High expectations collide with a brutal schedule as Dan Lanning’s talented roster faces fierce competition from Ohio State and Indiana in a grueling quest for conference supremacy.
The Oregon Ducks have several outlets saying they should have no problem making the College Football Playoff and making it to the national championship this year.
With quarterback Dante Moore expected to have a Heisman Trophy campaign this fall, the sky should be the limit for an Ducks team that returns Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart at receiver.
However, the Ducks’ path to the Big Ten championship won't be easy this year. Oregon has one of the toughest overall schedules in the country, which should be a litmus test for Dante Moore and how he shows progress from last season.
If Oregon is a favorite to make the national championship, it goes to reason it should win the Big Ten?
Not so fast.
The Big Ten has won the last three national titles, and Ohio State and Indiana will give the Ducks serious competition for the conference prize.
Paul Myerberg of USA Today ranks the Ducks No. 2 in his Big Ten power rankings. He lists Ohio State at No. 1, though Oregon should be encouraged to see Indiana, which beat the Ducks twice last year, one spot behind them at No. 3.
Myerberg thinks Golden Gophers transfer Koi Perich will be a key replacement for Dillon Thieneman, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
"The Ducks will hand new defensive coordinator Chris Hampton some major depth from front to back, with an experienced defensive front setting the pace for a unit that has a new leader in the secondary in former Minnesota safety Koi Perich," Myerberg wrote.
Following the spring game in April, Lanning said his group is capable of competing at a high level.
"I think the intelligence of this group is really high," Lanning said, via 247 Sports. "The acumen and ability to execute offensive and defensive plays is really up there. They know and understand what we're trying to do. We have a lot of stuff packaged well that these guys can operate really well, so I'd say that part is ahead.
"We became a much more connected team this spring... We have to get stronger. We have to continue to become the physical team that we've been here in the past. There are a lot of areas still for growth, but I think we're a really smart team right now and understand what we want to accomplish."
The Ducks will enter training camp this summer facing pressure and high expectations. The team has more than enough talent to win it all, but they'll have to overcome a serious grind to win the Big Ten championship and national title.