The Oregon Ducks enter the month of November amid a season that got off to a disappointing start, but there's still a ton to play for. While the Ducks currently hold a 5-3 record with just a 3-2 record in conference play, being ranked 23rd in the initial College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings still gives the team a chance to earn a bid into the Playoff.
This weekend starts the run for the Ducks as Oregon faces off against No. 12 Ohio State, and a win could vault the Ducks up the rankings. As Oregon enters the final month of the season, getting players off the injury report and into the lineup is important, and help is on the way this weekend.
Jeremiah McClellan returns at the perfect time for the Oregon Ducks
This week, Jeremiah McClellan moved from out on the injury report to probable, and on Friday, CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported that the Ducks will finally get the star wide receiver back into the lineup.
Oregon starting wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan, who has missed the last six games due to an injury, is set to return to game action and play tomorrow when the No. 23 Ducks face No. 12 Ohio State, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 6, 2026
Had six catches for 150 yards and a TD in Oregon’s… pic.twitter.com/ypPRBjuaha
The Ducks have been without Jeremiah McClellan since the second game of the season, as he suffered a broken foot before the Portland State game. In the Boise State game, it looked like McClellan could be the breakout star of the season for the Ducks, catching 6 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown.
Getting Jeremiah McClellan back into the mix comes at the perfect time for the Ducks, heading into the final stretch of the season. Dakorien Moore has been fed targets with the injuries at receiver, and with Moore and Evan Stewart both banged up, McClellan can help take pressure off both starters while giving Dylan Raiola another target to rely on.
Messiah Hampton remains sidelined after his arrest last week, and a timeline for his return remains unclear, so McClellan helps reinforce the wide receiver room. The passing attack is going to need to step up this weekend with Jordon Davison out with injury facing a defense that creates problems for most offenses.
Ohio State boasts one of the best defenses in the country, especially against the pass, so the Ducks need every weapon possible available this weekend. The Buckeyes are allowing just 177.8 passing yards per game, ranking 21st in the country and 10th among Power 4 teams.
Where Ohio State has been vulnerable has been in Big Ten play, as Charlie Becker and Trent Mosley have each beaten the Buckeyes for 100+ yards and a touchdown. Throwing multiple playmakers at the Buckeyes, like USC and Indiana, should only help the Ducks' offense this weekend, even with a backup quarterback under center.
Beating the Buckeyes would give Oregon a chance to salvage a season that started with hopes of making the College Football Playoff, and it'll take an all hands on deck performance to pull off the upset win on the road.
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