Monday marked a key date in the college football offseason as the reveal of the Preseason AP Poll truly brings the feeling that games are on the horizon. Coming off back to back trips to the College Football Playoff, the day comes with the chance to be a coronation for the Oregon Ducks. Dan Lanning and the coaching staff have built an elite roster that many have tabbed the championship favorites.
Preseason polls are hard to get excited about as they’re mostly judging a team on what they’ve done in the past, but they’re also a great judge of what the country thinks they’ll do this season. Dan Lanning said it best in his appearance on Next Round Live when he wished that the Ducks would be ranked 137th every year for the added motivation, but that was never going to happen on Monday.
Oregon earns 2nd overall ranking in initial AP Poll
On Monday, the Associated Press unveiled the Preseason AP Poll, and the Oregon Ducks hunt for the National Championship will start with the No. 2 when they take the field against Boise State.
BREAKING: Preseason College Football AP Poll🚨https://t.co/JL3USE6MnT pic.twitter.com/wImUOmUUg5
— On3 (@On3) August 17, 2026
The Ducks trail only Ohio State in the AP Poll which is the same exact outcome as the Preseason Coaches Poll where the Buckeyes were also the only team ahead of Oregon. The biggest difference between the two schools was the 1st place votes as Ohio State racked up 40 to Oregon's 14 votes.
Given all the respect that Ohio State has gotten heading into such an exciting year for the Ducks, it blends Oregon getting respect with giving Dan Lanning something to motivate the team. The Ducks get to face Ohio State this season, and after the beating Oregon took in the Rose Bowl, this ranking only adds fuel to the fire.
Oregon is hoping to finally win a National Championship, and the Ducks are going to have to beat the best to be the best. The Ducks will get their chance to be battled tested when they face the Buckeyes, and Dan Lanning will be able to harp on Ohio State getting all the respect as the program builds to that point.
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