Oregon football viewed as title contenders: Where Ducks rank preseason US LBM Coaches Poll
The high expectations for the Oregon football team this season aren't just coming from within.
The Ducks will open the season ranked in the top 5 as they landed at No. 3 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll released Monday morning.
Oregon received 1,228 points and is behind No. 1 Georgia (1,364) and new Big Ten rival No. 2 Ohio State (1,302).
With a schedule that includes games against two teams also ranked in the top 10, it will soon be time for the Ducks to live up to the hype.
"I think we know if we put things together the right way we'll be right where we want to be," said quarterback Dillon Gabriel a week ago during Oregon football media day at Autzen Stadium. "But there's steps to take to get to that point and we can't skip any steps."
Oregon and preseason conference favorite Ohio State weren't the only teams from the Big Ten to get recognition.
Michigan, winner of last season's College Football Playoff championship, is ranked No 8, Penn State is No. 9, Southern California is No. 23 and Iowa is No. 25.
Washington, which lost to the Wolverines in the championship game, received the most votes of any team not in the top 25. Other Big Ten teams to receive votes were Wisconsin and Maryland.
The absence of the Huskies — as well as 2024 nonconference opponent Boise State — from the top 25 were considered two of the biggest snubs of the preseason poll.
The season begins Aug. 31 against Idaho at Autzen Stadium with the potential to play up to Jan. 20 in the CFP championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
To get there, the Ducks will first have to navigate a schedule that includes five conference teams who are ranked or received votes in the preseason poll — the Buckeyes (Oct. 12), Maryland (Nov. 9) and Washington (Nov. 30) at Autzen Stadium, and at Michigan (Nov. 2) and at Wisconsin (Nov. 16).
The Ducks' conference schedule also includes home games against Michigan State and Illinois, and road games at UCLA and Purdue.
"I'm definitely excited to get to those places and see those stadiums," offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius said. "I'm excited to compete with those Big Ten teams but right now I'm just focused on having the best fall camp I can have."
The Ducks went 12-2 last season, their second under coach Dan Lanning, with both losses coming against the Huskies — one in the regular season in Seattle and the other in the Pac-12 championship game in Las Vegas. Their season ended with a 45-6 romp of Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day.
The plan is to be playing deeper into January this time around.
"To manage the expectations is to exceed them everyday," outside linebacker Emar'rion Winston said, "compared to looking toward the future and the big goal a lot of people are attempting to achieve."
Follow Chris Hansen on X @chansen_RG or email at chansen@registerguard.com. For more sports coverage, visit registerguard.com.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon Ducks football will start season with a top-5 ranking
