The first College Football Playoff rankings of the season are scheduled to be unveiled on Tuesday night, and the No. 6 Oregon Ducks are eager to see where they land. With a record of 7-1, the Ducks are coming off their final bye week and are poised for an important road game against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
As the season enters its final stretch, the Ducks are seeking to bolster their chances for a second consecutive playoff appearance. The CFP committee will reveal its first rankings soon, and the Ducks are in a competitive position among the elite teams in college football.
Oregon”s only setback this season occurred on October 11 against the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers, where they lost 30-20 at Autzen Stadium. The Hoosiers are expected to feature prominently in the initial rankings, likely alongside Ohio State, who is projected to hold the top position. Following them, the rankings are anticipated to include several top-tier teams from the SEC, such as No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Alabama, and No. 5 Georgia.
While the Ducks currently sit at No. 6 in the AP poll, they may face competition from other teams vying for the same ranking. The Ole Miss Rebels, BYU Cougars, and Texas Tech Red Raiders have all made compelling cases to occupy this position instead. A notable factor working against Oregon is that they have not secured a victory over a ranked opponent this season, whereas Ole Miss, BYU, and Texas Tech have all achieved this feat.
Specifically, BYU and Texas Tech both earned wins against No. 17 Utah, although Texas Tech”s record includes a loss to Arizona State, which may give Oregon an edge. Meanwhile, BYU maintains an undefeated status. The Rebels achieved a notable victory over No. 11 Oklahoma with a score of 34-26, while their only loss was a close match against Georgia, ending at 43-35.
Looking ahead to the playoff picture, the potential field is shaping up as follows: Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Oregon, BYU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Virginia, Memphis. Given the current standings, Ole Miss is likely to edge out Oregon for the No. 6 spot due to their win against a ranked team and a single loss compared to Oregon”s record.
Another intriguing debate will center around the placement of Notre Dame and Oklahoma, both of whom currently have two losses. However, Notre Dame”s lack of participation in a conference championship could hinder their playoff aspirations. Oklahoma boasts wins over ranked teams No. 21 Michigan and No. 23 Tennessee, while Notre Dame”s only ranked victory has been against No. 20 USC.
If the current projections hold, the Ducks would face the Sooners in a first-round playoff matchup at Autzen Stadium, representing an exciting opportunity for college football enthusiasts. To secure a playoff spot, Oregon must navigate a challenging final stretch of their season, beginning with their game against Iowa.
The Ducks will also play two more home games against Minnesota on November 14 and No. 20 USC on November 22, in addition to a tough away game against No. 24 Washington. Winning all four games would significantly enhance their playoff prospects, potentially allowing them to achieve a seeding higher than No. 7. However, a single loss could jeopardize their standing, depending on the performances of teams below them.
