Old Dominion, Kennesaw State and Indiana State to start. Oregon played Montana State and Oklahoma State.”
“Really, what’s the difference? There’s no difference in scheduling. But at the end of the day, there is no comparison between Oregon’s schedule and Alabama’s schedule. Same with Georgia’s, Florida’s, any of them.”
Ingram highlighted how SEC teams face tough opponents early in the season. Texas A&M opened with Notre Dame. Alabama scheduled Florida State. Georgia lined up marquee clashes in September rather than November.
Oregon enters Saturday with ranked wins over No. 3 Penn State and No. 20 Iowa. Both teams have since fallen from playoff contention, which hurts those victories’ value.
The Ducks can lock up a CFP spot with a win over Washington on Saturday. That would mean a second straight trip to the playoff.
Ingram closed his argument by pointing to the schedules themselves.
“Proof is on film, proof is in schedule, and the schedules speak for themselves.”
