Quarterback's resurgence, new coordinators, and portal talent define Oregon's crucial spring as they aim for national title contention.
The Oregon Ducks have continued to make incremental progress under head coach Dan Lanning.
The Ducks hope that trend continues in the fall.
In 2024, Oregon won the Big Ten Championship and made the College Football Playoff. However, the Ducks season ended unceremoniously in a blowout loss to eventual national champion Ohio State in the CFP quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl.
The Ducks didn't make the conference championship in 2025 after losing to eventual Big Ten champion Indiana in Eugene during the regular season, but made another appearance in the CFP.
Lanning earned his first two CFP wins against James Madison in the first round and against Texas Tech in the CFP quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl when the Ducks shut out the Red Raiders 23-0.
Then Lanning was humbled by Indiana 56-22 in the CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl.
ESPN believes the Ducks should be in contention to win a national title in the upcoming season, but a lot will rest on how quarterback Dante Moore does in his return.
The two other major storylines to watch will be new defensive coordinator Chris Hampton, who replaced new Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi and new offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, who replaced new Kentucky head coach Will Stein.
"With Moore still in the fold, the Ducks have a strong case to be the preseason No. 1. That's where the conversation about Oregon should begin this spring -- and continue up until the season begins.
"The Ducks will break in new coordinators on both sides of the ball and -- like everyone else -- have a mix of outgoing and incoming talent from the portal, but coach Dan Lanning has this program operating like a machine."
How Moore does in his second season as a starter could determine how far the Ducks go in 2026. If he has a season worthy of winning the Heisman Trophy, he could top Texas quarterback Arch Manning in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Oregon has enough talent to compete for the Big Ten championship. But Ohio State and Indiana will not be easy opponents in the power conference.