OREGON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025

OREGON FOOTBALL | @oregonfootball

 

Ducks Up To No. 7 In CFP Rankings

 

EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon football team moved up one spot in the College Football Playoff rankings for the second week in a row on Tuesday, coming in at No. 7 with two weeks remaining in the regular season.

 

The No. 7 Ducks (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) will square off against No. 15 USC (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. PT in Autzen Stadium (CBS).

 

Oregon is one of three Big Ten teams in the CFP top 10, along with No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana, and one of six in the top 25 with No. 15 USC, No. 18 Michigan and No. 21 Illinois also included.

 

The Ducks have now made 14 consecutive appearances in the CFP top 10 dating back to 2023, and 27 straight appearances in the CFP top 25 dating back to 2020. 

 

Oregon has again established itself as one of the most well-rounded teams in the nation, entering Week 13 as one of just three FBS teams in the top 15 for scoring offense (7th, 39.0 PPG), total offense (11th, 475.4 YPG), scoring defense (6th, 13.7 PPG) and total defense (3rd, 235.4 YPG). Additionally, UO owns the nation's top passing defense at 127.3 yards allowed per game, and ranks eighth in rushing offense at 233.6 yards per game. 

 

Oregon has also been one of the nation's top teams in terms of explosive plays on both sides of the ball, leading the country in fewest plays of 20-plus yards allowed (17) while ranking second in offensive plays of 20-plus yards (72). Oregon's overall team grade of 94.1 by Pro Football Focus is fifth-best nationally and third-best in the Big Ten. 

 

UO is currently tied for No. 6 in the Associated Press poll while coming in at No. 5 in the US LBM coaches poll. 

 

College Football Playoff Top 25 - Nov. 18

1. Ohio State (10-0)

2. Indiana (11-0)

3. Texas A&M (10-0)

4. Georgia (9-1)

5. Texas Tech (10-1)

6. Ole Miss (10-1)

7. Oregon (9-1)

8. Oklahoma (8-2)

9. Notre Dame (8-2)

10. Alabama (8-2)

11. BYU (9-1)

12. Utah (8-2)

13. Miami (8-2)

14. Vanderbilt (8-2)

15. USC (8-2)

16. Georgia Tech (9-1)

17. Texas (7-3)

18. Michigan (8-2)

19. Virginia (9-2)

20. Tennessee (7-3)

21. Illinois (7-3)

22. Missouri (7-3)

23. Houston (8-2)

24. Tulane (8-2)

25. Arizona State (7-3)

This would put us opposite Ohio State, and in the Indiana side of the bracket. Six or seven is what I'd like, and it was nice to see Illinois make the top 25 for six Big-10 teams. (Of course the SEC has nine! Right)

This is almost perfect. Since we aren't getting a bye, I want the 7 or 6 seed, anything to stay away from tOSU, I would love another shot at Indiana.

I saw this coming... And it's fine.

Making the playoff is clear and easy. Just win.

Bama @ Autzen? I'm ready. Just win out and keep the dream alive.

It can be fun to speculate on matchups but the final poll will not look like this one. I guess I've gotten old (61) because I currently only care about us winning our next two games and getting into the playoffs. Who we play is not as important as making sure we are part of the field. Unfortunately with the narrative that the selection committee and ESPN is spinning we must win our last two games. I realize that OBD will probably be 1-3 spots below were we deserve to be in the final rankings.

SWEET. As Charles noted, Illinois is No. 21 and will be favored to win at Wisconsin on Saturday and then at home vs Northwestern.

No. 18 Michigan should win at Maryland Saturday, and if not blown out by Ohio State, stay ranked on 12/7 at 9-3.

USC at 15th is also great for OBD. Even with a loss Saturday, a 3-loss SC should remain in the top 25 next week and in the final top 25 at 9-3 with a win over UCLA.

No. 13 Miami would be the 11 seed and No. 24 Tulane the 12th seed. No. 11 BYU and No. 12 Utah would be knocked out, and Bama at No. 10 would be on the PO cusp with a game left at Auburn.

One ACC and one B12 team would be in the 2025-26 PO field.

If the 12-team field continues in 2026-27 and the chips fall the same way, as is likely, by not supporting Petitti's format, the ACC and B12 would miss out on millions of dollars plus PO play-in game dollars.

Notre Dame would be in the field as an at-large team if it finishes in the top 16. Why is Notre Dame opposed to the AQ format?

December 1st is the latest date a new PO format has to be agreed to, or it's 12 teams next season. However, if back-channel negotiations are going on, I expect ESPN and TNT would extend the 12/1 date.

Wake Up! Sankey's 5-11 format is good for the SEC, and that's all.

Tony Petitti's major concern about the selection process is being borne out. The Committee's latest ranking appears to be based on whimsy, almost entirely on subjectivity. A/k/a The Eye 🤠Test.

Again, we do not have access to the metrics used by the Committee. I am using the Massey Computer Ratings top 25 (M25) for this exercise.

Nos. 19 Virginia, 23 Houston, and 24 Tulane are not in the M25. Nos. 17 Texas and 20 Tennessee are -5. Alabama is -4.

Many SEC teams are ranked, but Greg Sankey cannot be happy about the Committee dropping Bama six spots after the close loss to Oklahoma. The Committee forgave Bama its opening loss to now 5-5 Florida State because of quality wins against No. 4 Georgia, No. 14 Vanderbilt, No. 20 Tennessee, and No. 22 Missouri. Now?

Compared to the M25, No. 16 Georgia Tech is Plus 8. Nos. 5 Texas Tech, 13 Miami, and Vanderbilt are +4.

I examine No. 15 USC's two losses and wonder why and how SC is ranked behind two-loss No. 12 Utah. SC lost on the road to No. 21 Illinois and No. 9 Notre Dame by a total of 12 points. Utah was blown out in Salt Lake by No. 5 Texas Tech and lost to No. 11 BYU.

1 loss OBD at No. 7 is two spots lower than No. 5 in the M25. OBD lost to the Committee's 2nd-ranked Indiana. Texas Tech lost to No. 25 ASU. Massey ranks OBD's SOS the 26th most difficult to date. Texas Tech's SOS is the 48th most difficult.

No explanation from the Committee will be forthcoming. That's ESPN's job. Everyone knows OBD chokes in the 4th quarter, just like it did in the loss against Iowa, right? Right?

The process is faulty. The CBB Committee discloses the metrics it uses and gives a top 16 sneak peek shortly before releasing its ranking and seeding of 68 teams. And the CBB Committee has far more game-played results to refer to and to program into its metrics. Of course, the CBB Tournament is not operated by a media entity.

Seed Big Ten 4th automatic qualifier USC No. 16 if need be, but a 9-3 SC in a 16-team PO field would not rock the very foundation of CFB.

In a 16-team field with automatic qualifiers, the Committee's 10th-ranked Alabama would be an at-large selection and the 5th SEC team in the field. The ACC would have two teams qualify for a 16-team field, and the B12 would have three teams in the field.

I am not as sanguine about a 10-2 OBD being a PO lock as I was earlier. Best win the last two and hope for a 1st-round home game.

We need to win the next 6 games to…….

12 hours ago, JB89 said:

I guess I've gotten old (61)

Look here kid, that ain't old. I'm 75 and am only "older". I tell people I've started the 4th quarter of my life . . . I just don't want the two-minute warning yet.

4th quarter and praying for OT

53 minutes ago, Steven A said:

Look here kid, that ain't old. I'm 75 and am only "older". I tell people I've started the 4th quarter of my life . . . I just don't want the two-minute warning yet.

Don't talk about years, talk about levels. You've reached the 75th level--that's impressive!

61? You're closing in on Middle Age. 😁