Oregon used its bye week to watch the rest of the country, and the Ducks came out of it with a clearer picture of what still stands between them and a real run in the College Football Playoff race.
That picture is mostly Big Ten football from here on out, which means there are no easy weekends hiding on the calendar. Some of the opponents that looked daunting in the preseason have stumbled early, while a few others have started to look far more dangerous than expected. With that in mind, here’s how Oregon’s remaining schedule stacks up from least threatening to most intimidating.
- Michigan State Spartans - November 20, East Lansing, MI
Pat Fitzgerald is still trying to rebuild Michigan State, and the Spartans are not yet at the point where they can be mentioned with the Big Ten’s top teams. That kind of turnaround takes recruiting classes, and they’re not there yet.
Losing star running back Cam Edwards to a season-ending injury only makes things harder, because the offense now has even more trouble moving the ball. Oregon can’t sleepwalk through any game, but this looks like the most manageable one left.
- Illinois Fighting Illini - October 24, Champaign, IL
Illinois has been one of the season’s disappointments, opening 2-3 after starting 0-2 in Big Ten play. The defense has been a major problem, and Bret Bielema has already moved on from defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck. The Illini can still put enough together on offense to stay around, but Oregon should have the firepower to stay ahead.
- Michigan Wolverines - November 14, Eugene, OR
This was supposed to be one of the marquee games on the schedule, but Michigan has been a mess. Kyle Whittingham’s staff hasn’t gotten Bryce Underwood where it needs to be, and the Wolverines still look like a team searching for an offensive identity. If that keeps up, the lineup could keep changing too, with a quarterback switch potentially on the table.
- Nebraska Cornhuskers - October 17, Eugene, OR
Nebraska has quietly opened 5-0 and already owns a pair of Big Ten wins, but the real test is about to begin with back-to-back games against Indiana and Oregon. Anthony Colandrea gives the Cornhuskers experience at quarterback and the ability to move the ball against any defense, and breakout running back Jamal Rule may be back by the time this one arrives. If Dylan Raiola starts for Oregon, that would only turn the matchup into an even bigger story.
- Northwestern Wildcats - October 31, Eugene, OR
Northwestern has already shown it’s not an easy team to brush aside in the Big Ten. The Wildcats played Indiana close and knocked off Penn State, and Chip Kelly has put his stamp on the offense.
He’ll have plenty to pull from in his return to Eugene. Northwestern just ran for 413 yards against Penn State, so if Oregon doesn’t commit to stopping the run, this one could get uncomfortable fast.
- Washington Huskies - November 28, Eugene, OR
Oregon-Washington never needs extra juice. Even with Washington’s uneven season, this is still the kind of game that can turn into a fight.
Demond Williams Jr. can hurt defenses with his arm and legs, and the Huskies’ running back room should only get healthier as the season goes on. They’ll want to push the game into a shootout, and if Oregon lets Williams get comfortable, it could turn into a long night.
- UCLA Bruins - October 10, Eugene, OR
Right after the bye, UCLA jumps out as one of Oregon’s biggest tests. Bob Chesney has completely changed the look of the program, and the Bruins are 4-0 with three Power 4 wins, all blowouts.
The defense has been stout, Wayne Knight has been the best running back in the country since arriving from James Madison, and Dante Moore’s status is still uncertain. That’s a lot to sort through in one game.
- Ohio State Buckeyes - November 7, Columbus, OH
This was the game everyone pointed to before the season, and that hasn’t changed. Ohio State is 4-1 and could easily be 5-0 if it had finished off Texas. Oregon’s biggest challenge will be slowing Jeremiah Smith, who looks like he’s leading the Heisman Trophy race, while the Buckeyes’ defense is settling in after losing several stars to the first round of the NFL Draft.
In Other News...
Former Oregon DC Tosh Lupoi Is Already Under Serious Pressure At Cal
Tosh Lupois first months as Californias head coach have already turned choppy, with the former Oregon defensive coordinator sitting at 2-3 after a loss to UNLV and a difficult opening stretch to the season. The results have brought a familiar kind of scrutiny for a first-year coach, with media and analysts questioning both the way the team is being coached and the discipline it has shown on the field.
Lupoi knew the job would come with pressure, but the early noise around Berkeley has been louder than Cal would have hoped. The next step is supposed to come from the roster-building side, with recruiting and transfer help expected to shape the programs outlook heading into next season, but for now the discussion is still centered on whether the Bears can steady themselves before the questions get even sharper. [Read more 🡒]
Floridas Ranking Hit Looks Bad But One Result May Save Them
The latest AP top 25 is likely to get a fresh look after a weekend that shook up only a few teams in the poll, but still left enough movement to reshape the middle of the rankings. Pittsburgh, UCLA, Kentucky and a handful of others all spent the past few days putting their standing in the spotlight, with recent results and individual performances giving voters plenty to weigh before the next update.
For Oregon, the bigger takeaway is how quickly one loss can be softened by what happens elsewhere. Floridas ranking took a hit, but the overall board is not settled yet, and the Ducks have reason to watch the next poll closely as the committee of voters sorts through the few blemishes across the country. With several teams in the mix after uneven showings, the room for adjustment could help keep Oregon positioned where it wants to be. [Read more 🡒]
Marcus Mariota's Strong Return Was Just Cut Short By A Worrying Injury
Marcus Mariotas return to meaningful action for Washington took an abrupt turn Sunday in London, where the veteran backup left the Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts after injuring his knee. Washington confirmed Mariota reinjured the MCL in his right knee, ending his day early and leaving the Commanders to navigate the rest of the matchup without the quarterback they had been leaning on behind Jayden Daniels.
The timing made the setback sting even more. Daniels was already unavailable because of an elbow injury, forcing rookie Athan Kaliakmanis into the game at quarterback and putting Washington in a difficult spot at the sports most important position. For Mariota, it is another frustrating interruption after trying to reestablish himself in a reserve role, and now the focus turns to how long the Commanders will be without both of their top quarterbacks. [Read more 🡒]