First, I would've posted this yesterday, but after a groggy morning and logging in in the afternoon to see I had 55 damn notifications I decided to hit the "X" button. Yesterday was just not going to happen.
So, I am here today, after more than 24 hours after yet another PAC-12 officiaiting robbery, to offer my perspective and outlook on the rest of the Oregon Ducks football season. Because many may not be aware, after the AP and Coaches polls came out yesterday, they brought with them some rays of sunshines through the cloud.
The Ducks lost on Saturday and damn that pains me to type. But I refuse to give up on this team and this season just like I saw Oregon Ducks players REFUSE to give up on Saturday night. Bo Nix suffering an injury only to try and get back into the game and eventually getting back into the game was INSPIRATIONAL. Alex Forsyth, arguably our best Offensive Lineman and LEADER on the team REFUSED to give up and fight through injuries to where he couldn't even feel his arm and he is out there blocking. I tell you as I type this portion of my post, I have so much pride in this football team and program. They fought so hard and therefore I refuse to give up, just like they refused to give up.
The AP and Coaches polls left a door open, and although this season can still achieve great success like still winning the PAC-12 Championship and getting to the Rose Bowl, it wouldn't be the Oregon way to settle for such accomplishments. We want the 'ship. That's why you come to Oregon and be a Duck, to play in the College Football Playoffs and to WIN a national championship.
Let me roll out the following situation, mind you Oregon is as high as 12th in the country, with 2 teams ahead of them that they do and can still play;
1. Georgia wins out. Let's just give them that #1 spot, that means there are 3 coveted spots remaining. Let the chaos begin.
2. Illinois beats #3 Michigan. This can happen. In fact, I dont even see this that far fetched of an outcome. The Illini are a good team and capable of beating any B1G team, except maybe Ohio State. This gives Michgian 1 loss.
3. #4 TCU could easily lose any of their remaining games, especially the Big 12 championship game. This team is the biggest fraud in the top 10. Weak conference btw.
4. #2 Ohio State wins out and beats Michigan badly. With only Maryland and Michigan left, and a B1G title game, I see tOSU winning out, but they got to beat Michigan convincingly. That gives them the 2nd spot and now only 2 coveted spots remain in the CFP.
5. #5 Tennessee loses. Again, SEC schedule, anything can happen on any given Saturday.
6. #6 LSU of course loses to Georgia in the SEC title game. 3 loss team, GOOD BYE.
7. #9 Clemson has Miami (uggghh) South Carolina and UNC left. All possible losses for a shaky Clemson team. One more loss for Clemson and they are OUT.
8. #7 USC beats UCLA and wins out and gets a spot in the PAC-12 Championship game.
9. #12 Oregon wins out. It's that simple. Beats #10 Utah, beats #25 Oregon State, and will get a likely top 6-5 team in USC for the PAC-12 title game. Oregon beats USC and the above mentioned situations play out, and the Ducks are not out of this.
Go Ducks!