.jpg)
1 hour ago
2
Many national analysts are forecasting that Dan Lanning's Oregon Ducks will win both the conference title and the national championship, thanks to their strong returning roster.
The distribution of power in college football has shifted significantly in favor of the Pacific Northwest.
When the 2026 season begins, the Oregon Ducks will have overtaken the longstanding Midwestern powerhouses to be chosen by all the national analysts as the team most likely to win both the Big Ten championship and the national title.
In the enlarged 18-team conference, now characterized by parity, volatility through the transfer portal, and intense efforts to build strong rosters, Dan Lanning has put together what many consider the most well-rounded and powerful two-deep roster in the nation.
The reason for the optimism about Eugene is that quarterback Dante Moore is under center.
Having looked at his future prospects in the NFL after his outstanding season, Moore chose to forgo the first-round draft compensation and instead returned for one more year in college.
MORE: Why the Big Ten just banned former pro players from returning to college football
With Moore returning to Eugene, the Ducks have an outstanding, experienced field general who can carry out his duties with precision in an aggressive offensive system. He is supported by powerful players on the perimeter, with top-quality wide receiver Evan Stewart leading the line-up. Stewart's vertical speed allows him to stretch opposing defensive backs, creating better running lanes for the deep-threat receivers.
In defending the narrative, the Ducks have a defensive unit that was designed specifically to cope with the physical nature of the Big Ten schedule. Just as Moore had done, the stand-out edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei decided to forgo entering the NFL draft early in order to stay with Oregon and form the core of their defensive line, thus providing the team with a top-tier pass-rushing option in obvious passing situations. To strengthen the back end of the defense,
Lanning brought in former Minnesota star safety Koi Perich via the transfer portal. Perich's joining the team immediately improves Oregon's coverage area, his instincts, and his ability to tackle in the open field, effectively eliminating the minor secondary shortcomings that had occasionally appeared in high-pressure situations the previous year.
MORE: Oregon coach Dan Lanning to keep knocking on CFP national title door in Year 5
The Ducks will have a major regular-season challenge in November when they go to Columbus to play Ohio State at the Horseshoe, but experts believe that Oregon is particularly well-suited to cope with the demands of traveling and the physical nature of the Big Ten schedule.
All of the CBS Sports analysts—Brandon Marcello, Richard Johnson, Brad Crawford and Chris Hummer—have rated Oregon as the team to win the conference title, on the grounds that the Ducks have better depth, a number of players with top-tier NFL talent and superior coaching consistency when compared to their main rivals.
Should Lanning's team manage to get through a difficult away schedule and then perform at their best in Indianapolis, the Ducks will be in a strong position to not only win the conference title but also to secure Eugene's first national championship.
English (US)