After suffering a massive setback loss at the hands of the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Oregon saw a season that started with the Ducks ranked as high as 2nd, falling all the way down to 21st. The goal this season was to win a National Championship, and with how close the Ducks have come in recent seasons, this felt like a National Championship or bust season.
If Oregon was going to reach their goals this season, 21st had to be the lowest the Ducks ever ranked in the AP Poll, and that journey started with a matchup against Portland State. While Portland State isn't a tough opponent, it gave the Ducks a chance to rebound, and the team used it as a chance to win 84-0.
Oregon starts climbing back up the AP Poll after Week 3 win
On Sunday Morning, the Associated Press unveiled their latest AP Top 25 Poll results with the Ducks climbing up 1 place to 20th.
BREAKING: College Football AP Poll🚨https://t.co/rYOmnsZFh3 pic.twitter.com/73tiPpJfKr
— On3 (@On3) September 20, 2026
The Ducks were the beneficiaries of Texas A&M getting stunned at home by Kentucky which knocked the Aggies all the way from 9th to 23rd. It's not much movement, but Will Stein has helped the Ducks, at least for the time being, on their climb back into championship contention.
The good news for Dan Lanning and the Ducks is that this weekend should give Oregon a great chance to jump from 20th to as high as the top 15. Oregon heads to Los Angeles on Saturday to take on the 12th ranked USC Trojans, and a win would potentially vault the Ducks close to a return to the top 10.
The schedule presents Oregon with a ton of chances to start knocking off Top 25 opponents to help their own case. After facing 12th ranked USC, Oregon has two more top 25 games remaining on the schedule against No. 7 Ohio State and No. 18 Michigan. The Ducks should also start rooting for the likes of UCLA, Nebraska, Illinois, Northwestern, and Washington to continue their winning ways to create more Top 25 clashes.
While the first two games of the season were against unranked opponents, Boise State and Oklahoma State continue to get respect from the voters. Oklahoma State is the 30th ranked team receiving 0 votes, while Boise State is right behind them at 31st.
Poll voters and the College Football Playoff committee won't determine the Ducks' season, as Oregon controls its own destiny. If Dan Lanning and the Ducks take care of business, the rankings will take care of themselves, and it starts with knocking Lincoln Riley and USC down a notch.
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