Entering the fifth year of the Dan Lanning era, each season up to this point has been slightly better than the last for the Oregon football team. Most recently, the Ducks fell one game short of going to the National Championship Game after an 11-1 regular season and playoff wins at home over James Madison University, and in the Orange Bowl against Texas Tech University. Oregon’s season ended in the Peach Bowl when it was beaten for the second time by Indiana, which went undefeated to win the National Championship.
In its third season in the Big Ten, Oregon will face a lot of familiar faces. It will also visit five stadiums that it hasn’t played in since Lanning became the head coach.
Week 1 vs Boise State University
It’s easy for fans to overlook this early season matchup, but the Broncos are no doormat. The Ducks are 1-3 all time against Boise State. Their only win came in a Week 2 matchup in 2024 in a game that was tied in the final seconds of regulation before Oregon kicked a field goal to win it. Both teams went undefeated the rest of the regular season and received a first round bye in the College Football Playoff. The Broncos had a drop off last year, but if the Ducks aren’t ready to start fast, they could be on upset watch.
Week 2 at Oklahoma State University
This will be the second year in a row where the Ducks face the Cowboys in Week 2. Last season, the game was in Eugene and Oregon routed OSU 69-3 just weeks before the firing of its head coach. The Cowboys have certainly done some rebuilding since then and should be more competitive on their home turf, but that shouldn’t stop the Ducks from walking out of Stillwater with a win.
Week 3 vs Portland State University
The last time the Vikings came to Eugene in 2023, the Ducks cake walked them 81-7. With two FBS opponents before this matchup, Oregon should be fully prepared to produce a similar result.
Week 4 at USC
Oregon hasn’t played at the LA Coliseum since Lanning arrived. It’s 2-0 against the Trojans in Eugene. Last season, both offenses were firing the whole game and USC stayed right with Oregon until the fourth quarter. We can expect similar competition this time around, and if the Ducks aren’t at their absolute best, they could be on upset watch.
Week 6 vs UCLA
The Bruins haven’t had much success on the football field in recent years, but this will be the first season under head coach Bob Chesney. The Ducks saw Chesney in Eugene last year in the College Football Playoff when he coached JMU. This should be an easy win for Oregon, but you never know what a new coach can do to a program.
Week 7 vs Nebraska
The Cornhuskers are the only Big Ten team the Ducks haven’t played since joining the conference. After quarterback Dylan Raiola left Nebraska to join Oregon’s quarterback room, it will probably be a rebuild season, which likely would give the Ducks another easy win.
Week 8 at Illinois
The Fighting Illini typically do well against Big Ten opponents, but it’s not common for them to compete with the top teams in the conference. This was on display in 2024 when the Ducks beat Illinois 38-9 at Autzen Stadium in a season the Illini finished at 10-3. Oregon will have more of a challenge this time going into a hostile road environment, but it has proven over the past two seasons that does not affect its ability to win.
Week 9 vs Northwestern
This is the second consecutive season where the Ducks face the Wildcats. Last year was in Evanston and Oregon had full control, winning 34-14. There’s no reason to expect anything other than another dominant performance from the Ducks on Halloween at Autzen Stadium.
Week 10 at Ohio State
The Buckeyes will be Oregon’s biggest challenge, and likely the only game it isn’t favored in. The Ducks have a lot of history with OSU and are 2-10 against it all time. Oregon’s first win came in its last trip to Columbus in 2021 when it upset the Buckeyes 35-28. Then in 2024, Ducks fans all remember the Autzen Stadium thriller that ended in a 32-31 Oregon victory. The most recent matchup was in the 2025 Rose Bowl, which the Buckeyes won 41-21.
Week 11 vs Michigan
This game has the potential to be a trap game or a rebound game, depending on how the week before goes. Since their National Championship in 2023, the Wolverines have not had stability with their coaching staff. They remain one of the more winning teams in the Big Ten, and there’s always a chance they could break out this season, but it will most likely be another win for the Ducks.
Week 12 at Michigan State
Football has never been the strongest sport for the Spartans. When they came to Eugene in 2024, Oregon did not play its best, but was still able to win 31-10. It might be a bit closer with Oregon traveling and having gone six weeks since its last bye, but it shouldn’t have an issue adding to the win column.
Week 14 vs Washington
The last time the Huskies came to Eugene was also after an Oregon bye week. The Ducks were rejuvenated and pounced Washington 49-21. The Huskies saw some improvement last year as head coach Jedd Fisch continues to rebuild the program. It’s never a guarantee in these rivalry games, but Oregon should still have the upper hand at home.