While the Oregon Ducks already have 3 losses, making the College Football Playoff and even the Big Ten Championship Game isn't out of question. The College Football Playoff committee unveiled their Top 25 rankings this weekend, and ranked the Ducks 23rd, giving the team a glimpse into how far they need to climb down the stretch to make the postseason. This weekend brings the first big matchup for Dan Lanning's team, and presents a chance to leapfrog other contenders.
The hope of making the College Football Playoff starts with Oregon racking up wins, but the team is also going to need a ton of help. Starting this weekend, fans should have their eyes on other games in the Big Ten and Top 25, hoping to see some upsets that could spark movement.
The Big Ten results Oregon fans should be rooting for in Week 10
No. 23 Oregon to beat No. 12 Ohio State
Obviously, everything depends on Oregon winning games, and if the Ducks can't knock off Ohio State on Saturday, nothing else matters. The College Football Playoff committee has given the Ducks new life ranking Dan Lanning's team 23rd, and with hopes of making the Big Ten Championship still alive, there are plenty of paths for Oregon to save the season.
Nebraska to beat Illinois
Losing to Illinois could serve as a road block for the Ducks if Oregon is still hoping to make the Big Ten Championship Game. The good news for the Ducks is that if Nebraska can knock off the Illini it’ll bolster the win over the Huskers, while clearing that potential tiebreaker down the line.
Washington to beat Penn State
Later down the line this season, Oregon is going to need some of their opponents to have solid records in order to make a jump in the rankings. While everyone enjoys putting down the Washington Huskies, Oregon will have a chance to do that to end the regular season, but for now Jedd Fisch's team winning games isn't the worst outcome. The Ducks don't face Penn State this season, and having the Nittany Lions diminshed as a win for others only helps.
Michigan to beat Michigan State
After facing Ohio State, the Ducks face Michigan next weekend, and as Oregon looks to climb the rankings, the Wolverines can't lose this weekend. Kyle Whittingham's team hasn't lived up to the hype as a potential Playoff contender this season, but if they can finish the season strong with a loss to the Ducks, it could help Oregon's resume.
Northwestern to beat No. 19 Iowa
After picking up the win over the Wildcats on Saturday, the Ducks should become the biggest cheerleaders for the Wildcats, starting this weekend. Northwestern faces No. 19 Iowa on Saturday in a big clash in the Big Ten race. Handing the Hawkeyes a 3rd loss would bring them down to Oregon’s level while helping clear out a space in the Top 25.
No. 8 UCLA to beat Minnesota
Given that the UCLA Bruins are the lone unbeaten in Big Ten play, Bob Chesney's team continuing to win down the stretch could open things up for Oregon. Minnesota is among the massive logjam of 3-2 teams in league play, and a win by UCLA could clear a team out of the Ducks' path. The Gophers have a very managable schedule the rest of the way, and this could be the last true chance for PJ Fleck's team to take a loss.
The SEC results that can help the Ducks
No. 5 Alabama to beat No. 14 LSU
The College Football Playoff committee ranking Alabama 5th was the biggest shock of the rankings reveal, as the committee is clearly incredibly high on the Crimson Tide. While both teams have a pair of losses heading into this weekend, Alabama would certainly be ranked ahead of the Ducks if both had 3 losses.
Oklahoma to beat No. 24 Florida
Brent Venables' team has been a mess, firing offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, but the SEC has been chaotic, and could lead to some upsets this weekend. Oklahoma faces a vulnerable 3 loss Florida team, and a win for the Sooners would knock the Gators out of a potential debate against Oregon at the end of the season.
No. 2 Georgia to beat No. 10 Ole Miss
Kirby Smart's team has just 1 loss, and as they continue to face ranked teams, they could clear teams out of the race to help teams like Oregon. This weekend, the Bulldogs face the 10th ranked Ole Miss Rebels in a game with massive SEC/CFP stakes. A loss for the Rebels would give Pete Golding's team a 3rd loss with matchups against Oklahoma, Wofford, and Mississippi State left to potentially trip them up.
No. 6 Kentucky to beat No. 13 Tennessee
Will Stein could lend the Ducks a helping hand by giving Tennessee their 3rd loss of the season on Saturday. The SEC and Big Ten are constantly jockeying for bids in this expanded Playoff format, and the more 3+ loss teams in the SEC, the better for the Ducks. Tennessee has some impressive wins, but taking a 3rd loss with games against Texas A&M, LSU, and Vanderbilt left would be a tough path for the Vols.
Texas A&M to beat No. 21 South Carolina
In just a few weeks time, South Carolina fans have gone from calling for Shane Beamer's job to seeing their team enter the Top 25. While the Gamecocks have been on a run, they're still a vulnerable team with 3 losses, and a 4th would certainly end their hopes of making the Playoff. Texas A&M has the talent to pull off this upset, and coming off the bye they should be ready to make it happen.
No. 7 Texas to beat No. 18 Missouri
While No. 7 Texas vs. No. 18 Missouri is a matchup of two-loss teams, the Longhorns taking a 3rd loss wouldn't exactly help the Ducks. Texas has the best chance of any team to get in the Playoff if they end the year with 3 losses, thanks to their win over Ohio State. The Tigers still have games against No. 2 Georgia, No. 6 Kentucky, and Oklahoma left, meaning they're going to have a tough time the rest of the way.
The Big 12 results that favor the Ducks
No. 3 Utah to beat No. 9 BYU
The Holy War takes place this weekend with massive College Football Playoff stakes with both teams ranked inside the Top 10. Utah remains undefeated, and the front runner to win the Big 12 while BYU's stunning loss could end up haunting them with a second loss. The Utes winning the game would only strengthen their place in the CFP race, while BYU could fall out of contention due to the weakness of the league.
West Virginia to beat No. 15 Texas Tech
Texas Tech's College Football Playoff hopes have been hanging on by a thread after the loss to Cincinnati, and the final month brings plenty of traps. Rich Rodriguez's West Virginia team has had a rollercoaster year, but riding a hot streak they could push the Red Raiders behind their explosive rushing attack.
Cincinnati to beat No. 17 Houston
Cincinnati has already shown they have the ability to upset any team in the Big 12 with their win over Texas Tech, and Oregon fans should be rooting for a similar effort this weekend. The Bearcats head on the road to face 17th ranked Houston in a pivotal game for the Cougars. If Cincinnati could hand the Cougars a 3rd loss, it would bring them down to Oregon's level, and could potentially even drop them out of the Top 25.
TCU to beat No. 22 Arizona
Now that the Ducks are ranked in the Top 25 again, you start to look at the teams ranked ahead of Oregon, and root for losses. The Arizona Wildcats rank directly ahead of the Ducks, but face an up-and-down TCU team this weekend. Sonny Dykes' team hung in tight with BYU, and have the talent to push the Wildcats, and potentially knock them out of the race this weekend.
Oklahoma State to beat Kansas State
Oklahoma State taking a 3rd loss last weekend wasn't great news for the Ducks, as the loss at full strength is starting to look worse. Oregon can't afford for the loss to the Cowboys to continue to trend in the wrong direction, and if Eric Morris' team can rally down the stretch, it could go a long way. With Kansas State QB Avery Johnson likely out for the rest of the season, the Cowboys should have a great chance at getting back in the win column.
The Group of 6 results to root for
No. 25 Boise State to beat Colorado State
The season opening win over Boise State continues to age well for the Ducks, and as the Broncos continue to win games, it only helps the Ducks. If Boise State can continue to stack wins, Oregon will have a win over a potential Playoff team on their resume, which will only help in arguments. The Broncos should have no problem beating Colorado State, and it could continue to be key in next week's reveal.
Nevada to beat New Mexico
Jason Eck's New Mexico Lobos appear to be the biggest threat to Boise State for the Group of 6 bid into the College Football Playoff at this point. It's going to be important in the committee's debate for Oregon to hold a win over the best Group of 6 team, and if New Mexico could take a loss, it'll open the path up for the Broncos.
The ACC result to root for
No. 1 Miami to beat No. 11 Notre Dame
The College Football Playoff committee ranking Notre Dame 11th gave the Fighting Irish very little wiggle room, and a loss to Miami could keep them out of the field. SMU's struggles have dealt a significant blow to the Fighting Irish's strength of schedule, and moving them out of the at-large discussion would only help.
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