A year ago at this time, the focus of the preseason hype centered around Drew Allar and Penn State, Cade Klubnik and Clemson, Garrett Nussmeier and LSU and Arch Manning and Texas.
The prevailing narrative was that Penn State was going to follow the script used by Ohio State and Michigan in their championship seasons, riding an experienced quarterback and a core of returning stars to a deep run in the College Football Playoff.
Clemson and Klubnik looked the part. And with pro prospect Arch Manning operating a loaded Texas offense, the Longhorns were poised to take that next step after reaching the semifinals the year before.
No one saw Fernando Mendoza coming. In the Top 25, LSU, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, USC and Michigan fell away as the Hoosiers ran the table. In two seasons Curt Cignetti took them from worst to first, achieving the first 16-0 national championship season since the 1894 Yale Bulldogs.
Meanwhile in both versions of Death Valley, the Tigers finished a dismal 7-6. The roster led by Allar, Zane Durant, and the backfield of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen faltered so badly that it got James Franklin fired, midway through another 7-6 finish. Texas missed the playoffs at 10-3.
This summer it's the Ducks that are a trendy pick for the preseason national championship. There's ample justification for that status, however illusory it is.
For example, Pro Football Focus just released their Top 50 players in college football for 2026, and it includes six Ducks:
7. Dante Moore
23. A'Mauri Washington
32. Teitum Tuioti
33. Matayo Uiagalelei
39. Brandon Finney
50. Jamari Johnson
Considering there are 138 schools in the FBS, that's quite a concentration of talent from one roster. What makes it even more potent is the array of Oregon players that didn't make the list, but would likely be included in the Top 100 or Top 150, out of the 20,000-plus players in Division 1 football.
The Ducks have never been more ready to win that first national title
Dan Lanning has assembled the most talented roster in Oregon history, with remarkable balance and depth for the NIL/Transfer Portal era. The Ducks are one of the few teams in the country with an experienced backup quarterback. They've got a pair of elite running backs, a flock of fleet wide receivers, an All-American candidate at center and college football's best tight end.
On defense, they feature the nation's best defensive line with four senior starters. They have starting experience at every position and a stingy pass defense. In the Spring Game pass rush coach Rip Rowan's work was already evident in the improved way the Oregon front was shedding blockers and getting after the quarterback.
All the elements are there. The dream has never been more real, but it only counts for something when the hype gets backed up by execution and consistency.
Just ask the fans at Penn State, Clemson and LSU how much value the hype really has.
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