Throughout the season, I repeatedly brought up the topic of “peaking” at the right time. After last season’s blowout loss to Ohio State in the quarterfinal Rose Bowl game, reports surfaced that Dan Lanning put in a concerted effort to make the 2025 Ducks peak at the right time. And, they did. But, we were hoping there was another level ...

Ducks in the Mix for '26

Thanks, Darren, for taking a peek at next year's team. 😁

Spot on regarding Dante. He has started 20 games, and he will improve next season, especially if Oregon can stay healthy at the skill positions. It would be nice to make it to the semis next season and have a healthy cast of players in the biggest game.

That Dante and Ducks played so well with 15 new starters and every unit on the offense dealing with injury is a credit to the coaches.

Regarding the list of complete teams, Ohio State struggled to run the ball against top defenses. I don't want to go Lou Holtz on the Buckeyes, but Miami punched the TOSU O-line and D-line guys in the mouth, and they couldn't handle it. And Sayin, in his 14th start, like Dante at times, couldn't handle being pressured.

If Cam Ward had the 2025 Miami D in 2024, or the 2025 Miami team had Cam Ward at QB, I think both teams would have had a legit chance of going 16-0. Carson Beck was good, not great.

I do agree that Mario is not the micro-manager he was with the Ducks, and he made solid OC and DC hires. As to his QB in 2026, that is to be determined by lawyers and judges.

Miami is an example of a program that supported the House Settlement with no intention of limiting NIL or tampering. The U is not alone, but its poaching is not restrained by any settlement or legal agreement. Mensah, like Beck, is not another Cam Ward, and Bain and Mesidor will not be easy to replace. Wilson coming in from Mizzou is a good DE, but not as good as these two. However, in the ACC, the U is fielding the deepest roster, and no other program is bringing in the same talent.

Indiana in 2025 was a complete capital T Team that played complementary football. Cignetti saw that the 2024 team could not compete on the LOS with the Ohio State and Notre Dame programs and did an excellent job of using the portal to plug the holes. And having your OC and DC with you for eleven seasons is a CFB luxury.

Will QB Hoover, transferring in from TCU, come close to Mendoza's leadership and production? That's a big vacuum to fill. (Sorry 🙃)

The talent is in place for OBD to make a run at the title in 2026, but you never know how that stupid oblong ball will bounce.

Thanks again. Is it 9/5 yet?

Love the article!

The next season will be interesting as there's much more starting depth returning than the previous season. Echoing the obvious, Dante will need to show continued growth in his ability to read defenses and keep his eyes downfield under pressure. He showed steady improvement over the course of this past season so there's no reason to believe he won't.

The big question mark on offense (to me) will be the offensive line. Last season it was good (maybe very good at times) but not elite. In particular the OT spots on both sides. Isaiah World and Alex Harkey overall did well but when facing the best DLs they really did struggle to protect Dante...I view them as high floor/low ceiling guys that kept things generally stable and on a winning path during the regular season but when the CFP came TT and Indiana really worked them over.

I hope Coach Dan shores up the line better this time around, before anything else on the offense can be considered the OL needs to be addressed first.

Thanks. Great points. It will be interesting to see how this offseason plays out.

8 hours ago, Jon Joseph said:

Thanks, Darren, for taking a peek at next year's team. 😁

Spot on regarding Dante. He has started 20 games, and he will improve next season, especially if Oregon can stay healthy at the skill positions. It would be nice to make it to the semis next season and have a healthy cast of players in the biggest game.

That Dante and Ducks played so well with 15 new starters and every unit on the offense dealing with injury is a credit to the coaches.

Regarding the list of complete teams, Ohio State struggled to run the ball against top defenses. I don't want to go Lou Holtz on the Buckeyes, but Miami punched the TOSU O-line and D-line guys in the mouth, and they couldn't handle it. And Sayin, in his 14th start, like Dante at times, couldn't handle being pressured.

If Cam Ward had the 2025 Miami D in 2024, or the 2025 Miami team had Cam Ward at QB, I think both teams would have had a legit chance of going 16-0. Carson Beck was good, not great.

I do agree that Mario is not the micro-manager he was with the Ducks, and he made solid OC and DC hires. As to his QB in 2026, that is to be determined by lawyers and judges.

Miami is an example of a program that supported the House Settlement with no intention of limiting NIL or tampering. The U is not alone, but its poaching is not restrained by any settlement or legal agreement. Mensah, like Beck, is not another Cam Ward, and Bain and Mesidor will not be easy to replace. Wilson coming in from Mizzou is a good DE, but not as good as these two. However, in the ACC, the U is fielding the deepest roster, and no other program is bringing in the same talent.

Indiana in 2025 was a complete capital T Team that played complementary football. Cignetti saw that the 2024 team could not compete on the LOS with the Ohio State and Notre Dame programs and did an excellent job of using the portal to plug the holes. And having your OC and DC with you for eleven seasons is a CFB luxury.

Will QB Hoover, transferring in from TCU, come close to Mendoza's leadership and production? That's a big vacuum to fill. (Sorry 🙃)

The talent is in place for OBD to make a run at the title in 2026, but you never know how that stupid oblong ball will bounce.

Thanks again. Is it 9/5 yet?

Great points as always, Jon. 9.5..... seems soooo far away, the football withdrawals are starting to kick in.

At this point, it might be a little early to look ahead to 2026! It sure is fun though.

DL and staff have a few spots to fill at key positions. For example, linebacker, depth on defensive front 7 and O line. Filling those with portal players or will the 2026 recruits step up. Lots of top level players on the roster and 5 star recruits getting ready for spring ball.

How those spots get filled and the team jells will determine 9-3 to 12-0. Also take the time to check out the weak-arsed schedules that PSU and Indiana have next year. A number of BIG teams could finish 11-1.

11-1 will get OBD's an invite as long as they are competitive in the shoe. Perception matters and 10-2 could be borderline for the CFP.

The wild card is Dante and his protection. I dont know if Dante has depth perception problems or vision concerns. He misses seeing or throwing to wide open receivers for bird bombs. One miss could be costly.

We all know Dante will work hard, grow and improve in 2026. He is still playing with a teenagers body. Dante can easily carry 15 to 20 more pounds as he developes his man body. And hone his skills. His talent and execution will land him in NY for the Heismen.

Now all the Ducks need some passion. Bo and Tez had passion. Malik Benson had passion. And DL and his staff need to engrain the killer instinct into the culture. This is a Top 5 program and a top schedule. Who else plays, tosu, psu, michigan, iowa, illinois, usc and washington? Indiana and PSU don't.......

Can't wait for the 2026 season because it has all the makings of a Natty....

GO DUCKS.........

I love Charles, er, Bryan Fischer's too-early 2026-27 PO bracket.

Wins over Miami, Indiana, and Notre Dame - Sign me up!

SI

Way-Too-Early 2026 College Football Playoff Brackets: Exp...

Is there another team in line to be the next Indiana? Will the Big Ten extend its streak with a fourth straight championship?

I don't know about 'peaking' anymore. I think it is more about players knowing how to execute their assignments without making mistakes. That and getting ready to compete against better players when playoffs roll around.