Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is set to return to Eugene in 2026. On3 predicted a low ranking for the Ducks despite having a first-round pick at quarterback.
No. 5 Oregon was humbled by No. 1 Indiana in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 9.
The Hoosiers made life hard on Ducks quarterback Dante Moore, who committed three total turnovers in a 56-22 loss.
Moore entered the game as the likely No. 2 quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft if he decided to jump to the league. Instead, Moore decided to return to Eugene for one more season, hoping to improve his skillset and help Oregon win the national title.
"With that being said, of course, I'll be coming back to Oregon for one more year and being able to play for the Oregon Ducks," Moore said last week. "And, of course, reach our goal and be national champions."
The Ducks should be expected to contend for a national title with a first-round pick under center.
However, On3's Brett McMurphy explained why his publication predicted Oregon to have a humbling No. 6 ranking before spring football starts.
"The Ducks’ meltdown against Indiana in the College Football Playoff was a little easier to take with the news that quarterback Dante Moore will return this season," McMurphy wrote.
"Moore’s return makes the Ducks among the top teams in the Big Ten. Oregon has had four consecutive double-digit win seasons, but is still seeking its first national title game berth under Dan Lanning."
McMurphy thinks the losses of tight end Kenyon Sadiq (expected to be a top-10 draft pick), running back Noah Whittington, and wide receivers Malik Benson and Gary Bryant Jr. could be too much for the Ducks to overcome in 2026 to return and make a run to the national title game.
Oregon is also facing another challenge this offseason.
Offensive coordinator Will Stein left for the Kentucky head coaching gig. His offense was key in developing Moore.
On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi left to become the head coach of California.
Those two assistant coaches will be hard for Lanning to replace.
If Oregon makes the CFP national title game in 2026, it will likely be because Moore will carry the team.