EUGENE — Next week’s clash between No. 6 Oregon and Iowa will feature two of the top 10 defenses in the country and some of the best defensive minds in the game.

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker won the Broyles Award in 2023, a long overdue accolade for one of the top assistants in the sport. Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein was a finalist that year, making the chess match between their respective units on Nov. 8 particularly compelling, and Ducks defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi was semifinalist last year for the award honoring the top assistant coach in college football.

Parker is a guy “that I’ve got unbelievable respect for,” said Oregon coach Dan Lanning, a two-time Broyles finalist during his time at Georgia. “The job they do on defense, the way their guys play with th

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