Autzen Audibles: Breaking down Oregon’s historic No. 2 ranking and Media Day takeaways

Oregon football enters the 2026 season with expectations as high as they have ever been, and the latest USA Today Coaches Poll only adds to the anticipation.On a new episode of the Autzen Audibles Podcast, DuckTerritory.com’s Matt Prehm and Erik Skopil break down Oregon’s No. 2 preseason ranking—the highest placement in program history in the Coaches Poll. The Ducks sit near the top of the national landscape as Dan Lanning prepares for his fifth season in Eugene and another run at the College Football Playoff.Prehm and Skopil discuss what the ranking says about the current state of the program, the pressure that comes with being viewed as a national championship contender and the biggest questions Oregon must answer before the season begins.The podcast also features observations and news from Oregon’s annual media day on August 3 inside Autzen Stadium. DuckTerritory spoke with 35 players, along with Lanning, to gather insight into the Ducks’ roster, leadership, offseason development and mindset entering fall camp.From veteran returners to new faces expected to make an impact, the guys share some of the most notable takeaways from a busy afternoon in Eugene and preview the storylines that will shape Oregon’s preseason.