The college Football Playoff has their first ever participant, and regarding the only question is whether it will wind up the number 1 seed overall.
Oregon (12-1) won't officially be provided spot in this inaugural four-team postseason event till the field is announced on 12: 45 p. m. ET Sunday, but following a 51-13 blitzkrieg of Arizona only at the Pac-12 championship sport, the Ducks are in.
Oregon is currently ranked second within the college football committee rankings behind number 1 Alabama. On Friday, the Ducks made their case for that top spot overall, even though the Crimson Tide win the SEC title Saturday, with 1 of the most dominating performances from the season.
Oregon's resume? Four wins over current top-25 clubs, the runaway championship of the strong league and nearly complete "game control" for the vast majority of season. In their 12 victories, the Ducks trailed for simply 39 minutes, 23 seconds total – or simply 5. 5 percent of play – and were behind only once at halftime (24-18 to the Michigan State) and not in the 4th quarter. Each of those 12 victories was essentially set aside fairly early with this Ducks leading for an average of 45: 11 per sport.
Oregon's lone loss, a 31-24 beat to Arizona during this regular season, could easily be blamed over a horrifically unwarranted unsportsmanlike execute penalty on defensive lineman Tony Washington that gave the Wildcats a crucial, game-changing first down.
In spite, the Ducks avenged that having a complete and thorough beatdown of the Wildcats here in this South Bay, played within a half-filled, rain soaked NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Stadium.
Oregon flexed its defensive might up to its high paced offense behind likely Heisman-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota, exactly who finished with three touchdowns flowing and two passing as well as was the game's MVP.
Oregon Ducks outgained Arizona 627-224, including 386-25 within the first half when the Ducks ran a huge 54 plays, and would've led by in excess of 23-0 except for some ill-timed penalties within the red zone. All that in opposition to a team that showed up ranked No. 7 within the playoff committee rankings.
Place it this way, Alabama would not have done this any far better.
"Now we only have to get ready for some comes next, " Mariota mentioned.
If the Tide defeats number 16 Missouri inside the SEC title game within Atlanta Saturday, their claim on earning the highest seed in the playoff could be five victories over presently ranked teams. And while many of their victories had been tight, the week-in, week-out grind from the mighty SEC West is much more grueling than the Pac-12 North. A lot of deciding could come down towards committee's nebulous definition regarding game control.
In actuality, of course, it rarely matters.
This Ducks are certain to play as the home team inside Pasadena, Calif., on New Year's Day irrespective. Even if 'Bama is number 1, it will decide to play in New Orleans, another semifinal site, which is far nearer to home, leaving the Ducks an area in the Rose Bowl, the historic landing spot from the Pac-12 champion.
As intended for matchups: If the current rankings hold over the weekend, the Ducks would likely play number 3 TCU though Alabama would get number 4 Florida State. That's anything but a guarantee, although, especially since those clubs could easily swap because of their respective opponents – number 11 Georgia Tech intended for FSU, a two-win Iowa State for TCU. Or Baylor might bounce in. Or upsets might happen.
The only certainty is actually Oregon has its spot reserved. And in this playoff, it's about getting into, not who's number 1. Just for this rising power out West which knows it still needs to prove itself against this SEC when it concerns, the opportunity is currently at hand.
The Ducks are in along with what they showed right here Friday night, they're prepared to play with anyone.
Source::
The atop story is based on materials provided by the
Yahoo Sports and image credit oregonlive.com.
