While the Oregon Ducks already have 3 losses on the season, the hopes of making the College Football Playoff are very much still alive thanks to chaos around the country. Following the Ohio State win, Oregon is up to No. 16 in the College Football Playoff rankings, keeping hopes of earning an at-large bid alive. If Oregon is going to make the Playoff, the Ducks are going to need some help, and it could come in Week 11.
Week 11 rooting guide as Oregon looks to keep CFP hopes alive
No. 16 Oregon to beat Michigan
Every conversation for the Ducks starts with winning each of the final 3 games to end the season at 9-3. While the Michigan Wolverines have struggled at times this season, they have the talent to win any game, and if Oregon is riding high off the Ohio State win, the Ducks could get humbled. Dan Lanning needs to keep the team focused and win with some style points; otherwise, the Ducks' hopes could be fully crushed.
No. 18 USC to beat No. 9 Indiana
Arguably the biggest hurdle between Oregon and making the Big Ten Championship Game is the Indiana Hoosiers taking another loss. This weekend's game against USC might be the best chance for Curt Cignetti's team to fall again. Both teams are coming off a bye week, and handing the Hoosiers a second loss in league play truly creates the chaos in the conference chase.
No. 4 UCLA to beat Illinois
One of the biggest keys for Oregon in the race for the Big Ten Championship is Illinois taking another loss, given the fact they hold the tiebreaker with a head-to-head win over the Ducks. UCLA is the last unbeaten team in the Big Ten, and if the Bruins can run the table it would only help Oregon in getting a rematch against Bob Chesney's team.
Purdue to beat No. 15 Iowa
Among the two loss teams in Big Ten play are the Iowa Hawkeyes, and while the Ducks should hold the tiebreaker, it's much cleaner to get them out of the picture altogether. While Purdue has a hard time winning any game in Big Ten play, the struggles of the Iowa offense at times make them vulnerable to an upset most weeks, but it'll take a massive effort for the Boilermakers to win in Kinnick.
Maryland to beat Wisconsin
While Wisconsin has 3 losses, like Oregon one came in non-conference play, meaning they're very much a factor in the Big Ten race. The Badgers are once again going to be without quarterback Colton Joseph, giving freshman Ryan Hopkins a 2nd loss. Wisconsin's final 3 games are all winnable, but the Terrapins have shown they haven't quit despite Mike Locksley's firing.
Colorado to beat No. 14 Houston
Deion Sanders' Colorado team hasn't been great, but it would be helpful if the Houston Cougars took another loss. Houston is ranked ahead of the Ducks in the Playoff rankings, and the Big 12 needs to be a 1-bid league for Oregon's at-large hopes, so bring on the chaos.
SMU to beat No. 13 Wake Forest
Just like the Big 12, it's in Oregon's best interest if only one team from the ACC makes it into the College Football Playoff. Rhett Lashlee's SMU team can look like an elite group one week and a mess the next, but this weekend a ton of teams will be rooting for the Mustangs. If Wake Forest can slide out of the Top 15, it would go a long way in moving Oregon closer to that debate at the end of the season.
No. 20 Ohio State to beat Northwestern
Oregon already holds wins over Northwestern and Ohio State so no result will truly hurt the Ducks, but this weekend, everyone should be rooting for the Buckeyes. The committee is going to treat going on the road and beating Ohio State differently than Northwestern, and the Ducks need that win to hold value the rest of the way.
Texas A&M to beat No. 8 Tennessee
The College Football Playoff committee seemingly disrespects Tennessee every week, and another loss for the Vols could mark trouble for Josh Heupel's team. A third loss would move Tennessee into the same conversation as Oregon, and this week brings a tough challenge against Texas A&M. While the Aggies have been one of the biggest disappointments of the season, Mike Elko's team has the talent to pull off the upset this weekend.
Baylor to beat No. 10 BYU
The BYU Cougars looked like one of the best teams in the country after they picked off Notre Dame, but since that game they've lost 2 of their last 3, with both coming in league play. With the committee continuing to show love to the Cougars, Oregon is going to need Kalani Sitake's team to lose once more down the stretch to help make the Big 12 a 1-bid league.
Oklahoma to beat No. 19 Ole Miss
Oklahoma just picked up a win in their first game after firing offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, and with the talent on defense, they don't need a ton of points to win games. Ole Miss like Oregon remains alive in the race for the Playoff with 3 losses, but it would be great with some of their wins to clear them out of the race.
No. 24 Boise State to beat Oregon State
The season opening win over Boise State continues to age well for the Ducks, with the Broncos rising to No. 24 during Tuesday's update. It's always a good weekend to root against Oregon State, and with the Broncos being one of Oregon's key wins, everyone in Eugene should be pulling for Spencer Danielson's team.
Florida to beat No. 11 Kentucky
The Florida Gators have been a rollercoaster this season with big wins over Texas and Ole Miss, but 4 losses on the season. Will Stein's team just took their second loss of the season, and remain in the College Football Playoff bracket at 11, but another loss could change their fate. Jon Sumrall's team has the talent to beat Kentucky, and if the Gators play a solid day, it could take an SEC team out of the mix.
No. 6 Texas to beat No. 21 LSU
While LSU already has 3 losses on the season, at No. 21 they could still easily make a push if they knock out Texas and Tennessee. While handing Texas another loss could put the Longhorns in trouble, their win over Ohio State could make them the best 3-loss team, so clearing LSU out of the race helps prevent a threat to the Ducks.
No. 25 Oklahoma State to beat No. 12 Texas Tech
The College Football Playoff committee gave the Ducks a second ranked loss by bringing Oklahoma State back into the Top 25 on Tuesday. If both UCLA and Oklahoma State can remain ranked by the end of the season, it would go a long way in the debate for the Ducks, as opposed to having multiple unranked losses. The Big 12 being a 1 bid league only helps Oregon's chances of earning an at-large bid, giving this game the added potential of wiping Texas Tech out of the Ducks' path.
Add us as a preferred source on Google