3 biggest ‘what-ifs’ in Duck history

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What if Oregon had defeated Auburn in the 2019 season opener?

Before Bo Nix became an Oregon legend, he was most Duck fans’ least favorite quarterback in FBS history…

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) shakes hands with Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert (10) after the game. / Jake Crandall, Montgomery Advertiser via

The 2019-20 football season was one of the most unexpected rollercoaster rides of a season I have ever experienced.

I was sitting in AT&T Stadium as Nix completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Seth Williams with just 9 seconds (NINE SECONDS) remaining on the clock to upset the Ducks. The Tigers had been trailing for the. entire. game.

I was also sitting in the Rose Bowl as Justin Herbert and Troy Dye crushed the Wisconsin Badgers’ hopes and dreams to cap off the season. So, it wasn’t all bad.

Jan 1, 2020; Pasadena, California, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Troy Dye (35) celebrates. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

But, what if Herbert had led his team to just one more touchdown against Auburn? Would they have ever lost to Arizona State in a shocking upset later that season? Would Herbert have earned himself the Heisman Trophy?

Would the Ducks have made their way to another College Football Playoff appearance?

I think so, I think that team was good enough to have won it all. Instead, they lost to Auburn by just 6 points to start their season. And they lost to Arizona State by just 3 points later on. So the Ducks settled for a Rose Bowl victory instead of a National Championship title.

It would have been Oregon’s first national title in program history.

Not to mention, if the Ducks had defeated the Tigers, would Nix have stayed in Auburn for his final two years?