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Oregon football schedule among toughest in the nation, per CBS Sports
TL;DR
Oregon Ducks face one of the toughest college football schedules in 2026, ranked 11th by CBS Sports. Key matchups include games against Boise State, Oklahoma State, Ohio State, and Michigan.
Key points
- Oregon Ducks ranked 11th for toughest college football schedule in 2026
- Key opponents include Boise State, Oklahoma State, Ohio State, and Michigan
- Oregon faced criticism for an easy schedule last season
- The Ducks will play across multiple states including Oregon, Oklahoma, and Ohio
- Execution will be crucial for Oregon against top teams in November
Oregon DucksOhio StateMichiganUSC
Make no mistake, the Oregon Ducks are expected to return to the College Football Playoff in 2026 after lasting until the semifinals last season. Throughout the season, the Ducks battled a narrative of playing an easy schedule with few ranked foes, outside of their October loss to Indiana. This season, that is not likely to be the case again.
CBS Sports' Brad Crawford ranked the toughest schedules for CFP contenders around the country, and the Ducks are among those facing a gauntlet on the schedule in the Big Ten. Oregon placed 11th on Crawford's list, trailing Ohio State (3), Michigan (4) and USC (8) within the conference. Texas and Oklahoma took the top two spots, respectively.
"The opener against Boise State and trips to Oklahoma State and USC in September should show us everything we need to know about the Ducks," Crawford wrote. "Then there's the reality of facing Ohio State, Michigan and Washington over the final four weeks -- teams that don't just beat you, they expose you if you're not complete. These are roster-check games where physicality at the line of scrimmage and depth in the fourth quarter will decide the winner. Oregon won't be able to out-talent everyone the way it might against lesser competition; execution becomes non-negotiable for Dan Lanning's group in November."
The Ducks will be well-traveled, playing games from out west in Eugene and Los Angeles all the way out to Illinois and Ohio. Oregon also won't have as forgiving a non-conference schedule this time around. They'll host soon-to-be Pac-12 representative Boise State at Autzen Stadium to open the season before traveling to Stillwater to take on a new and very much improved Oklahoma State team.
An early bye after a Week 4 trip to USC isn't ideal, as the Ducks will finish the season in November with a trip to Ohio State, home for Michigan, at Michigan State and back home for Washington, all in consecutive weeks. That could be three ranked games in four weeks for the Ducks.
Q&A
What is Oregon Ducks' ranking for toughest football schedules in 2026?
The Oregon Ducks are ranked 11th for the toughest college football schedules in 2026 according to CBS Sports.
Which teams are considered tougher than Oregon in the Big Ten for 2026?
Ohio State (3rd), Michigan (4th), and USC (8th) are ranked tougher than Oregon in the Big Ten for 2026.
What are the key matchups for Oregon Ducks in the 2026 season?
Key matchups for the Oregon Ducks include games against Boise State, Oklahoma State, Ohio State, and Michigan.
How does Oregon's 2026 schedule compare to their previous season?
Unlike the previous season with an easier schedule, Oregon's 2026 schedule features more ranked opponents and challenging matchups.
