Do the Ducks Have Enough to Overcome Past Year's Postseason Failures in 2026?

Until the Oregon Ducks avenge the loss that the Ohio State Buckeyes handed them two years ago in the Rose Bowl, it is going to be hard for anyone to rank the Ducks ahead of the Buckeyes.

While it doesn't feel like a loss on the first day of 2025 should have anything to do with any rankings now, the sentiment surrounding the Oregon program is that they can't win the big game. Two years in a row, Oregon has been amazing in the regular season only to get pounded in the College Football Playoffs. 

In 2024, it was against Ohio State, and last year, they ran into an absolute buzzsaw that was the Indiana Hoosiers, who mercilessly took them out 56-22 to go to the National Championship.

All of that is hopefully water under the bridge as every program turns the page to get ready for the 2026 season with their eyes on the trophy.

On Monday, Cleveland.com released the Preseason Big Ten Football Poll, and for the 10th time since its inception in 2011, Ohio State was at the top of the chart. Right below them in the second slot is the Oregon Ducks.

Somehow, Oregon slotted in above the Hoosiers, who came in third place. For some reason, there is a lack of belief in the Hoosiers heading into 2026, and it is something I can't quite put my finger on.

Regardless, the Ducks check in in second place heading into this season.

The conversation surrounding Dan Lanning is going to start getting uncomfortable if the Ducks throw out another great regular season but get boat-raced out of the postseason. Even if they were to not win the National Championship, but they had a respectable loss in the Playoff, it would be a win.

The last two years, they have entered the offseason embarrassed, bruised, and battered with their heads in their palms.

The 2026 version of the Ducks has all of the tools to be a great group. It all starts at the quarterback position with Dante Moore. Moore is a prospect who came back to school when he could have gone to the league. He is coming back for more next year.

On the outside, they are led by Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore, while the backfield is patrolled by sophomore stars Jordan Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. 

On defense, they have studs at all levels, but the headliner is transfer Koi Perich, who comes from Minnesota as one of the top safeties in college football and now patrols the back end of the Ducks' defense.

Dan Lanning is going to have a darn good group, it just better good enough to get over the Buckeye-sized hump that is in front of them.