What to know about Oregon football in 2026

What to know about Oregon football in 2026

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What to know about Oregon football in 2026

The Big Ten conference is peppered with elite teams that are consistently in the mix for national championship contention. The conglomeration of teams was swallowed by the shadow of the juggernauts for a long time, but recently they’ve found unprecedented success. The conference has ripped off three national title wins in a row, and this year Oregon will attempt to become the fourth. They’ve been on the doorstep the past few seasons before getting their doors kicked in by the eventual champions, losing their last two College Football Playoff games by a combined 50 points. They have the talent and the coaching to achieve glory — now they just need to put together everything they’ve learned over the past two seasons and hope it culminates in their ultimate goal. Will this be the season they finally break through?

Here is a quick look at the Oregon Ducks heading into the 2026 season.

Quick 2025 recap

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks fans cheer during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

  • Record: 13-2, 8-1 Big Ten
  • Bowl Result: Lost College Football Playoff semifinal (Peach Bowl) to Indiana, 56-22

Although it ended in heartbreak once again, the 2025 season was another step in the right direction for Oregon. They only lost one game in the regular season, which is oddly inspiring considering it also came from the same team that knocked them out of the playoffs. The season wasn’t all bad, as the Ducks developed more NFL talent and will most likely have another sizable group headed to the pros again in 2027. Last season proved that Oregon will be a regular-season force to be reckoned with for years to come, but they still only have one goal in mind.

Head coach: Dan Lanning, 5th season

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

Record: 48-8

The Ducks have been a great team for decades, however, Dan Lanning has them operating on a level that nobody ever thought was possible. One of the youngest coaches in college football has led his team to four straight double-digit win seasons and is creeping up on the school’s record for consecutive seasons for that benchmark. The question is when the Ducks will win a national championship, not if. Lanning is freshly 40, so barring anything unexpected, he will have 20 years or more to get the job done.

Offensive player to know: Dakorien Moore, Wide receiver

EUGENE, OREGON - APRIL 26: Dakorien Moore #1 of the Oregon Ducks runs after a catch during the Oregon spring game at Autzen Stadium on April 26, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

Another thing Lanning has helped the program with is acquiring blue-chip talent, which is exactly what he did with five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore. The sophomore pass catcher was outstanding in his first college season, but an injury late in the year hindered his cumulative numbers and shielded his talent from the national media. He is a quick, athletic receiver who has great hands and is entering his second year of connection with quarterback Dante Moore. Don’t be surprised to see the young receiver have a breakout season.

Defensive player to know: Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge rusher

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Matayo Uiagalelei #10 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders 23-0 in the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

The Ducks had a ton of NFL draft prospects heading into last season and Matayo Uiagalelei was strongly considered to be among them. However, he had a bit of a down season and ended up staying in Oregon for at least one more season. He is a massive pass rusher who has the athletic ability to be an unstoppable, versatile beast at the next level. He’s been unable to master all of these skills, so he’ll need to have a major bounce back season to reignite the hype around him.

Does Penn State face Oregon in 2026?

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Devonte Ross (5) runs in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

No, the Nittany Lions escape a matchup with the Ducks this season for the first time since they joined the Big Ten. We never know who will meet in the playoffs, but the schedule makers don’t have these two matching up in the regular season.

Penn State is scheduled to make a road trip to Oregon as part of the 20276 Big Ten schedule, but the exact date for the game is unknown at this time.

Full 2026 Oregon football schedule

Aug 31, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; The Oregon Ducks opening game helmet has added a #5 sticker in honor of Khyree Jackson before the game against the Idaho Vandals at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports

  • September 5 vs. BOISE STATE
  • September 12 at Oklahoma State
  • September 18 (FRIDAY) vs. PORTLAND STATE
  • September 26 at USC*
  • October 10 vs. UCLA*
  • October 17 vs. NEBRASKA*
  • October 24 at Illinois*
  • October 31 vs. NORTHWESTERN*
  • November 7 at Ohio State*
  • November 14 vs. MICHIGAN*
  • November 20 (FRIDAY) at Michigan State
  • November 28 vs. WASHINGTON*

“*” designates Big Ten Conference game

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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: What to know about Oregon Ducks football in 2026

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