While the Indiana Hoosiers are defending national champions, finished off a 16-0 season, and brought in another impressive transfer portal class under Curt Cignetti, most have expected that the Big Ten Championship will run through two other programs: the Ohio State Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks.Ohio State lived up to the billing, with an overwhelmingly dominant win over Ball State.Far from a top opponent, sure, but the Buckeyes did exactly what they needed to as the country's number one team in their opening game.
Oregon though? Not exactly.OREGON RALLIES FROM SLOW START, THWARTS BOISE STATE'S UPSET BID IN SEASON OPENEROregon’s Davon Benjamin and Brandon Finney Jr.celebrate after a play during a college football game against Boise State at Autzen Stadium on Sept.
5, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon.(Al Sermeno/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)The Ducks struggled for most of the first half against Boise State, then found themselves tied with just over eight minutes to go in the game after a Broncos field goal.
But after a quick touchdown drive to take a 34-27 lead, the Oregon defense stiffened, and closed out the win with back-to-back stops.That said, the Ducks dominated more than the scoreline indicated.
They averaged nearly eight yards per play, allowing just 4.2 to Boise State.They had 10 yards per attempt passing, with 28 completions on 38 attempts for 378 yards, while adding three sacks and four tackles for loss on defense.
The scoreline was close, but Ducks fans can be encouraged that they "deserved" a more decisive outcome.Then there's the "second tier" of the Big Ten, teams that have hoped coaching staff changes and another year of development for start quarterbacks will make the difference: Michigan and USC.SC brought in defensive coordinator Gary Patterson to finally make the Trojans defensive unit championship quality.
Michigan, after a year of turmoil after the firing of Sherrone Moore, hired Kyle Whittingham away from Utah, a head coach known for his c...