ESPN Picks the Ducks as One-of-Twelve Teams to Make the College Football Playoff

Despite their opening-season loss to Auburn, the Ducks still have an opportunity to run the table, win the Pac-12 Championship and make the CFP.

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The Oregon Ducks title hopes took a major hit in the first game of the season, as they dropped what would have been a crucial victory over the Auburn Tigers. Since then, the Ducks have been perfect, and a chance at the College Football Playoff is still a possibility. 

This week, ESPN put out a list of the 12 teams in college football who they believe still hold a chance to make it to the CFP. Despite the Ducks being ranked No. 13, they are still considered to have a shot. 

According to Heather Dinich, with ESPN, the Ducks have a 7% chance to make the playoff, and they would need to win out from here on, and win the Pac-12 Championship along the way. Both of those things are possible for an Oregon team that has looked impressive so far. 

Oregon leads the Pac-12 and is No. 14 in the country in scoring margin (28 points per game), and 18 of the past 20 semifinalists entered bowl season ranked among the top 15 nationally in average scoring margin. Most of those points, though, came in a 77-6 win over Nevada and a 35-3 victory against Montana. The Ducks are also No. 11 in defensive efficiency, but they probably have to win out (including the Pac-12 title game) to have a shot at the top four. They have a bye week to prepare for the Oct. 5 home game against undefeated Cal. ESPN's FPI favors Oregon to win each of its remaining games.

It was a sobering defeat to start the year, but at least the Ducks still have control over their own destiny, and they have a shot to reach the promised land when all is said and done.