So, you’re looking for the Oregon Ducks ranking and probably seeing a whole bunch of different numbers floating around. It’s confusing. One minute they’re in the top five, the next someone’s talking about them being lower in the transfer portal standings, and if you just watched that Peach Bowl, you might be wondering how they were ranked that high to begin with.
Let's get the big number out of the way first. As of mid-January 2026, the Oregon Ducks ranking sits at No. 5 in the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. They finished the 2025-26 season with a 13-2 record.
But a "5" next to a name doesn't really tell the story of how they got there or why some fans are actually a little bummed out despite a top-five finish.
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The Reality of the No. 5 Ranking
Honestly, being the fifth-best team in the country is a massive achievement, but for Oregon, it’s a bit bittersweet. They were a juggernaut for most of the year. Dan Lanning has turned Eugene into a literal factory for high-level football. They cruised through a brutal Big Ten schedule, finishing 8-1 in the conference. Their only regular-season blemish? A 30-20 loss to Indiana back in October.
That loss actually defined their season more than people realize. It was the difference between a first-round bye and having to fight through the early stages of the expanded College Football Playoff.
Here is how the final postseason rankings shook out for the Ducks:
- Final AP Rank: 5
- Final CFP Seed: 5
- Final Record: 13-2
- Big Ten Standing: 3rd (Behind Indiana and Ohio State)
The Ducks actually looked like the team to beat in December. They absolutely dismantled James Madison 51-34 in the first round at Autzen. Then they went to the Orange Bowl and put on a defensive clinic, shutting out Texas Tech 23-0. People were starting to whisper "National Championship" again.
Then the Peach Bowl happened.
That Peach Bowl Meltdown vs. Indiana
If you’re wondering why the Oregon Ducks ranking isn't No. 1 or No. 2, look no further than Atlanta on January 9, 2026. The Ducks got humbled. There’s no other way to put it. Indiana—led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza—put up 56 points on an Oregon defense that had been elite all season.
Oregon lost 56-22. It wasn't just a loss; it was a statement. It’s why the Ducks stayed at No. 5 while Indiana and Miami (FL) moved toward the title game.
Why the ranking stayed high despite the blowout
You might think a 34-point loss would tank a team's ranking. Usually, it does. But Oregon’s "body of work" was just too good to ignore. You can't ignore wins over Penn State, USC, and Washington.
The committee and the AP voters looked at that 23-0 shutout of Texas Tech in the quarterfinals and decided that while Oregon wasn't on Indiana’s level that day, they were still better than almost everyone else.
The "New" Ranking: Looking at the 2026 Roster
Now, if you are looking at the Oregon Ducks ranking because you’re thinking about next year, the "ranking" you should care about is the Transfer Portal Ranking.
As of January 13, 2026, the Ducks are actually ranked No. 18 in the On3 Transfer Portal rankings. This is a bit of a shocker for Lanning, who usually dominates the portal.
They’ve lost a few key pieces to the portal recently, but they've also brought in some heavy hitters:
- Michael Bennett (Offensive Tackle) - A massive get to protect the next QB.
- Carl Williams (Safety) - Needed help in the secondary after the Indiana disaster.
The loss of guys like Dillon Gabriel and Jordan James to the NFL Draft is huge. Gabriel went No. 94 overall to the Browns, and James went to the 49ers in the 5th round. Replacing that production is why the "way-too-early" 2026 rankings might have Oregon a little lower—maybe in the 8 to 12 range—until we see who wins the starting job under center.
Dante Moore and the Future
Dante Moore is the name everyone is watching. He was phenomenal in the Orange Bowl, showing off that 72.9% completion rate. Most scouts are already calling him a top-five pick for the 2026 NFL Draft.
If Moore stays healthy and the defense fixes the holes that Indiana exposed, Oregon will be right back in the top four by September.
What to Watch For Next
If you want to keep tabs on the Oregon Ducks ranking, don't just look at the AP Poll. The "rankings" that matter right now are:
- Recruiting Class Rankings: Oregon is currently hovering around the Top 10 nationally.
- Spring Game Hype: Keep an eye on the defensive line depth.
- Post-Spring Portal Window: Lanning usually makes a second move here to grab veteran starters.
The Ducks are in a weird spot. They are officially a "Blue Blood" now in terms of consistency, but they still haven't climbed that final mountain. A No. 5 finish is great for the resume, but for a program that spends like Oregon and recruits like Oregon, it’s just the first step.
Check back in April after the spring ball circuit. That’s when the real 2026 preseason rankings will start to solidify, and we'll see if the Ducks can leapfrog Ohio State and Indiana for that top spot in the Big Ten.
Actionable Insights for Ducks Fans:
- Monitor the On3 Transfer Portal rankings specifically for interior defensive linemen; that’s the Ducks' biggest area of need following the Peach Bowl loss.
- Watch for the final 2025 AP Poll release after the National Championship game on January 19 to see if Oregon slides to 6 or holds at 5.
- Follow Dante Moore's offseason training camp reports, as his development is the single biggest factor in Oregon's 2026 preseason ranking.