Oregon: 3 Games That Will Define Football Season

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning will certainly be feeling pressure to make the College Football Playoff with the best roster he's had during his time in Eugene.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore will make his case to be the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft while throwing to Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore. The offense will be talented, but the defense will need to make the difference to win the national championship.

The defensive line is expected to be the best unit of the team, if not one of the best units in college football. The Ducks will need the unit to stay healthy against a schedule that's one of the toughest in college football. 

Here are the three football games that will define Oregon's season this year. 

Oregon at USC (Sept. 26)

The matchup between Oregon and USC in September reminds me of the contest last year between the Ducks and Penn State. Oregon defeated the Nittany Lions 30-24 on the road on Sept. 27, and it derailed the program, with PSU firing James Franklin weeks later. 

USC is putting pressure on Lincoln Riley to make a CFP appearance, and the Trojans home game against the Ducks will be a must-win game for Riley. Because Oregon's schedule is tough, it can't afford to lose a Big Ten game in September.

It'll be a playoff atmosphere at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Oregon at Ohio State (Nov. 7)

The Ducks and Buckeyes traded blows in 2024, with Oregon winning the regular season contest before going on to win the Big Ten Championship Game. 

However, Ohio State won the CFP contest in a blowout. The game between the two teams in November could decide who makes the Big Ten championship in December. It'll also be a chance for Oregon to see how they stack up against a legitimate national championship contender.

The big question coming into the contest: Can Oregon's stellar secondary keep Jeremiah Smith in check?

Michigan at Oregon (Nov. 14)

November will be a challenge for the Ducks mentally. After going on the road to Ohio Stadium, Oregon will have to turn it around to host Michigan the next week. 

No one knows what Michigan will look like under first-year head coach Kyle Wittingham, but he had a history of getting the best out of Utah in big games during its time in the Pac-12 and Big 12. 

The Ducks can't have a "let down" game after playing Ohio State, and depending on how that game goes, Oregon might not have any room for error when they host the Wolverines.