The Big Ten has spent the last three seasons sitting on top of college football, with three straight national championships from three different programs. So the question hanging over 2026 is simple enough: does somebody finally pry the conference off that perch, or does the run keep rolling?
Oregon is one of the loudest answers in the offseason conversation.
The Ducks have stacked six straight double-digit win seasons, not counting the COVID-shortened year, and they’ve been knocking on the door for what feels like forever. They’ve made the College Football Playoff in each of the last two seasons, only to run into the eventual national champion and watch their season end there. Even now, the roster looks built to push again, with Oregon bringing back 66% of its production from last year - tied for No. 10 in college football.
At the center of it all is quarterback Dante Moore. He put up 3,565 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 71.8% of his throws. He was projected to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but chose to stay in Eugene and chase a national title instead.
That kind of move is exactly why the Ducks are drawing so much attention. On The Athletic’s Ralph Russo appeared on "The Paul Finebaum Show," and when he was asked which team could break through, he pointed straight at Oregon.
"I think Oregon, it does feel like it's Oregon's turn now," Russo said. "It felt like it was Penn State's turn last year, and we all know how that worked out... that Dan Lanning's program has gotten to the point where it almost feels a little... breakthrough is inevitable."
Dan Lanning has turned Oregon into a powerhouse, but the familiar problem still hangs over the program. The Ducks have been close for years, and close has been the frustrating part.
Since 2008, Oregon has posted 13 double-digit win seasons. It has reached the College Football Playoff three times and the national championship game twice in that span. The first trip came in 2010, when Auburn beat the Ducks 22-19 on a late field goal.
What has followed has been the tougher part of the story. In the national championship or College Football Playoff games that have ended Oregon’s seasons since then, the Ducks have been beaten by 20 points or more all three times.
Oregon has won three playoff games over that stretch, which only sharpens the contrast. When the level of competition rises, the Ducks still haven’t found the answer. That’s the piece Lanning has to change in 2026.
In Other News...
Former Oregon First Rounder Already Facing An NFL Setback
Kenyon Sadiqs arrival in the NFL has come with a little more uncertainty than the Jets probably wanted after making him a first-round pick in 2026. The former Oregon tight end is expected to be ready for training camp, but offseason recovery has already put him in catch-up mode, which is hardly ideal for a rookie trying to carve out a role before the pads come on.
For Oregon fans, it is another reminder that even the most promising pro transitions can get complicated fast. Sadiq was viewed as one of the better young pieces in New Yorks offensive plan, and the team still likes the matchup potential he brings. Still, starting behind because of recovery means the next phase of his development will be about making up ground, not just showing why he was drafted so highly. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Recruiting Momentum Just Took A Hit On A Huge Day
A busy recruiting day brought a mixed result for Oregon, which saw one of its offensive line targets come off the board after building a class with several front-line additions already in place. The Ducks have been able to shift some attention to other needs as the board tightens, and that broader approach has kept momentum alive even when one pursuit doesn't break their way.
Still, the day is far from over in Eugene, where a pair of coveted cornerbacks are expected to make their decisions later. With the offensive line room largely addressed, those defensive announcements now loom as the next chance for Oregon to turn a setback into a bigger win for its 2025 class. [Read more 🡒]