As the 2015 regular season comes to a close this week with games that will determine where Oregon will go bowling, one of the many possibilities that is beginning to become more clear is that the Oregon Ducks will head to Texas and the Alamo Bowl, but some big things have to happen for Mark Helfrich to see his team in San Antonio. Another possible outcome could see Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
Here is the Rose Bowl Breakdown:
- USC must upset Stanford on Saturday Night
- Florida MUST Beat Alabama(likely not going to happen)
- North Carolina MUST Beat Clemson(really not going to happen)
If Stanford can creep into the CFP Top 4, the Rose would fall to the Pac-12 team with the next best record. a three loss Oregon team with momentum would be taken over USC with 5 losses. So, in the words of Dumb and Dumber – yes, I’m saying there is a chance.
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There is an outside chance that the Fiesta Bowl could be in play for the Oregon Ducks – again Stanford would likely have to work their way into the College Football Playoff, but an Oregon vs say Notre Dame matchup could be in the cards and the alumni and fanbases of both the Ducks and Fighting Irish would gobble up tickets faster than the Thanksgiving turkey.
The Alamo Bowl is another possible landing spot in a game that many are saying could have the Oregon Ducks facing a TCU or Baylor which would make for an intriguing game and would also likely draw fans and alumni to spend New Year’s Eve in Texas. (I hear Riverwalk is quite nice.) The Alamo Bowl reps have been at Autzen to watch Oregon the last three games. Another fit here may be Washington State. Head Coach Mike Leach has Texas ties and that may push Oregon down rung in the bowl options for the Pac-12 Conference.
The most clear choice for the Oregon Ducks as it stands may be the Holiday Bowl is to play Wisconsin. The Holiday is commonly played against the 3rd ranked team in the Pac-12 team against the Big Ten’s second, third or fourth team ranked in the conference. Wisconsin ( 9-3, 6-2 Big Ten) has played extremely well this season, their three loses come from ranked teams, 2 Alabama, 4 Iowa and 16 Northwestern.
The Wisconsin Badgers are the third ranked defense in the country holding opponents to 169.2 yards passing a game, 97.9 yards rushing and only allowing a average of 13.1 points a game. Oregon would challenge the Badgers third ranked defense as the Ducks have the 6th ranked offense in the nation. Oregon averages 287.8 rushing a game and scores 43.2 points a game. The battle between a great defense and offense is what fans love to see, in the past Oregon has struggled with physical defense .
Royce Freeman is third in rushing with 1,706 yards on the season and 14 rushing touchdowns. It would be interesting to see if the Badgers could slow down Freeman. To fans this is the most exciting choice. Other possibilities for the Holiday Bowl the Ducks could face are Northwestern ( 10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) and Penn State ( 7-5, 4-4 Big Ten).
The Oregon Ducks also have a possibility of playing in the Sun Bowl against Pittsburgh ( 8-4, 6-2 ACC). Pittsburgh found a gem in Freshman running back Qadree Ollison who leads the team in rushing with 1,048 yards off of 204 carries, for an 5.1 average and 10 touchdowns scored. The Panthers Junior quarterback is having a solid season throwing for 2,150, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. His favorite target is wide receiver Tyler Body, who as caught 85 passes for 873 yards and six touchdowns. Oregon defense will have to step up to stop the standout wide receiver. The Oregon Offense is the equalizer here and this is probably one of their match ups that favor them. The Ducks could also face Louisville (7-5, 5-3 ACC) and Miami ( 8-4, 5-3 ACC).
Next: Oregon Ducks Fall to Wisconsin in NCAA Tourament
Wisconsin remains the Ducks toughest match up in all of the Bowl game scenarios, so any other team is a favorable match up for the Ducks. Oregon did figure out the riddle to Stanford defense, so it should be no different know that Vernon Adams is back at full health. A matchup with the Badgers would also be one of the more intriguing games of the Bowl season if it does in fact come to fruition.
(Steve Olson and Justin Phillips contributed to this article)