Oregon Ducks fans should root for some surprising teams during the team’s bye week which can set them up for a stronger path to the playoff
Oregon Duck fans should root for these outcomes during the team’s bye week.
With Oregon on its bye week, Ducks fans can take a breather, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to root for around the country. Several key games this weekend could directly impact Oregon’s College Football Playoff hopes and strengthen its résumé as the season enters its final stretch.
Root for chaos
1. Penn State upsets Ohio State
Let’s be honest, this is a long shot. Ohio State looks like the most complete team in the country, while Penn State has struggled to live up to its lofty preseason billing when it was ranked No. 2. But Ducks fans should still be rooting hard for the Nittany Lions. A Penn State upset would boost Oregon’s strength of schedule and make its early-season win against the Nittany Lions look that much better. Plus, it would hand Ohio State its first conference loss, putting both teams on even footing in the Big Ten standings and increasing Oregon’s path to the Big Ten Championship Game.
2. South Carolina shocks No. 7 Ole Miss
Oregon and Ole Miss have been neck-and-neck in the national polls, both sitting firmly in the one-loss conversation. If the Rebels were to stumble at home to an unranked South Carolina team, it would go a long way in separating Oregon from another playoff contender. Ducks fans should be waving their Gamecock towels this weekend – a South Carolina upset would create some much-needed breathing room in the playoff race and strengthen Oregon’s case as the top one-loss team in the country.
3. USC defeats Nebraska
This one may feel odd for Ducks fans, but hear us out. Oregon needs USC to win. The Trojans sit just outside the Top 25, and a victory over Nebraska could push them back into the rankings. That would set up a valuable opportunity for Oregon when the two teams meet in Eugene on November 22nd. Another ranked win on Oregon’s résumé could prove critical when the playoff committee starts splitting hairs between elite programs.
