Oregon is about to find out whether it opens the college football season at the top of the mountain.
Monday’s unveiling of the Preseason AP Poll will hand out the first national rankings of the year, and the Ducks are squarely in the center of the conversation. They’re already on the short list of national title favorites, which means anything less than elite status would feel like a letdown around Eugene. Dan Lanning even joked in an interview with Next Round Live that he wished the Ducks would always be picked 137th, but that’s not the reality facing Oregon now.
The real question is simple: will the Ducks be No. 1?
Everyone expects Oregon to land near the top, but the spotlight is on whether the AP voters put them in the first slot. When the Coaches Poll came out, Oregon checked in at No. 2 behind Ohio State.
The Buckeyes received 38 first-place votes, while the Ducks got six, and Ohio State finished only 104 points ahead. That gap leaves plenty of room for a flip if AP voters lean a little more toward Oregon.
The top of the poll should have a familiar cast. Only seven teams are in the mix for No. 1, with six programs earning first-place votes in the coaches poll.
Miami also figures to be a popular name in the AP voting. Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, Notre Dame and Georgia are among the likeliest contenders for the top spot, and the defending national champions deserve their place in the discussion as well.
Of course, preseason rankings are just a starting point. Last year’s No. 1 team, Texas, didn’t even reach the College Football Playoff. The poll is still catnip for fans, though, and if Oregon does land at No. 1, it will only crank up the buzz for what could be a historic season.
In Other News...
Oregon Faces New Defensive Questions As Tony Tuioti Addresses Key Absence
Tony Tuiotis latest update on Tony Cumberland offered a reminder that Oregons defensive line room is still dealing with more than just the usual preseason churn. The freshman lineman is recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident, and while he is not taking part on the field, he remains around the program and involved with the team as he works through the aftermath.
The timing adds another layer to a defense already adjusting after Tosh Lupois departure, with Chris Hampton promoted to defensive coordinator. For Oregon, the personnel picture on that side of the ball is shifting in multiple directions at once, and Cumberlands situation is another one the Ducks will have to navigate as they sort out depth, development and available bodies for the season ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon's Tank Jones Is Forcing His Way Into A Loaded Rotation
Oregons defensive front already looked deep with all four key starters set to return for the 2026 season, a group that includes Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, Bear Alexander and AMauri Washington. With so much proven talent back after those players opted to forgo the NFL Draft, there is plenty of competition for snaps, but defensive line coach Tony Tuioti has also spent the offseason pointing to the younger wave behind them as part of the reason the room feels so strong.
Among the names drawing attention is Anthony Tank Jones Jr., along with Aydin Breland, Matt Johnson and DAntre Robinson, all of whom Tuioti said have shown versatility and growth through spring and fall camp. The returning starters still set the tone with their leadership and experience, but the real intrigue for Oregon is how quickly that next layer can push its way into the rotation and turn a loaded group into something even deeper. [Read more 🡒]
Malik Benson Just Put Autzen Fans On Notice Again
Malik Bensons time in Eugene was short, but it made a real impact. After transferring in from Alabama and Florida State, he settled in as Dante Moores top receiving threat and helped push Oregon to a second straight College Football Playoff appearance in 2025, giving Ducks fans one more electric season to remember from a receiver room that always seemed to have a play waiting to happen.
Now beginning his NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders, Benson has not forgotten where that support came from. He has already spoken about how much Oregon fans meant to him, a reminder that even one season in Autzen can leave a lasting impression when a player delivers in the biggest moments and leaves a fan base wanting to follow his next step. [Read more 🡒]