First in the rankings for weeks, the Ducks are undefeated but not undefeated. They won by one point over Boise State and Ohio State and left the door open for Penn State to push the Big Ten Championship to overtime last weekend.
But here he is, 13-0, as the favorite to win the national championship next month.
There are many challengers.
While Oregon, Arizona State, Boise State and Georgia don’t make it to the quarterfinals, candidates to derail the Ducks’ bid for a 16-0 season and national championship are plentiful.
Here’s a look at what the outcome of the first 12-team College Football Playoff could look like, round by round:
First round, (Dec. 20-21)
Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) throws during an NCAA football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-6.. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES Texas 27, Clemson 19 (Austin, Texas)
If the Longhorns are healthy, they can beat any team on the field. Clemson has a puncher’s chance, but only if everything breaks the Tigers’ way.
Ohio State 18, Tennessee 12 (Columbus, Ohio)
There is a lot to look at with the two offenses standing in the second half of the season. A FG battle is brewing between teams with enough talent to silence the doubters.
Penn State 27, SMU 26 (State College, Pa.)
The Mustangs’ speed on both sides of the ball could be muted if they get into the Nittany Lions’ hole and have to deal with the weather. SMU’s defensive front is legit, but Penn State can play the power game that kept them in the game against Oregon.
Notre Dame 23, Indiana 20 (South Bend, Ind.)
The 7-10 matchup is very interesting. Indiana is in a phase of the season where everything is unknown. Are we ready to buy into Notre Dame as a true contender?
Finals (Dec. 31, Jan. 1)
Nov 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) passes the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Ford Field. credits: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports Texas 28, Arizona State 24 (Peach Bowl)
The Sun Devils can tip this in their favor with a big early lead. One-sided Texas looked unbeatable with 60 rushing yards in two losses at Georgia. If the Longhorns can go forward and maintain balance, they go forward.
Oregon 40, Ohio State 20 (Rose Bowl)
A tough reset brought on by two weeks of practice and a win over Tennessee got the Buckeyes back in the right frame of mind, but they were once again defeated by QB Dillon Gabriel and Oregon’s big-play arsenal.
Penn State 22, Boise State 17 (Fiesta Bowl)
The power ball is going the way of the Nittany Lions, who have a RB rotation on offense to set up points and a defensive/linebacker group to corral RB Ashton Jeanty.
Georgia 23, Notre Dame 13 (Sugar Bowl)
Without Carson Beck, are the Bulldogs an upset threat? Not at this time. NFL-level defense pushes Georgia to semifinals.
Semifinals (Orange Bowl, Thursday, Jan. 9. Cotton Bowl, Friday, Jan. 10)
December 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) leads the team on the field before the game against the Florida State Seminoles in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. credits: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Oregon 34, Texas 24
Texas can score with the Ducks if the Longhorns offensive line is good. But neither team showed enough strength throughout the four quarters to finish off Oregon, and t
Georgia 20, Penn State 10
More defense from the Bulldogs helped Georgia beat Penn State in a game that came down to the final 15 minutes.
National title game
Oregon 27, Georgia 17
Since October, it’s looked an awful lot like the year of the Duck.
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