The Oregon Ducks, sitting at number two in the nation, have hit a crucial bye week after a gritty win at Penn State. It feels like the perfect moment to pause and size up what’s left on their schedule.
Looking at the remaining games from easiest to toughest can help us spot the real threats. Some matchups look like cakewalks, others not so much.
The Ducks’ trek through the Big Ten is a mixed bag—some teams are dangerous, some are still searching for answers. So, what’s actually in store for Oregon as they try to keep this run alive?
Overview of Oregon’s Remaining Schedule
Oregon’s 2-2 overall record (0-1 in the Big Ten) paints a picture of a team with both upside and real areas to clean up. Every game left has weight, especially with postseason hopes on the line.
Wisconsin Badgers
**Record:** 2-2 (0-1 in Big Ten)
**Last Meeting:** 2024 – Oregon won 16-13
**Series History:** Oregon leads 4-3
**Preseason Placement:** 7th
Wisconsin was supposed to be steadier this year, thanks to Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. But injuries have kept him off the field, and his backup has had turnover problems.
They beat Miami (OH) and Middle Tennessee State, but then got handled by Alabama and Maryland. If Edwards can get healthy, they might scrape into a bowl, but if not, Luke Fickell could feel the heat.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
**Record:** 3-2 (0-2 in Big Ten)
**Series History:** No previous meetings
**Preseason Placement:** 6th
Rutgers hasn’t backed down in losses to Iowa and Minnesota, but their schedule gets brutal from here. Facing Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Ohio State, and Penn State isn’t exactly a picnic.
Sophomore Antwan Raymond leads their ground game—he’s third in Big Ten rushing yards and tops in touchdowns. Still, playing so far from home could be a real problem for them.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
**Record:** 3-1 (1-0 in Big Ten)
**Last Meeting:** 2003 – Minnesota won 31-30
**Series History:** Minnesota leads 3-1
**Preseason Placement:** 5th
Minnesota’s been solid, even if their offense hasn’t truly clicked. They’re ninth in the conference for total offense, but just 12th in scoring.
They keep things tidy on the field, and their only loss so far is to Cal. Next up is Ohio State, which should be a reality check.
Facing Oregon in November? That’s another mountain to climb, especially since P.J. Fleck hasn’t exactly thrived in big games.
USC Trojans
**Record:** 4-1 (2-1 in Big Ten)
**Last Meeting:** 2023 – Oregon won 36-27
**Series History:** USC leads 38-23-2
**Preseason Placement:** 4th
USC’s offense under Lincoln Riley is still a juggernaut—fifth in the nation for scoring, third in total yards. Defense, though? That’s a different story, with rankings in the 60s and 70s.
Jayden Maiava, their junior QB, is lighting it up statistically. But with Michigan and Notre Dame up next, we’ll see if they’re for real or just putting up numbers.
Top Three Toughest Games
Iowa Hawkeyes
**Record:** 3-2 (1-1 in Big Ten)
**Last Meeting:** 1994 – Oregon won 40-18
**Series History:** Oregon leads 2-1
**Preseason Placement:** 1st
Iowa was pegged as Oregon’s second-toughest game, mostly because of Kinnick Stadium’s reputation and the arrival of Mark Gronowski at quarterback. But their offense has sputtered, especially in losses to Iowa State and Indiana.
Gronowski’s injury status is a big question mark. If he’s back and healthy, this game could get dicey for Oregon.
Washington Huskies
**Record:** 3-1 (0-1 in Big Ten)
**Last Meeting:** 2024 – Oregon won 49-21
**Series History:** Washington leads 63-49-5
**Preseason Placement:** 3rd
Washington’s place in the Big Ten pecking order isn’t settled yet. They blow out weaker teams but couldn’t keep up with Ohio State.
They’ve got talent—Demond Williams at quarterback, Jonah Coleman at running back, Denzel Boston at receiver. If they shore up the trenches, they could be a real handful, especially at Husky Stadium.
Indiana Hoosiers
**Record:** 5-0 (2-0 in Big Ten)
**Last Meeting:** 2004 – Indiana won 30-24
**Series History:** Oregon leads 2-1
**Preseason Placement:** 2nd
Indiana’s the only ranked team Oregon has left, which sets up a possible top-10 showdown at Autzen. Their season’s been a mix of blowouts and close calls.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is in the Heisman conversation, and their defense is top five nationally in both scoring and total yards allowed. If you’re looking for the toughest game left, it’s probably this one.
Conclusion
Oregon’s schedule ahead is honestly a bit of a rollercoaster. Some games look like a breeze, with opponents struggling to put points on the board.
Others? Not so much. There are a few matchups against ranked teams that could really shake things up for the Ducks.
They’ll have to keep their heads in the game if they want to hold on to their ranking. Consistency matters, but sometimes it’s just about showing up when it counts.
If you’re curious about how each game stacks up, check out the full breakdown on 247Sports.
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