It is an undeniable fact that Oregon will be in a bowl game this season. It is nearly an undeniable fact that the Ducks will earn a spot in the first-ever, 12-team College Football Playoffs this year.
After Week 9, Oregon sits with a perfect 8-0 record and as the No. 1 team in the nation. After defeating the then-No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes and the then-No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini, the Ducks look better and better every single week.
The biggest test still standing ahead of the Ducks is the Big Ten Championship game, which Oregon is almost guaranteed a spot in at this point. However, if Oregon can pull off the undefeated regular season and take down whichever conference opponent they meet in the Big Ten Championship, the Ducks will be sitting pretty in the postseason.
Early Bowl Projections for the Oregon Ducks
Before the season even kicked off, fans and professionals were speculating that the Oregon Ducks would earn a spot in the College Football Playoffs. With one of the most desirable head coaches in the country, an experienced and talented quarterback, and a top-tier defense, the Ducks were built for success this year.
As Oregon has stormed past its opponents, improving one week at a time, fans' excitement has only grown about what the postseason could hold for the Ducks.
Based on their (currently) flawless record and dominance in conference matchups thus far, here is an in-depth look at exactly where the Ducks could land after their regular season.
Possible Bowl Game Options for Oregon: Where Could They Play?
If the Ducks win the Big Ten title game, they would automatically earn a bye in the first round of the CFPs as the conference champions.
The traditional New Year's Six Bowls have been instituted into the Playoffs and the quarterfinals are comprised of four of the most desirable bowl games of the year. If Oregon maintains their No. 1 seed, they would earn said bye and face the winner of the No. 8 versus No. 9 game from the first round.
Also read: Week 9 College Football Playoff prediction: Oregon takes over No. 1 spot
In other words, if everything goes according to plan, there are four games that the Ducks could possibly end up in for their first round of the CFPs:
Bowl Game Name | Location | Date & Time | Projected Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
Fiesta Bowl | Glendale, AZ | Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 4:30 p.m. PT | No. 8 Notre Dame or No. 9 BYU |
Peach Bowl | Atlanta, GA | Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 10 a.m. PT | No. 5 Miami (FL) or No. 13 Indiana |
Rose Bowl | Pasadena, CA | Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. PT | No. 6 Texas or No. 11 Clemson/Iowa State |
Sugar Bowl | New Orleans, LA | Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 5:45 p.m. PT | No. 7 Tennessee or No. 10 Texas A&M |
Opponent projections are based on the current AP Top 25 rankings which do not affect the College Football rankings.
Key Games Left on Oregon’s Schedule
A few crucial games remain on the Ducks' regular-season schedule. From critical road wins to long-lived rivalries, here are a few key games that could determine Oregon's place in the CFPs:
Opponent | Location | Date | Impact on CFPs |
|---|---|---|---|
Michigan | Ann Arbor (AWAY) | Nov. 2 | Loss could affect Big Ten Championship berth |
Wisconsin | Madison (AWAY) | Nov. 16 | Loss could affect Big Ten Championship berth |
Washington | Eugene (HOME) | Nov. 30 | Loss could affect Big Ten Championship berth (plus, the Ducks hate losing to UW) |
Big Ten title game | Indianapolis (NEUTRAL) | Dec. 7 | Clinch CFP first-round bye |
Oregon's next matchup is against Michigan, in Ann Arbor and at the Big House which is one of the toughest Big Ten locations to visit. The Ducks and the Wolverines are scheduled to kick off at 12:30 p.m. PT on Nov. 2.