College Football Playoffs Round 1 showcases how backwards the committee got it with Oregon and Penn State
The structure of the new-look College Football Playoffs is under a ton of scrutiny for the last of parity and excitement that was delivered in the first round, and one things stands out as massive miss. While the Penn State vs SMU game is being largely swept under the rug, with the Ohio State vs […]
The structure of the new-look College Football Playoffs is under a ton of scrutiny for the last of parity and excitement that was delivered in the first round, and one things stands out as massive miss. While the Penn State vs SMU game is being largely swept under the rug, with the Ohio State vs Tennessee and Texas vs Clemson games getting most of the headlines.
But, with the second round in front of us and looking completely chalk, one thing is abundantly clear — the paths for Oregon and Penn State are completely and entirely backwards.
Weeks before the Big Ten Championship game, it was clear that the playoffs structure made little sense, and it played out exactly in the manner that most predicted. Oregon got the first round bye, but now will have to beat Ohio State for the second time this season in order to advance. Meanwhile, Penn State, the team that Oregon beat in the Big Ten Championship, waltzed past SMU in the first round 38-10, and will now meet up with Boise State in the second round.
You tell me which path you'd rather have.
I'll tell you what you won't hear — you won't hear any voices coming out of Oregon complaining about the draw. From the top down, the Oregon Ducks have a culture of accountability and competitiveness. For the Ducks, it's not an obstacle, it's an opportunity. It's an opportunity to prove themselves as battle-tested, as an elite program, as a team ready for the biggest moments and to cement themselves among the nation's best.
So, bring on Ohio State. Bring on any and every obstacle that you have. With each one that gets knocked down, Oregon simply grows stronger. There's one thing that's for certain, though, and that's that this Rose Bowl is going to be an epic clash of two powerhouse teams.
Oregon’s Dan Lanning gets added Rose Bowl motivation just minutes after Ohio State demolished Tennessee
Lanning will have plenty to work with.
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on Bluesky @jonhelmkamp.bsky.social, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSports.bsky.social for all the latest news.
