Heading into head coach Dan Lanning’s fourth season, the Oregon Ducks were expected to be a national championship contender despite concerns about the roster’s youth. Those expectations were understandable after the Ducks finished the 2024 season 13–1, won the Big Ten Championship Game, and earned the top seed in the College Football Playoff. Oregon’s season ended with a loss to eventual national champion Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

Oregon finished the 2025 regular season 11–1 and earned the No. 5 seed in the College Football Playoff. The Ducks defeated James Madison 51–34 in the first round before shutting out Texas Tech 23–0 in the Orange Bowl. Their season ended with a 56–22 Peach Bowl loss to eventual national champion Indiana. 

Quarterback Dante Moore led one of the nation’s most productive offenses, throwing for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 71.8 percent of his passes. Oregon ranked 11th nationally in both scoring offense (36.9 points per game) and total offense (452.2 yards per game), while its defense ranked seventh nationally in total defense, allowing 273.7 yards per game. Despite a well-balanced roster, the Ducks lost to Indiana twice because they were outmatched in the trenches and struggled in situational football. Moore was sacked six times and threw two interceptions in the October loss at Autzen Stadium, while Indiana converted 11 of 14 third downs in the Peach Bowl rematch.

Lanning promoted Drew Mehringer from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator after Will Stein became Kentucky’s head coach. Under Mehringer, tight end Kenyon Sadiq caught 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. Mehringer was also the Big 12’s top recruiter and ranked third nationally in 2019, according to 247Sports. During Mehringer’s tenure as Texas’ wide receivers coach, Devin Duvernay ranked fifth nationally with 1,386 receiving yards and earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2019. 

Chris Hampton will take over defensive coordinator duties after Tosh Lupoi became California’s head coach. Hampton will also continue coaching safeties in 2026. During his tenure at Tulane, Hampton helped the Green Wave rank 32nd nationally in scoring defense (22.2 points per game) and 46th in total defense (360.4 yards per game) in 2022. Hampton also oversaw a defensive backs unit that ranked third in the AAC with 12 interceptions in 2019.

Oregon had seven players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, with Sadiq and safety Dillon Thieneman headlining the class. The New York Jets selected Sadiq with the 16th overall pick, giving Geno Smith a dynamic target who can line up in the slot or outside and stretch the field. The Chicago Bears selected Thieneman 25th overall to help replace lost production in the secondary after he recorded 92 total tackles, two interceptions and five pass deflections in 2025.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon in the third round, while defensive back Jalon Canady (Kansas City Chiefs) and linebacker Bryce Boettcher (Indianapolis Colts) were also selected in the third round. Receiver Malik Benson (Las Vegas Raiders) and offensive lineman Alex Harkey (Los Angeles Chargers) rounded out Oregon’s draft class as sixth-round selections.

Noah Whittington and Jordon Davison anchored Oregon’s running game in 2025 after the duo combined for 1,496 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Dierre Hill Jr. provided another productive option out of the backfield, adding 656 yards and five touchdowns. Benson led the receiving corps with team highs of 719 receiving yards and six touchdowns, while Jeremiah McClellan added 557 yards and three touchdowns. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher led the defense with 136 combined tackles, while Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei spearheaded the pass rush with 15.5 combined sacks and four forced fumbles. Brandon Finney Jr. led the secondary with seven pass deflections and three interceptions.

247Sports ranked Oregon’s 2026 incoming transfer class 21st nationally after the Ducks added 15 players through the portal. Quarterback Dylan Raiola transferred from Nebraska, giving Oregon another talented option in its quarterback room. Raiola threw for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2025 before suffering a broken fibula in November. Moore will remain Oregon’s starting quarterback in 2026, giving Raiola an opportunity to develop behind an established starter before potentially taking over the offense in 2027. Minnesota transfer Koi Perich is expected to help fill the void left by Thieneman. 247Sports ranked Perich as the top safety in the transfer portal after he recorded 128 tackles and six interceptions over two seasons at Minnesota. Former Penn State tight end Andrew Olesh could help replace Sadiq’s production while providing another talented option at the position. UNC transfer D’Antre Robinson gives Oregon additional depth along the interior defensive line. Receiver Iverson Brooks transferred from UAB after catching 97 passes for 1,225 yards and 10 touchdowns over four seasons.

ESPN’s Football Power Index ranks Oregon’s schedule as the 26th-hardest in the nation, with Ohio State, USC and Washington highlighting the slate. The Ducks will travel to Columbus, Ohio, to face a talented Buckeyes team featuring Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith in one of college football’s most intimidating environments. The matchup could have significant College Football Playoff implications, with both teams among the favorites to compete for a national championship. A road win would strengthen Oregon’s case for a high playoff seed while giving the Ducks an important résumé victory against another national title contender.

In late September, Oregon will travel to USC for a potential early-season top-25 matchup. The Trojans entered the season ranked inside the top 15 of the preseason AP Top 25 and could challenge Oregon’s defense with an explosive passing game. Jayden Maiava threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns in last season’s meeting despite Oregon’s 42–27 victory.

Oregon will face Washington at home to close out the regular season. Despite ESPN giving the Ducks an 89.6% chance of winning, the Huskies are ranked No. 17 in the preseason AP Top 25 and have significantly improved their roster. Depending on how the season unfolds, Washington could have an opportunity to play spoiler against an Oregon team potentially fighting for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and favorable College Football Playoff positioning.

The Ducks enter the 2026 season with high expectations to compete for a national championship, with ESPN’s FPI giving them a 9.8% chance to win the title. Oregon retains its starting quarterback from 2025 along with key offensive pieces such as receiver Evan Stewart and center Lapani Laloulu, while fielding a formidable front seven and revamped secondary. Despite Laloulu returning for 2026, there is some uncertainty along the offensive line, with the unit relying heavily on young talent and incoming transfers. Oregon’s 2026 season will also hinge on limiting turnovers and improving its red-zone defense. In 2025, opponents scored on 88.9% of their trips inside Oregon’s 20-yard line, exposing an area the Ducks will need to improve against elite competition. Oregon enters the season with the talent to win 11 games and contend for both a Big Ten title and a national championship. Lanning has the pieces to meet those expectations, but it’ll come down to whether Moore can limit turnovers and whether Oregon can execute in situational moments in big games.

FanDuel Sportsbook lists Oregon at +270 to win the Big Ten Championship and +750 to win the national championship.

Oregon Ducks 2026-2027 Schedule & Tickets: