When Dylan Raiola left Nebraska for Oregon, the expectation was that the earliest the Huskers would face their former starting quarterback would be in 2027, after the Ducks’ current QB1, Dante Moore, finally left for the NFL. However, there are rumblings that Raiola could take over the starting spot much sooner. If that materializes, NU could have a showdown this year with its former star.
Famed radio host Chuck Oliver recently talked about how he feels things could unfold as the 2026 season goes on. “I picked Oregon as my No. 1 team this season,” Oliver said, opening his diatribe. “The very real scenario … I’m not saying they could have a season that leads them to a December 27 Bowl game in a baseball stadium because that’s what happened to Clemson and Penn State.”
“Not saying that, not saying just that,” Oliver continued. “There’s a very weird scenario to me that is suddenly very real, and I mean I would have never whispered it three weeks ago.”
Oliver then went on to digress a bit as he confirmed that Moore would have been a very high draft pick if he had gone to the NFL Draft last winter. And then he dropped the bomb that should have Nebraska and Oregon fans alike on the edge of their seats.
Dante Moore's struggles spark speculation about Dylan Raiola starting against Nebraska
“He could get benched this season as a college quarterback. I don’t know that he will, and I’m not predicting it … but he could get benched this season.”
Oliver then went on to say that when Raiola left Nebraska for Oregon, some people believed he should have waited until Moore decided whether to stay in Eugene or go pro. Moore announced he was coming back for one more season just days after Raiola pulled the trigger on his transfer.
Soon after, some believed Raiola might find a way to transfer again to go somewhere he could start this season. Those rumors never became more than long-shot whispers, and he eventually said he was perfectly fine spending a year with Oregon learning the position under Moore’s tutelage.
So far this season, Moore has not looked nearly as sharp as he did a year ago. Oregon struggled offensively in its season-opening win against Boise State and struggled mightily in the first half of its loss to Oklahoma State the following week.
Not long after the Cowboys took down the Ducks, news reports surfaced that Moore was tipping plays by the way he stood in the backfield, and new OSU head coach Eric Morris alluded to that helping his defense in the 39-31 upset.
Moore played well in Oregon’s third game, an 84-0 win over Portland State. Raiola also did well, completing all 11 pass attempts for 124 yards and 3 touchdowns.
“There’s a scenario,” Oliver continued. “Just park it in the back of your mind that in Week 8 or Week 9, Dante Moore’s not injured, or he’s “injured,” and somebody else -whoever it is - that’s a real thing.”
Just how real a “thing” it is isn’t known yet. The idea that Moore could be benched if he continues to struggle isn’t totally out of the question, but it feels extremely unlikely. It’s even less likely Moore will be benched by the Nebraska game, but if he really bottoms out against USC and UCLA, there are at least rumblings out there that Dylan Raiola could face his old teammates sooner than anyone expected.
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