The Ducks Defense Has Kept Them in the National Conversation, But Will it Be Enough?

A dominant defense has kept Oregon in the mix for a College Football Playoff birth, but a down year for the Pac-12 might derail those postseason dreams.

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In the end, it may not be enough, but the Oregon Ducks are doing everything in their power to stay in the conversation for a bid into the College Football Playoff. 

With a 4-1 record and definitive control over the Pac-12, the Ducks have a control over their own destiny, and should they run the table and win out, finishing the year with a Pac-12 Championship, they will be in prime position to sit among the top-4 teams in the nation, vying for a spot at the last table. Unfortunately for Oregon, it could be a mediocre strength of schedule and a down year for the Pac-12 that ultimately puts an end to their playoff dreams. 

If you take a step back from the Ducks, you'll see that the Pac-12 is historically weak this season. Aside from Oregon, none of the other preseason contenders — Washington, Stanford, USC, Washington State, Utah — have held up their end of the bargain to make this a competitive race for the conference title. Through six weeks of play, only two Pac-12 teams aside from Oregon are ranked in the Top-25 — Utah (13) and Arizona State (18). Of course, the Ducks wouldn't see the Utes until the Pac-12 championship game, if they get there, and November 23rd's matchup against the Sun Devils has no guarantee of being a matchup between ranked teams. 

Despite the flaws in the conference, Oregon still holds some pristine in the nation. Though they lost a very winnable game against Auburn in Week 1, they've taken care of business every week since and done the things necessary to stay in the mix. ESPN's analyst Kirk Herbstreit has been a strong believer in the Ducks this year, and he said on his podcast this week that they still have what it takes to be one of the best teams in the nation. 

“They have been outstanding. They gave up a few scores early in the year against Auburn and, since then, I think they went three games without giving up a touchdown until finally, Cal scored a touchdown on them. Their defense has been dominating. Andy Avalos came over from Boise State, brought in a different approach. Jim Leavitt was there for the last few years. Avalos has brought in a more of a multiple defense, more disguising, creating more confusion, and it’s been working. He’s had some pieces to work with, some new faces, some young energy, some speed. If their defense keeps playing the way they have been playing all year … I’m very impressed with what they’re doing.”

All the Ducks can keep doing is win games. There's no sense in worrying about the standings of other teams because none of it matters if they slip up and take a hit. What matters right now is Friday's game against Colorado; everything else will take care of itself.