Spring practices are in the rearview mirror, and the Oregon Ducks are already locking in on what promises to be one of the most grueling schedules in the nation for the 2026 season. After a deep run to the College Football Playoff semifinals last year, the Ducks are expected to be back in the mix again. But this time around, there won't be any talk of a soft schedule.

Last season, Oregon faced criticism for navigating a path with few ranked opponents—aside from an October loss to Indiana. That narrative is about to change in a big way. CBS Sports' Brad Crawford recently ranked the toughest schedules for College Football Playoff contenders, and the Ducks landed at No. 11 on his list. Within the Big Ten, only Ohio State (3), Michigan (4), and USC (8) ranked higher in terms of schedule difficulty. Texas and Oklahoma claimed the top two spots overall.

"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 log some serious frequent flyer miles this season, traveling from Eugene to Los Angeles, and all the way to Illinois and Ohio. Their non-conference slate is far from forgiving. They'll open at Autzen Stadium against Boise State—a program now representing the Pac-12—before heading to Stillwater to face a resurgent Oklahoma State team that has made significant strides.

One potential hiccup: an early bye week after a Week 4 trip to USC. That means Oregon will have to grind through a brutal November stretch without a break. Over four consecutive weeks, they'll face Ohio State on the road, host Michigan, travel to Michigan State, and then welcome Washington back to Eugene. That could mean three ranked opponents in four weeks, with each game serving as a true test of depth and grit.

And the Ducks would be wise not to overlook an improved UCLA team coming off a bye week. In a season where every snap matters, Oregon's path to the playoff will demand peak performance from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.