Oregon's Strength of Schedule Ranked for 2026

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The Oregon Ducks non-conference schedule became a lot harder in the offseason when Oklahoma State hired Eric Morris, who brought star quarterback Drew Mestemaker with him.

Morris took to North Texas to the American Conference Championship last season, and would have made the College Football Playoff with a win over Jon Sumrall's Tulane Green Wave.

The Cowboys will await the Ducks in Stillwater for a matchup on Sept. 12 after Oregon head coach Dan Lanning and his two new coordinators get their feet wet in Week 1 against Boise State, who gave the program a run for their money in 2024.

Oregon's first Big Ten matchup will come against USC on Sept. 26. The Trojans are expected to compete for a CFP spot this year. 

While the schedule is front and back loaded for the Ducks, the month of October (UCLA, Nebraska, Illinois, Northwestern) should be a breeze.

Kyle Wood of Athlon Sports ranked Oregon as having the No. 8 toughest schedule in the Big Ten out of 18 teams. He notes the tough part of the schedule will come in November, when the Ducks play Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Washington.

"The Ducks might just have the best roster in the country," Wood wrote. "And they need all that talent to navigate this slate and return to the CFP. Oregon’s non-conference schedule is harder than it was a season ago with a visit from Boise State, the highest-ranked Group of 6 team, and a trip to play a much-improved Oklahoma State squad.

"Coach Dan Lanning’s group is always a tough out at home, and it will have to hold its own against Michigan and rival Washington late in the year. The Ducks’ tests continue on the road at USC, Illinois and Ohio State. Oregon only plays three teams in conference play that finished with losing records last season."

Oregon has a tough schedule, but they should be a favorite in every game on the schedule except for potentially Ohio State. Even if the Ducks lose two games, they should be a lock to make the CFP, and the real test for Lanning and quarterback Dante Moore begins.

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