Oregon opens at No. 2, chasing elusive first national title

Oregon enters the 2026 season ranked No. 2 in the AP preseason poll, their highest ever, after two decades of top-five finishes but no national championship. The Ducks have lost title games in 2010 and 2014 and suffered other late-season collapses. The article examines whether this year's team can finally break through and become the first FBS program to win its initial title.