Oregon football schedule: Do Ducks deserve to be in top 4 of CFP rankings?

The Oregon Ducks came in at No. 4 in the first CFP rankings but, looking at the Oregon football schedule, can they stay there?

There was big-time debate about whether the Oregon Ducks or Ohio State Buckeyes should be the No. 4 in the initial CFP rankings for the 2021 season. Sure, Oregon football won head-to-head but, with the same record and using the eye test, the Buckeyes might’ve had a case to make to be the one that earned a berth in the top four.

It was Oregon football that got the nod, though, as the College Football Playoff committee clearly valued head-to-head matchups, as evidenced throughout the initial rankings. And, for my money, they deserve that spot. Otherwise, why bother testing the team in Columbus against Ohio State?

But now people are wondering if the Ducks can hold onto that No. 4 ranking. And that’s where the schedule comes into play.

Oregon football schedule after first CFP rankings have Ducks at No. 4

Here’s a look at the remaining schedule for the Ducks:

• Nov. 6 – at Washington
• Nov. 13 – vs. Washington State
• Nov. 20 – at Utah
• Nov. 27 – vs. Oregon State

When you look at the remaining schedule, there is no team that has fewer than three losses and no team that can match the talent that the Ducks have on the roster.

Of course, the same thing could’ve been said of Stanford, who got the better of Oregon. This is a team that simply has to play up to its potential. If they do that, then they should be able to run through the Pac-12 and win the conference.

Should they be able to accomplish that, they’re in the College Football Playoff based on the initial rankings.

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