Could the Oregon Ducks actually play their way into the Big Ten Championship Game? I don’t think it’s as crazy as it sounds.

Saying it out loud, I understand why you’d scoff. And you may say, Tegan, we left Dan Lanning for dead, so what are you talking about? That’s fair. I was right there with you, criticizing Oregon’s hiring, its decision-making, and just about everything else along the way.

But what looked like a disaster season has somehow found a breath of fresh air. The Ducks’ win over the Ohio State Buckeyes was an announcement to the rest of college football. Everyone gave up on Oregon, and Oregon is telling you it isn’t done yet.

The path to the Big Ten title game is real for the Oregon Ducks

Here’s the scenario. Oregon runs the table, a couple of breaks go its way, and this sport does what it always does. Suddenly the Ducks are in the Big Ten Championship Game.

And if Oregon gets there, UCLA is probably waiting. That is not an easy draw. The Bruins absolutely deserve their flowers for winning football games over and over while everyone, myself included, keeps circling them as an upset to watch. They keep making that pick look silly.

But a team that just beat Ohio State the way Oregon did has the kind of talent to make that matchup a fight. That’s the part people are skipping over.

The backup quarterback excuse cuts both ways

Let’s call a spade a spade. The first thing you’re going to hear about this result is that Ohio State was playing with a backup quarterback. Fine. Now look at who’s starting for Oregon. Another backup quarterback.

And if your counter is that Oregon’s backup happens to be Dylan Raiola, a former 5-star who was the starting quarterback at Nebraska, I hear you. But you also have to admit Oregon deserves credit for that. The Ducks were aggressive in the transfer portal and went out and got a starter to be their backup. That shouldn’t be an excuse. That should be a tip of the hat to Oregon.

And frankly, the same goes for the offensive coordinator decision. Oregon fired its offensive coordinator early and essentially said: we made the wrong call, we need to move on, and we need to be the best version of ourselves. Most programs sit on a bad hire for a full season to save face. Oregon didn’t. That’s a credit to the program, not a sign of chaos.

Then look at what the Ducks did with a backup QB and a backup OC. They fought back and beat Northwestern, a good football team with Aidan Chiles starting at quarterback. Then they went on the road and beat Ohio State, a talented team that should have been comfortable in that spot. That’s incredible.

Where I land on Oregon

Coming off this big win, I’m not picking Oregon to make the College Football Playoff. I’m not saying the Ducks are going to go on and win the whole thing. I’m not saying a lot here, and I’m being careful about it on purpose, because this team has already burned plenty of people already, including me.

What I am saying is this. Don’t be surprised when that Ducks logo starts showing up on every playoff bubble list in America. Oregon is picking up steam, and it’s picking it up fast.