5 games that could impact Oregon Ducks' potential CFP seeding in Week 11
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It’s November and the Oregon Ducks are exactly where nearly everyone in college football thought they’d be: in the race to make the College Football Playoff. With a 7-1 overall and 4-1 Big Ten record, they were slotted at No. 9 in the Selection Committee’s debut CFP rankings on Tuesday night.
While they’d be in if the season ended today, the nine spot doesn’t offer them a ton of margin for error moving forward considering a Group of Four team and likely the ACC champion will assume No. 12 and No. 11 in the final CFP picture.
Luckily for the Ducks, there’s a lot of season left. And the most important task for them is to take care of their own business, which includes three ranked opponents out of their four remaining regular-season games. That’ll begin with a matchup against the 20th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes on the road at Kinnick Stadium — an imperative game for the Ducks to come out on top.
While handling business is the Ducks’ main priority, here’s five games across the country that could affect Oregon’s CFP seeding and chances overall.
No. 7 BYU vs. No. 8 Texas Tech
When: 9:00 a.m. PST
Where: Jones AT&T Stadium | | Lubbock, TX
TV: ABC
Why it could matter: Both placed above Oregon in the debut CFP rankings, the loser of this matchup will almost certainly fall in next week’s rankings. BYU is least likely to drop as far considering they head into the week undefeated — but the Red Raiders, who are favored by double digits to win this game — could tumble out of the playoff picture altogether with a home loss. This is undoubtedly the biggest Big 12 game of the season to date and something Ducks fan will want to watch as a morning prelude to Oregon’s meeting with Iowa.
No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 22 Missouri
When: 12:30 p.m. PST
Where: Memorial Stadium | | Columbia, MO
TV: ABC
Why it could matter: Entering with an undefeated 8-0 record, the Aggies have had a tremendous season thus far. They occupy one of the bye week spots in the debut CFP bracket because of it, but face another tough test on Saturday. With two losses, Missouri is still technically alive in the race for the playoff, especially with a big upset win against Texas A&M. It may be better for the Ducks if the Aggies stay undefeated and at the top instead of further muddying the one- and two-loss teams.
Wake Forest vs. No. 14 Virginia
When: 4:00 p.m. PST
Where: Scott Stadium | | Charlottesville, VA
TV: ESPN
Why it could matter: It looks like the ACC is only going to get one team in the playoff, with the highest ranked being Virginia. However, at No. 14, the Cavaliers have the opportunity to move into the top 12 regardless of the ACC auto-bid with continued wins. They have just three games remaining, against Wake Forest, Duke and Virginia Tech — not the most imposing final stretch. A loss would go a long way towards eliminating them from the picture and giving the Ducks more wiggle room seeing wise if they suffer a second loss.
LSU vs. No. 4 Alabama
When: 4:30 p.m. PST
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium | | Tuscaloosa, AL
TV: ABC
Why it could matter: Similar to Texas A&M, the Crimson Tide seem to have gained the trust of the committee with them holding the final bye week spot at No. 4. That could change real quick with a loss to LSU, who’s unranked but a more than competent opponent with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier at the helm. A second loss for Alabama — which would be their second unranked loss as well — would potentially drop them below Oregon, assuming they defeat the Hawkeyes.
Navy vs. No. 10 Notre Dame
When: 4:30 p.m. PST
Where: Notre Dame Stadium | | Notre Dame, IN
TV: NBC/Peacock
Why it could matter: With two losses already to Notre Dame’s name, Duck fans should be rooting hard for the Midshipmen to pull off the upset. At 7-1, it’s certainly plausible that Navy keeps it close — after all, they have their own CFP hopes on the line. As an independent, the Fighting Irish are simply a deterrent in the way of Oregon. Adding a third loss to their resume would essentially eliminate them altogether, easing the path for the Ducks.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: 5 games to watch in Week 11 that could impact the Ducks’ CFP seeding
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