Oregon Ducks’ College Football Playoff Chances: Upcoming Challenges and Key Matchups

The No. 6 Oregon Ducks are in a promising spot as they head into their second—and last—bye week of the regular season. They’re sitting at a solid 7-1 record.

Their recent win over the Wisconsin Badgers has kept their College Football Playoff (CFP) hopes alive. Sure, there was that earlier stumble against Indiana, but the path forward still looks open.

Now, as they prep for the rest of the season, the Ducks face a tough stretch. If they want a shot at the 12-team CFP, they’ll need to handle this gauntlet.

Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for Oregon and what they’ve got to do to finish strong.

Oregon Ducks’ Current Standings and Playoff Prospects

At 7-1, the Ducks are in decent shape for the College Football Playoff, at least according to ESPN’s Heather Dinich. The expectation is that they’ll join other Big Ten giants like No. 2 Indiana and No. 1 Ohio State in the 12-team field.

That loss to Indiana still stings, but the math is simple: win out, and they’re in. No need for scoreboard-watching just yet.

Key Remaining Games on the Schedule

The Ducks have a handful of critical games left. These aren’t just any games—they’ll test Oregon’s mettle and decide where their season goes from here.

• Nov. 8: Iowa Hawkeyes – Oregon heads to Iowa for the first time since joining the Big Ten. Iowa’s 6-2 record makes this feel like a trap game. Oregon leads the series 2-1, but it’s been a long time—since 1994—since they last met.
• Nov. 14: Minnesota Golden Gophers – This one’s at home. On paper, it should tilt Oregon’s way, but nothing’s a given at this stage.
• Nov. 22: USC Trojans – Another home game, but a tough one. USC’s offense can light it up, and this could easily turn into a shootout.
• Regular Season Finale: Washington Huskies – The rivalry game. It’s always wild. Washington’s got two losses, but if they keep winning, this could be a de facto playoff elimination game.

Path to the College Football Playoff

To lock in a playoff spot, the Ducks need to win the rest of their games. That would almost certainly land them in the 12-team bracket.

There’s also the Big Ten Championship game lurking, and Oregon’s got a shot at making it for the second straight year.

Potential Roadblocks

Winning out sounds simple, but it’s never that easy. There are a few bumps in the road:

• Iowa Hawkeyes – Iowa’s tough at home and their 6-2 record isn’t a fluke. This one could get tricky.
• Washington Huskies – Rivalry games have a way of flipping the script. With the Huskies at two losses, this could be a make-or-break moment for both teams.
• USC Trojans – Even at home, USC’s offense can turn things chaotic. Oregon will need to keep pace.

Key Players and Factors

There are a few names and storylines that could swing things in Oregon’s favor down the stretch.

Evan Stewart’s Return

Evan Stewart coming back is a huge deal for the Ducks. His presence should honestly scare the rest of college football a bit.

He gives Oregon the firepower they’ll need for these last few games.

Quarterback Depth

Oregon’s shown off some serious quarterback depth this season. New faces have stepped up when the team needed them most.

That depth could be the difference as they grind through the end of the schedule.

Injured Quarterback Dante Moore

Dante Moore’s been sidelined, but he’s handled it with real class. He’s been there supporting Brock Thomas, who’s taken over at quarterback.

That kind of team spirit? It matters, especially with the playoff push heating up.

Conclusion

The Oregon Ducks are right on the edge of making the College Football Playoff again. Their mission? Win every game left, and they’re in.

But let’s be real—it won’t be easy. They’ve got tough games lined up against Iowa, Washington, and USC.

Some key players are coming back, which helps. Plus, their roster runs deep, so they’ve got options if things get dicey.

If you want all the details on Oregon’s playoff hopes, the full breakdown is over at Sports Illustrated.

We’ll keep following the Ducks as they fight for that playoff spot. Should be a wild finish to the season, honestly.