What is the biggest question for Oregon in 2026? ESPN weighs in

When looking at the general college football landscape, there are very few teams that wouldn't want to trade places with the Oregon Ducks. In the past two years under Dan Lanning, they have gone 26-3, with their only losses coming to the eventual national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024 and twice to the Indiana Hoosiers in 2025.

However, the two season-ending playoff losses came in blowout fashion, leaving a bad taste in every fan's mouth when all is said and done. So now, heading into the 2026 season, with arguably the most proven returning roster in the nation and legitimate national championship aspirations, what is the biggest question the Ducks have to answer?

ESPN weighed in on that subject, and they think it's about whether Oregon can prove it has what it lacked in each of the last two seasons when the lights are brightest.

"Two games don't overrule all the brilliance they otherwise showed, but when it counted the most, they were overwhelmed at the line of scrimmage and didn't have enough playmakers to make up for it," ESPN's Bill Connelly writes. "The Ducks will have to navigate a tricky schedule, with road trips to USCand Ohio State and visits from Michigan and Washington, while also knowing that they need to save fifth gear for December and January, especially in the trenches. Can they stick the landing this time?"

Looking at the Ducks' slate, there are some potential landmines across the schedule. In the non-conference, they have potentially tough matchups against the Boise State Broncos and Oklahoma State Cowboys, as well as a pair of brutal road trips to Los Angeles and Columbus.

However, if Oregon is as good as expected, they should be able to navigate their way into the College Football Playoff for a third straight year. If that happens, it will be time to see if they can answer the age-old question that has plagued the Ducks for decades: Can they win the big one?