A record of 10-2 and a playoff appearance would be a great season if your name isn't the Oregon Ducks.
According to CBS Sports college football analyst Tom Fornelli, that's what is in store for the Ducks in the 2026 season, but as for Oregon itself, it's looking for a lot more. Just making the playoffs isn't good enough anymore.
Fornelli, talking on the CBS Sports Network, says Oregon will be favored for the vast majority of its games, but there are two road games that could trip the Ducks up along the way.
"I have a sneaky suspicion Oregon will be good once again and be competing for a Big Ten Conference title," he said. "But when you look at the schedule, there are some tough on here. You have to go on the road to face USC, who I think will be a better
team than last year. I think their offense will be strong and their defense is improving.
"You're on the road for Ohio State. Those are the two games I look at and say those are the most likely losses for the Oregon Ducks this year."
He went on to say that although the Ducks do play Michigan, that game is in Autzen Stadium, which should prove to be the difference.
Two conference losses might be enough to keep Oregon out of the Big Ten title game; however, it would be enough to possibly host a playoff game. But the Ducks are bringing back one of the most talented rosters in the program's history and are aiming for a national championship.
Even though the game is in Los Angeles and the Trojans are improved, there's no reason to believe Oregon won't be favored in that contest. Fornelli might be right with the game in Columbus, though. That game might be 1 vs. 2 with two undefeated teams going at it and it possibly could be the first of two matchups with the Buckeyes for this Duck team.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: CBS Sports predicts Oregon losses to USC, Ohio State in 2026
