Oregon's 2026 defense against USC will look different compared to 2025
· Yahoo Sports
Oregon has two new coordinators as it prepares for the 2026 season and the huge game against USC. The new defensive coordinator is Chris Hampton. Ducks Wire notes that Hampton is taking what can reasonably be viewed as a wait-and-see approach for a defense which will look different from 2025.
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"When Tosh Lupoi left his post as defensive coordinator for the Oregon Ducks, part of the reason Chris Hampton was promoted to fill the role was to keep some consistency moving into 2026. That's worked out well for the Ducks so far, bringing back arguably the best defensive line in the country and setting big expectations for the young secondary to improve off an already great 2025. That doesn't mean Hampton isn't ready to do things his way, however. Since he arrived at Oregon in 2023, he has seen how the Ducks have shifted schemes and game plans to fit both the opponent and the roster in Eugene. Heading into 2026, the job is no different.
"While the Ducks have typically had a reliable pass rush, which should continue to be the case next season, Hampton's secondary poses an intriguing question for the first-year defensive coordinator to answer this spring.
"'My first year here, we were probably primarily a four-down, outside leveraged nickel team," Hampton said. 'My second year, we had Derrick Harmon, Jamaree Caldwell, Jordan Burch. We were more of a three-down, inside leverage nickel team. Last season, we had Dillon Thieneman; we were more of a four-down umbrella safety team. And I think this year we just see, you know, how it pans out.'"
Lincoln Riley has not been able to put up huge numbers against the Oregon defense since Lanning arrived. USC hasn't been dominated, but it has not been able to dominate itself. That's the standard USC is shooting for. Lincoln Riley has to be ready and able to adjust to the new look of Oregon's 2026 defense.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Oregon's 2026 defense against USC will look different compared to 2025