The Oregon Ducks’ Nov. 14 matchup with the Michigan Wolverines is already drawing attention, and the early numbers say Autzen Stadium is expected to be a tough place for the visitors.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Oregon is a 13.5-point favorite for the game, with the over/under sitting at 53.5 points. That line could move once both teams get deeper into the first two months of the season, but for now it points to a Ducks team that oddsmakers believe has the edge.
This one also comes with plenty of familiar faces and a little extra intrigue. Oregon coach Dan Lanning will be matched up against first-year Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham, and the Wolverines are expected to arrive with sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood at the center of the conversation. Oregon fans will be hoping Autzen turns loud and hostile for Underwood and Michigan on a night that shapes up as one of the biggest games on the Ducks’ schedule.
The last time these teams met, Oregon handled Michigan 38-17 on Nov. 3, 2024, at the Big House in Ann Arbor. That was Oregon’s first season in the Big Ten, and the Ducks were led by Dillon Gabriel, then the No. 1-ranked team in the country.
Gabriel threw for 294 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-34 passing and also added a rushing score. Jordan James helped power the win as well, finishing with 23 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown.
This year’s quarterback matchup will look very different. Moore enters the season as one of the top returning quarterbacks in college football and a Heisman Trophy contender.
In his first season as Oregon’s starter, he passed for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also decided to pass on the 2026 NFL Draft, despite being viewed as a top prospect, and is back in Eugene with a focus on sharpening his leadership and cleaning up turnovers as he tries to guide the Ducks to their first national championship in program history.
For Michigan, the spotlight falls on Underwood. In his first season as the Wolverines’ starting quarterback, he threw for 2,428 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His decision-making will be a major factor if Michigan is going to pull the upset in Eugene.
The Wolverines will also lean on running back Jordan Marshall, who rushed for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He’ll be trying to do damage against an Oregon defensive front that brings back all of its notable starters, including Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, Bear Alexander and A’Mauri Washington.
There’s also a little history baked into this one. The Nov. 14 meeting will be the first at Autzen Stadium since 2003, when Oregon won 31-27. The all-time series is tied at three, and the Ducks have taken the last three meetings dating back to 2003.
Lanning has also had success against Whittingham before. When Whittingham was at Utah, Oregon went 2-0 against the Utes under Lanning, including a 20-17 win in Eugene in 2022 and a 35-6 road win in Salt Lake City.
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Oregon May Need Simeon Price Sooner Than Expected
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There is also at least some uncertainty around Davison, which has made Prices role look even more important than it did a few weeks ago. Samples has not sounded alarmed, noting that Davison has been practicing well and pushing through his recovery, but the Ducks may still have to lean on Price sooner than expected if they want to keep the backfield stable early in 2026. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Next Quarterback Battle Is Starting To Come Into Focus
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Tristin Gaines has emerged as one of the more interesting names in that search, with the Texas standout saying Oregon is recruiting him the hardest. The Ducks are also in the mix for Donald Tabron II and Josiah Boyd as part of that same 2028 push, a reminder that this is less about one splash commitment than building a sustained plan at the sports most important position. For Oregon, the next quarterback battle is already being fought on the recruiting trail, and the early reads suggest the staff has real momentum even if the full picture is still coming into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Dierre Hill Jr. Could Give Oregon A New Kind Of Weapon
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What makes Hill interesting is not just the added work behind the scenes, but the way Oregon plans to use him. Coaches see him as more than a backfield piece now, and they expect to move him around in multiple spots as his understanding of the offense continues to deepen. If that progression holds, Hill could become one of the more dynamic and flexible weapons on the roster. [Read more 🡒]