Given the way that Oregon Ducks' season has unfolded, a lot of the hope for the Ducks to go on a magical run to the National Championship has faded with all the injuries to stars like Dante Moore. While the Ducks sit at just 5-3 on the season, and making the College Football Playoff seems unlikely, it's still far too early to stop dreaming.
Given all the chaos around the country, it's not impossible for the Ducks to earn an at-large bid if they finish 9-3, and with the talent on the roster, this team can win any game. Add in the fact that the 3 most talented rosters in the Big Ten are dealing with quarterback issues, and anyone can seemingly anything can unfold in November.
Oregon fans should be rooting on Lincoln Riley in November
If there's one clear path to making the College Football Playoff for the Ducks, it's by winning the Big Ten Championship. The Ducks have 3 losses, but with just 2 coming in conference play, Oregon has a much easier path to the postseason by racking up wins in Big Ten play. UCLA is the only unbeaten team in Big Ten play, and with Ohio State and Indiana being the only 1 loss team, the Ducks aren't quite dead yet.
Of course, Oregon's chances of going on this magical run to the College Football Playoff starts with the Ducks winning out. Beating Ohio State next weekend would give the two teams the same conference record, and the Ducks the tiebreaker over the Buckeyes should the teams finish conference play with the same record. Michigan, Michigan State, and Washington loom after the Buckeyes, and each is a very winnable game.
Where the Ducks will need some help is with Indiana taking a second loss in conference play, and the USC Trojans could be the Ducks best friend. Over the final month, USC faces Indiana, Maryland, and UCLA, and the Trojans winning out would give the Ducks the tiebreaker if there were a 4-way tie at the end of the season.
The Bruins will need to give the Ducks a hand in handing Illinois another conference loss given that the Illini hold the head to head win over Oregon. Given how Illinois is down their starting quarterback, and how UCLA has played under Bob Chesney, the Ducks aren't asking for a lot.
Rooting for Lincoln Riley isn't fun, as it's far more enjoyable to point and laugh each time the Trojans' season goes sideways, but if it helps the Ducks, it's impossible to root against them. Knowing how USC has fared under Lincoln Riley, the Trojans will likely find a way to beat Indiana, but lose one of the easier games left on their slate just to let everyone down.
Everything starts and ends with the Oregon Ducks playing better football, and starting to win games. Each time the Ducks have built momentum, it’s led to a massive let down, so the true test starts with beating Ohio State.
Add us as a preferred source on Google