Ranking Oregon vs the Playoff Field

So we’ve got some healthy debate on our hands these days. Which really seems to be how many SEC teams we should be putting into the college football playoffs. They think it should be half the field while most think four is pretty fair.

Still there is a lot of football ahead. Two final weeks and conference championships. No doubt the field will change. No doubt the rankings will change. And no doubt injuries will occur changing the dynamics of teams.

Oregon remains at No. 1 and in total control of that spot. Beat UW, win the conference championship and you’ll be the No. 1 team with a bye. Sounds easy but it will be anything but easy.

So while it changes I figured I’d offer up a ranking. Not a ranking of teams based on record or talent. But based on who I think would be Oregon’s toughest games. I will judge all of these on the assumption it’s on a neutral field. Just for argument’s sake.

Here they are 1-11 based on the CURRENT standings headed into this weekend.

1. Ohio State – It will be incredibly tough to play them a 2nd or 3rd time. Statistically speaking, rematches are typically not kind to the winner. Facing them two or three times would create an interesting storyline.
2. Georgia – Regardless of record, you can’t argue the two won’t know each other well. And Georgia is Georgia. They win and Kirby knows how to get them ready for the big games. If good Carson Beck shows up, the Dawgs are tough. I really think you don’t want to see Georgia in any round.
3. Alabama – You know why. I know why. Not because they are that good, they are when good Jalen Milroe shows up. But Dan is 0-3 vs Kalen Deboer so you know there’s something to that. Even if Oregon has better players, clearly Deboer has a good offensive scheme for Lanning’s defense.
4. Ole Miss – Dang it, I hate that I have 3 straight SEC teams here but I do. And while many of you probably expected Texas, I think Ole Miss is the most dangerous team coming down the stretch. When they are on, they are really tough to beat. This would be a matchup featuring a lot of NFL talent.
5. Indiana – This one might get bumped way down after Saturday. Who knows. We really just don’t know how good this Indiana team is still but they have done what they need to so far, win games.
6. Texas – I’m still not sold here. It’s a solid team. But it’s not an elite team and I still wonder if Sark is really able to win the big games. We know Kirby can. Do we know Sark can? Oregon’s secondary and OL would really be tested here.
7. Boise State– Remember that part earlier about rematches? Yes I have Boise ahead of the remaining but it’s pretty close the rest of the way down. I do think this time around the score would be a little different, meaning Oregon would win by a bigger margin.
8. Notre Dame – Again, it’s pretty close the rest of the way down here. But I think the Irish play some sound defense and are fairly well-balanced on offense. Would be an intriguing hire of coaches hired in the same cycle. I think Oregon would handle ND.
9. BYU – This would be another intriguing matchup. How good are they really? Pretty fundamentally sound and well-coached much like Boise State. I think Oregon would win fairly easily here.
10. Penn State – I’ve never bought into Penn State all season. And I still can’t get behind them. I think Oregon matches up well against the Nittany Lions.
11. Miami – I don’t have to state the obvious here. But there is no way, NO WAY, this team and coaches would not be absolutely hyped up to take down Mario. ZERO.