Boasting championship talent and a high-stakes quarterback, Oregon faces a grueling gauntlet of powerhouse opponents that will test their depth and physicality in a relentless Big Ten debut.
The Oregon Ducks are loaded will talent at starting positions all over the field-though there may be an exception with the offensive line.
Those skilled players are expected to put Oregon in the running for a College Football Playoff national championship this season. With quarterback Dante Moore returning, the Ducks have no excuses to play in the final game of the college football season.
The Ducks depth could be tested in the upcoming season while playing one of the tougher schedules in the sport.
Brad Crawford of CBS Sports ranked Oregon No. 11 for having the "toughest" schedule for the upcoming season.
"The opener against Boise State and trips to Oklahoma State and USC in September should show us everything we need to know about the Ducks," Crawford wrote. "Then there's the reality of facing Ohio State, Michigan and Washington over the final four weeks -- teams that don't just beat you, they expose you if you're not complete.
"These are roster-check games where physicality at the line of scrimmage and depth in the fourth quarter will decide the winner. Oregon won't be able to out-talent everyone the way it might against lesser competition; execution becomes non-negotiable for Dan Lanning's group in November."
Oregon should be able to take care of business against Boise State and Oklahoma State. However they could face challenges in the Big Ten schedule.
USC has added some serious recruiting talent in the offseason, and head coach Lincoln Riley is facing pressure to make headways in 2026. The Trojans could be a tough out.
Ohio State will give the Ducks a challenge for 60 minutes, and its defensive line will be an important test for Oregon's offensive line. If it can withstand the Buckeyes attack, the Ducks should feel competent about the CFP.
Michigan and Washington might sound like scary names, but they're not a threat in the upcoming season. The Wolverines have a new coach and plenty of questions on the roster for Kyle Whittingham to fix.
The true test might not be anyone of these programs outside of Ohio State but how the Ducks are able deal with playing tougher competition week after week as attrition starts to set in.