Way Too Early Michigan Football Opponent Preview: Week 10 at Oregon

Michigan will open the season with non-conference games against Western Michigan, Oklahoma, and UTEP. They have the tough early test against Oklahoma and their Big Ten schedule is also very difficult with Iowa at home, at Minnesota, home games against Penn State and Indiana, Rutgers on the road, and at home against Michigan State before their week ten game.

In week ten they travel to Eugene, OR to take on one of the best teams in the country entering 2026 in the Oregon Ducks. Let's dive more into how that matchup looks pre-season below.

2025 Recap

Last season Oregon had a really good year, finishing at 13-2 after reaching the College Football Playoff. They went 8-1 in Big Ten play but missed the conference championship game because both Indiana and Ohio State went 9-0 in Big Ten play. In the playoff, they beat James Madison 51-34 in the first round, as well as Texas Tech by a score of 23-0. Their season came to an end in the semifinal as they lost to the eventual National Champions, the Indiana Hoosiers, 56-22.

In 2025 Oregon was 11th in scoring offense, and 16th in total offense. On defense they were 12th in scoring defense, and 7th in total defense. They were a nearly elite team in college football last season, but were blown out by a red hot Hoosiers team in the playoffs.

Dante Moore led the offense last year, throwing for 3,565 yards while completing an astounding 71.8% of his passes with 30 TD's and 10 INT's. They had a bit of a three-headed dragon in the backfield with Noah Whittington, Jordan Davison, and Dierre Hill Jr all rushing for over 500 yards and more than 5 TD's.

In terms of pass catchers, they were led by Kenyon Sadiq at tight end who caught 51 passes for 560 yards and 8 TD's. Malik Benson caught 43 passes for 719 yards and 6 TD's, but it was Sadiq who was the focal point of the passing game.

On defense they were led by Bryce Boettcher in tackles with 136, Teitum Tuioti in tackles for loss and sacks with16 TFL's, and 9.5 sacks. They were a very good, and well-rounded team in 2025. Let's see what's changed for 2026.

Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich reacts against the Wisconsin Badgers | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Moves made for 2026

The biggest change arguably for Oregon in 2026 is the loss of both coordinators. Offensive coordinator Will Stein is now the head coach at Kentucky, and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi who is now the head coach at Cal. Both of them were good, well respected coordinators that will need to be replaced.

Personnel wise, Dante Moore returns as a Heisman Trophy favorite. Also back in the backfield are Jordan Davison and Dierre Hill Jr who will both be just sophomores. Also back is another rising sophomore in Dakorien Moore who was a former 5-star recruit, who had a solid freshman season for the Ducks last year at wide receiver. Also back from injury is wide receiver Evan Stewart who missed all of 2025 with a serious leg injury. Those two should lead what will likely be an improved wide receiver corps for Oregon in 2026.

They do lose Kenyon Sadiq from last season, but they still return what might be another first round pick at tight end in Jamari Johnson who caught 32 passes for 510 yards and 3 TD's despite being tight end #2. Putting it simply, the Ducks are loaded at the skill positions on offense as they head in 2026.

On defense, back to lead them is the entire defensive line. A'Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander are maybe the best defensive tackle duo in the country. At defensive end, back are both Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei. All four of them have first round upside on the defensive line, and will all likely be drafted before the end of the third round in next year's NFL Draft.

They do lose All-big Ten safety Dillon Thieneman who was a first round pick, but brought in another star safety from Minnesota in Koi Perich to replace him. They also have some really good young cornerbacks who could take a step forward this season. Like the offense, on paper, Oregon is loaded on defense entering 2026. This has the look of the #1 team in the country to me this season.

Oregon’s Dante Moore runs for a first down during the first half of the Oregon Spring Game | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Why Michigan might falter against the Ducks

With all the talent coming back, Oregon is one of the National Title favorites entering 2026 and rightfully so. They could have multiple first round picks on both sides of the ball, and might have the #1 overall pick in Dante Moore at quarterback. Michigan also has to go on the road and play this veteran, star-studded Oregon Ducks team.

To me, this is the only game on the schedule where I'd give Michigan a small percentage chance to win this game with what we know pre-season. Oregon has the makings of a team who could run the table on their way to a National Championship, and Michigan has to go on the road and play the at their place. This would be a huge win if Michigan can go into their place and beat them in their own stadium, but with what we know about these two teams pre-season, something close to a 31-20 Oregon win is what I'd predict right now.

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