The Oregon Ducks’ 2026 football schedule is officially locked in, and it’s shaping up to be another high-stakes campaign for a program that’s coming off a 13-2 season and a 7-1 mark in Big Ten play. From a marquee opener against Boise State to a season finale that could have playoff implications against Washington, the Ducks’ path is lined with both opportunity and landmines.
Let’s break it all down-from the early non-conference tilts to the heart of Big Ten play and that always-heated rivalry game to close things out.
2026 Oregon Ducks Football Schedule
- Sept. 5: vs. Boise State (Autzen Stadium)
- Sept. 12: at Oklahoma State
- Sept. 19: vs.
Portland State (Autzen Stadium)
- Sept. 26: at USC
- Oct. 3: Bye
- Oct. 10: vs. UCLA (Autzen Stadium)
- Oct. 17: vs. Nebraska (Autzen Stadium)
- Oct. 24: at Illinois
- Oct. 31: vs.
Northwestern (Autzen Stadium)
- Nov. 7: at Ohio State
- Nov. 14: vs. Michigan (Autzen Stadium)
- Nov. 21: at Michigan State
- Nov. 28: vs.
Washington (Autzen Stadium)
Early Season Tune-Ups, With a Twist
Sept. 5 - vs. Boise State
The Ducks open the season at home against a familiar but historically tricky opponent. While Oregon finally broke through with its first win over Boise State in 2024-a narrow 37-34 victory at Autzen-the Broncos still hold a 3-1 edge in the all-time series.
Boise State is transitioning into the new-look Pac-12, and while they went 9-4 last season, Oregon will be looking to assert early dominance and avoid a Week 1 stumble.
Sept. 12 - at Oklahoma State
Oregon heads to Stillwater to close out a home-and-home with the Cowboys.
The last meeting was a blowout-Oregon rolled 69-3 in Eugene-and it marked the end of the Mike Gundy era. Oklahoma State has since gone all-in on the transfer portal, bringing in 54 new players under new head coach Eric Morris.
It's a roster overhaul that should make this matchup more competitive, but Oregon still enters as the clear favorite.
Sept. 19 - vs. Portland State
The Ducks host FCS opponent Portland State for the seventh time since 1994. Oregon has dominated this series, including an 81-7 drubbing in 2023.
The Vikings come in with a new head coach, Chris Fisk, but barring a miracle, this one should be a tune-up before conference play begins.
Big Ten Gauntlet Starts Early
Sept. 26 - at USC
Oregon’s Big Ten debut doesn’t come with any easing in-it’s straight to the Coliseum to face USC.
The Ducks have had the Trojans’ number lately, winning six of the last seven matchups, including a 42-27 win last season. But the Trojans, led by quarterback Jayden Maiava, are no pushover.
Maiava threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s loss to the Ducks, and he’ll be looking for revenge on home turf.
Oct. 10 - vs. UCLA
After a bye week, Oregon returns home to face a Bruins program that’s been in flux. Bob Chesney is UCLA’s third head coach in as many seasons, and he’s bringing a familiar flavor-he last faced the Ducks as the head coach of James Madison in the CFP, a game Oregon won 51-34.
Chesney has already dipped into the portal, bringing over 41 new players, including 10 from JMU. Lanning is 2-0 against UCLA, and the Ducks have won five straight in the series.
Oct. 17 - vs. Nebraska
This one comes with some added narrative. Oregon backup quarterback Dylan Raiola will face his former team for the first time.
Raiola’s decision to leave a starting job at Nebraska to sit behind Oregon’s starter says a lot about the gap between the two programs. Nebraska went 7-6 last year, but this will be the first time these two meet as Big Ten foes.
Midseason Road Test Stretch
Oct. 24 - at Illinois
Oregon heads to Champaign for what could be a sneaky-tough matchup.
The Ducks handled Illinois easily in 2024 with a 38-9 win, but the Illini bounced back to go 9-4 last season under Bret Bielema. Still, Oregon leads the all-time series 3-1 and will look to stay perfect in Big Ten road games to this point.
Oct. 31 - vs. Northwestern
The Ducks and Wildcats are becoming familiar foes after not playing for over 50 years. Oregon won last year’s matchup 34-14 in Evanston.
Northwestern went 7-4 last season and has shown signs of life, but Oregon should have the upper hand at home.
November: Championship Implications Loom Large
Nov. 7 - at Ohio State
Circle this one in bold red ink.
Oregon heads to the Horseshoe to face an Ohio State team that brings back quarterback Julian Sayin and standout wideout Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes went 12-2 last year and fell to Miami in the CFP quarterfinals, but this game could very well determine who gets a ticket to the Big Ten title game.
The Ducks have won two of the last three meetings, but Ohio State got the last laugh in the 2024 Rose Bowl with a convincing 42-21 win.
Nov. 14 - vs. Michigan
Oregon hosts the Wolverines for the first time since 2003, and it comes at a time when Michigan is trying to rediscover its footing. After a 9-4 season, head coach Sherrone Moore was let go and replaced by longtime Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham.
Michigan will be leaning on sophomore QB Bryce Underwood, who had growing pains last year but is loaded with potential. The Ducks have won three straight in this series and will look to make it four.
Nov. 21 - at Michigan State
The Spartans have struggled to find consistency since their 11-2 season in 2021.
They’re now under the leadership of Pat Fitzgerald, the longtime Northwestern coach who’s looking to rebuild a program that’s gone 18-30 over the past four seasons. Oregon leads the all-time series 5-3 and should be favored here, but late November road games in the Midwest are never easy.
Nov. 28 - vs. Washington: Rivalry, Revenge, and Playoff Stakes
There’s no better way to close the regular season than with Oregon-Washington. The Ducks have won the last two meetings, including a 26-14 win in Seattle last season.
Quarterback Desmond Williams Jr. is back for the Huskies, despite a messy attempt to enter the transfer portal. Oregon’s defense has made life miserable for him, sacking him 14 times over the last two games.
This will be the third consecutive year these two close the season against each other, and with both teams expected to be in the Big Ten title hunt, this one could carry massive postseason implications.
Final Takeaways
- No back-to-back road games: That’s a welcome scheduling quirk for the Ducks, especially with trips to USC, Ohio State, and Michigan State on the docket.
- Only one back-to-back home stretch: That’s down from two last year, meaning Oregon will need to make the most of its home-field advantage at Autzen.
- One bye week (Oct. 3): Fewer breaks than last season, so depth and durability will be tested.
The Ducks are built to contend, and this schedule sets the stage for another run at the Big Ten crown-and perhaps more. From early statement games to heavyweight November showdowns, Oregon’s 2026 journey promises to be a wild ride. Buckle up.