Sporting News: Preseason Top 25 Puts Oregon Ducks at Number Two

Sep 7, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Oregon Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) breaks up a pass intended for Virginia Cavaliers running back Khalek Shepherd (23) as defensive back Brian Jackson (12) looks on in the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Sporting News has released their Preseason Top 25 for the upcoming 2014 College Football season and the Oregon Ducks are near the top. SN has put Marcus Mariota and company at number two, with Oklahoma starting the year holding the number one spot. In recent years this meant that if it held these two teams would battle it out for the National Title, but starting this season it is different. Instead of vowing for two spots, teams across the country are looking to be in the top four for the first College Football Playoff.

The Oregon Ducks are in the thick of it, as it stands right now. Florida State and Alabama round out the top four teams with several Pac-12 teams also making the Preseason Top 25 list. Stanford enters the poll just out of the top five at number six and ULCA comes in at number eight. Arizona State is unlucky thirteen, and USC looks to rebound at number sixteen.Washington closes out the Pac-12 for the Top 25 at number twenty one.

One of the more hyped matchups of the 2014 season has Michigan State coming to Oregon to face the Ducks in Autzen Stadium on Saturday, September 4th. The Spartans enter the preseason list at number twelve. Oregon starts the regular season on Saturday, August 30th vs South Dakota.

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