It could happen. It's right there.
Everybody does a preseason bracket, a staple among college football pundits. Joel Klatt has the Ducks making the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, winning a first-round game at Autzen but losing to Clemson in the quarterfinal.
Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman have the Ducks missing the playoff at 9-3. Feldman projects them to lose three road games at Penn State, then at Iowa and at Washington in November. He describes the Ducks as "this year's FSU," a team that's destined to fall out of the Top Ten.
At FanDuel Oregon's over/under is 10.5 wins. They are +1300 to win the national championship, seventh-best odds to win their first national title behind Texas, Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State, Alabama and Clemson.
Then there is this beauty from Josh Pate of "Josh Pate's College Football Show," ESPN and On3 Sports.
Josh Pate @JoshPateCFB has picked Alabama to win the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship.
— Sidelines - Bama (@SSN_Alabama) August 22, 2025
The Tide defeat Ohio State, Texas, and finally Oregon in the national championship game in Pate’s playoff prediction bracket. pic.twitter.com/9PELRzGwYB
With games beginning today with the "Farmageddon" clash of Iowa State and Kansas State in Ireland, it's the last day college football fans have to endure projections, predictions and hypothetical playoff brackets, but this one is a doozy for Duck fans.
Pate has No. 4-seed Oregon winning a neutral site game over Clemson, beating Penn State in the semifinals and advancing to the national championship against Alabama at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Monday January 19.
Not a down has been played yet. The Ducks have those three tough road games in a conference with improved depth and parity throughout. Indiana is a tough game. Kinnick Stadium and Beaver Stadium are hostile environments. Minnesota, USC and Washington will all take their shot.
The Ducks face five opponents coming off a bye. They have a new quarterback, questions at wide receiver and a reloaded offensive line.
By any objective measure, emerging with an 11-1 season and marching all the way to the College Football final would be a great season, but it's another season of almost.
If the Ducks can get that close, they could go all the way. Oregon now has as much depth and talent and any team in college football, even Alabama. They could win this.
But to achieve that, a lot of things have to come together, with players like Dakorien Moore, Matayo Uiagalelei and Kenyon Sadiq achieving greatness. Tackles Alex Harkey and Isaiah World must have improve their footwork and show they can handle elite edge rushers. Oregon's running back committee must emerge as potent and explosive.
All of this could happen. It's never been more possible than it is this year. The Ducks could go deep. In Miami, the stadium would likely be 80 percent Crimson, but they've faced down hostile environments before.
The test begins. It's okay to dream big, with the willingness to adjust expectations later.