How Oregon Ducks' ESPN SP+ ranking compares to years past
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There are many different lenses to look through, and several different metrics to use when forecasting the future in college football, and trying to predict who the top teams in any given season will be. Some take the Associated Press preseason poll or betting odds, while others rely on ESPN's Football Power Index, or Bill Connelly's SP+.
No matter which way you look at it, though, the Oregon Ducks are projected to be one of the top teams in the nation this year.
With guys like Dante Moore, Evan Stewart, Matayo Uiagalelei, A'mauri Washington, and Teitum Tuioti, among others, all passing on the NFL draft to return to Eugene for one more season, the Ducks have one of the highest returning-production rates in the nation this year, and they are primed for a big season. This has placed them as the No. 2 team in the nation according to ESPN's SP+ metrics, which sits only behind the Ohio State Buckeyes.
But what's interesting is how this compares to expectations in years past in Eugene. In the Dan Lanning era, the Ducks have pretty consistently been one of the best teams in all of college football, competing for spots in the College Football Playoff. So are expectations higher this year than in years past?
Let's see what SP+ says.
2026 Oregon Ducks
ESPN SP+: 28.3
SP+ National Ranking: No. 2
ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25: No. 5
End Result: N/A
2025 Oregon Ducks
ESPN SP+: 24.7
SP+ National Ranking: No. 7
ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25: No. 6
End Result: 13-2, loss to Indiana Hoosiers in CFP Semifinal
2024 Oregon Ducks
ESPN SP+: 29.3
SP+ National Ranking: No. 3
ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25: No. 3
End Result: 13-1, loss to Ohio State Buckeyes in CFP Quarterfinal
2023 Oregon Ducks
ESPN SP+: 21.6
SP+ National Ranking: No. 8
ESPN Way-Too-Early Top 25: No. 9
End Result: 12-2, Win over Liberty Flames in Fiesta Bowl
Analysis
While the Ducks don't have the highest SP+ number of the Dan Lanning era — that came in 2024 with the return of Bo Nix — but this is the highest they have ever ranked nationally in SP+, meaning that they are well, if not more, equipped to succeed.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Comparing Oregon Ducks ranking on ESPN's SP+ to years past
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