Honestly, trying to keep up with the Oregon Ducks lately feels like chasing a track star in a rainstorm. One minute they're wrapping up a brutal playoff run in the Peach Bowl, and the next, everyone is scrambling to figure out if Dante Moore is really coming back or if the Big Ten travel schedule is actually as exhausting as it looks on paper.
If you're asking who are the Oregon ducks playing, you’re probably looking at a split screen right now. Half the world is still buzzing about that January 9th semifinal loss to Indiana—yeah, that 56-22 score stung—while the other half is already booking flights to Stillwater for the fall.
It’s a weird time in Eugene. We’re in that awkward gap where basketball is in the thick of conference play, but the football hype for 2026 is already hitting a fever pitch because of some massive non-conference matchups.
The Immediate Slate: Basketball and Winter Sports
Right now, if you want to catch a game today, January 17, 2026, the action is at Matthew Knight Arena. The men’s basketball team is hosting the Michigan Wolverines. It’s a huge 1:00 PM tip-off. Michigan has always been a tough out, but playing in Eugene with that floor—honestly, it’s an advantage you can’t quantify until you’re sitting there.
After Michigan, the schedule doesn’t get any easier. Here is how the next few weeks look for the men:
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- January 20: Home against the Michigan State Spartans. Tom Izzo in Eugene? That’s going to be a loud one.
- January 25: Heading up north to Seattle. The Washington Huskies rivalry never takes a day off, regardless of the sport.
- January 28: Back home to face the UCLA Bruins.
The women’s team is also grinding. They’re on the road tomorrow, January 18, taking on Wisconsin at the Kohl Center. Then they head back to Oregon to host Minnesota on the 21st. It’s a lot of travel, but that’s the reality of life in the Big Ten now.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Football Schedule
While hoops is the "now," football is the "always" in Oregon. The 2025 season just ended with a deep playoff run, and the 2026 schedule is already looking like a gauntlet. Dan Lanning has turned this program into a recruiting juggernaut, but the schedule makers aren't doing him any favors.
The season kicks off on September 5, 2026, against Boise State. If you’ve followed the Ducks for a while, you know this isn't just a "warm-up" game. There’s history there. There’s grit. Boise State always plays Oregon like it’s their Super Bowl.
The following week, September 12, the Ducks fly to Stillwater to play Oklahoma State. This is the second half of a home-and-home, and after Oregon blew them out 69-3 last year in Eugene, you can bet the Cowboys have that date circled in red ink.
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The Big Ten Gauntlet
Once conference play starts, the flight miles really start to pile up. We don't have all the exact kickoff times yet—thanks, TV networks—but we know the opponents.
The Ducks have to travel to Columbus to play Ohio State. That is arguably the game of the year in college football. Oregon has had the Buckeyes' number recently, winning two of the last three, but "The Shoe" is a different beast entirely.
They also host Michigan and Nebraska at Autzen. The Nebraska game is particularly spicy because of the Dylan Raiola rumors that have been swirling through the transfer portal. Whether he’s under center for the Huskers or somehow wearing green and yellow by then, it’s a narrative the media is going to milk for all it's worth.
Why This Schedule Matters More Than Usual
The 2026 season feels different because the "newness" of the Big Ten has worn off, and now it’s just about survival. Oregon finished 17-1 in conference play over their first two years. That’s insane. But maintaining that level of dominance when you’re flying to Illinois (first time since '93!) and Michigan State is a massive logistical hurdle.
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Dante Moore deciding to skip the NFL Draft to return for another season changed everything. Suddenly, those +800 national championship odds look a lot more realistic. When you have a veteran QB who knows how to handle the noise in places like Ohio Stadium, you’re never out of a game.
Actionable Tips for Fans
If you're planning on catching a game this year, don't wait.
- Tickets: For basketball, the Michigan and Michigan State games are almost sold out. Check the secondary markets now if you don't have season passes.
- Travel: If you’re eyeing that Oklahoma State away game in September, book your Stillwater hotel yesterday. It’s a small town with limited options, and Ducks fans travel well.
- Gear: With the "Stripe Out" and "Yellow Out" themes already being teased for the 2026 football season, keep an eye on the official @GoDucks social accounts so you don't show up in the wrong color.
The Ducks are currently balancing a top-tier basketball season with the massive expectations of a football program that is "National Championship or bust." Keep an eye on the injury reports this week for the basketball squad, as a few nagging ankle issues could shift the betting lines for the Michigan game.
Stay tuned to the local Eugene broadcasts for the most up-to-date tip-off times, as the Big Ten Network loves to flex these games into different windows at the last minute.