The 2026 football season is right around the corner, and expectations couldn't be higher for the Oregon Ducks as they look to finally break through and secure the program's first-ever national championship. The Big Ten Conference's media days open on July 28 and continue through July 30. The three-day event will offer fans and media alike their first glimpse into Oregon's mentality ahead of the season, as well as insight into how the Ducks are addressing the biggest questions surrounding the season.The road to the College Football Playoff championship game will be far from easy. The Ducks' strength of schedule sits just outside the top 25 at No. 26 in the nation and No. 8 per ESPN's Resume College Football Power Index.Oregon head coach Dan Lanning leads the Ducks onto the field as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectThe Ducks will have to face both USC and Ohio State on the road, as well as host a revamped Michigan program at Autzen Stadium over the course of the season.Luckily for Oregon, there is a lot more certainty on this year's roster. Last season, there were significant question marks about the experience of the team. This year, the Ducks are back with key returners, an experienced quarterback at the helm and a handful of rising sophomores and juniors with postseason experience under their belts.Although there are certainly fewer questions surrounding the Ducks heading into 2026 compared to a season ago, there are still three very pressing questions for coach Dan Lanning's program heading into the season.Can Dante Moore take final leap to Heisman-caliber quarterback?The Ducks return one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in Dante Moore. Moore is fresh off a season where he completed over 70 percent of his passes and threw for over 3,565 yards. 2025 was a successful season for Moore, to say the least, but now the question is whether or not Moore can take the final leap into Heisman-caliber territory.Combat Ducks quarterback Dante Moore looks to pass during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectThe biggest setback for Dante Moore was his 10 interceptions across 15 games. The quarterback was also sacked 17 times for a loss of 128 yards. If Moore can clean up those mistakes heading into the season, he could very well be in New York City as a Heisman finalist, and the conversation is already beginning.Over the summer, Oregon launched a global marketing campaign centered around its quarterback during the program's Tokyo Oregon Football Showcase.Oregon unveiled massive green-and-yellow digital billboards featuring Moore throughout Tokyo's famous Shinjuku and Shibuya districts. The campaign, headlined with the slogan "Yes, There's Moore!" quickly went viral.How will new Oregon Ducks coordinators adapt?Following the departure of both offensive coordinator Will Stein, who was hired as head coach at Kentucky, and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, who was hired as head coach at Cal, Oregon promoted two key staff members from within to take over play-calling duties for 2026.Oregon offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer during a press conference on March 14, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectDrew Mehringer, Oregon's former tight ends coach, will take over as offensive coordinator, while Chris Hampton, who previously served as Oregon's co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, will take over the defense.The promotions provide Oregon with continuity, but shifting from assistant coach to primary play-caller for a national championship contender comes with pressure, and Oregon doesn't have much room for error.With Dante Moore returning, an elite defensive line and high preseason expectations, Mehringer and Hampton are stepping directly into a high-stakes title push.Mehringer will have to adjust from managing the tight end room to managing the play clock, sequencing plays, personnel packages and the way defenses react on the fly. He will also be tasked with building a game plan that plays to Moore's strengths while helping him avoid the double-clutch interceptions and unnecessary sacks that hurt him last season.New co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Chris Hampton, right, joins the first practice of spring for Oregon football as they prepare for the 2023 season.