For Oregon Ducks College Football Playoff Run in 2017 May Not Be Realistic

With the struggles on Defense and inconsistency on Defense, Oregon may be looking at 2018 for relevancy.

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The plan was for a season to reinvent, to use the influx of new talent to make a run at the College Football Playoff. With three losses a bowl game looks slim right now. A down year at Oregon was never really planned, but the hopes of being relevant and in the College Football Playoff Conversation in 2017 are also are now at risk.

With each ‘L’ in the Loss column this season, the chances of ending the season ranked in the Top 25 and making a move early next year are dwindling. Right now, mathematically, Oregon still has a shot at the Pac-12 North. Of course a lot has to happen in their favor and they need to help themselves by winning. It starts with Washington this weekend.

While beating a Top 5 team will knock Washington down a peg or two, a three-loss Oregon team will not see a number or a rank with a win. In order to become relevant again, Mark Helfrich needs to turn things around and get Wins. Another loss may not only mean his job is at risk, but also may push any talk of a National Championship run to 2018.

The Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies take the field at Autzen Stadium on Saturday at 4:30pm Pacific Time on FOX.