Preseason Accolades
CBS Sports has crowned Dan Lanning as its preseason coach of the year for the 2026 College Football season, a distinction that underscores his sustained excellence with the Oregon Ducks. Under Lanning, the program has never posted a losing record, and the 2024 campaign culminated in an undefeated run that earned the Ducks the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
The accolade comes as Oregon prepares to field a roster that blends a premier quarterback with a deep receiving corps and a defensive line anchored by proven pass‑rushers. The returning talent pool positions the team to contend for another national title, but the schedule will test that potential.
A Road Test in the Big Ten
The most immediate hurdle is a road matchup against Ohio State, a venue where the Ducks suffered a 41‑21 defeat in the 2025 Rose Bowl. That loss, coupled with a 56‑22 setback to Indiana in the 2026 Peach Bowl, highlights the difficulty of navigating the Big Ten’s elite competition. While other contenders such as USC, Michigan and Washington appear on Oregon’s slate, none have matched the Ducks within a single digit in recent seasons.
Adding to the narrative, Curt Cignetti joins a select group of active head coaches who have captured a national championship, standing alongside Dabo Swinney, Kirby Smart and Ryan Day. Their presence underscores the competitive landscape that Lanning must navigate as he seeks to translate preseason optimism into postseason triumph.
With the 2026 season marking Oregon’s first genuine championship opportunity under Lanning’s leadership, the Ducks’ blend of experience and youthful explosiveness will be scrutinized weekly. The stakes are high, the schedule is unforgiving, and the expectations are soaring, but the program’s recent pedigree suggests that a championship run is within reach.