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. 😁

I agree, why rank 25 teams when only 12 make the field?

Six SEC teams in the field. It Just Means So Much More? 🤮

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-playoff-predictions-scenarios-game-picks-week-13-bracket-national-championship/

It has been said many times, the CFP is decided by B1G TEN and SEC. It doesn't matter what the ACC, B12 or G6 think or want. I am happy the SEC is going to 9 conference games next season. Much harder to look good on paper without 4 automatic wins.

At 61, I was still coaching soccer in all seasons, was bench pressing 250, and my Dad was 90 years old and still drining a cable link D7 bulldozer.

Now, at 72, I'm watching the Ducks from my recliner, listening to my jointss creak, and Dad passed away just short of his 101st birthday.

That's progress.

Having ESPN and the SEC dictate "the CFPrules"Isn't...

It's selfish, greedy old men in a smoke filled backroom, patting each other on the back and knocking back bootleg shots, while maintaining the status quo at the expense of the rest of us.

Edited yesterday at 05:55 PM1 day by woundedknees

why is everyone so scared of Ohio St? come on now..

Yuck, Yuck, Yuck! 🤪Six in the PO is not enough? I get why Jimmy Franklin passed on an SEC coaching gig.

Bama Hammer, I hope you can find a way to win Saturday against Eastern Illinois. 🙃

Bama Hammer

Greg Sankey got Charlie Brown'd by the College Football P...

Many expressed feelings that Greg Sankey acted too quickly in officially changing the SEC's scheduling model. There had long been pressure for the league to mov

In this case, I think the Canes have the right to blow hard. Head-to-head? Move right along, nothing to see here.

And, about two-loss Utah ahead of two-loss SC? SC's 2-point loss on the road at No. 21 Illinois stunk? The loss in a monsoon at No. 9 Notre Dame sucked? Didn't SC blow out No. 18 Michigan?

Tony P, stick to your B1G PO plan guns! And ACC commissioner James Phillips, you might reconsider Tony's PO format and also stop enabling Notre Dame's independence?

Canes Warning

CFP Committee is sending a message that quality losses ma...

The College Football Playoff Committee ranking Notre Dame being ranked ahead of Alabama and

In addition to the Massey CFB computer ranking, here are a few other post-Week 12 computer rankings to ponder-

K Ford - 1. Ohio State/ 2. Indiana/ 3. Oregon

Jeff Sagarin - 1. Ohio State/ 2. Indiana/ 3. Oregon

FEI - 1. Indiana/ 2. Ohio State/ 3. Oregon

FPI - 1. Ohio State/ 2. Indiana/ 3. Oregon

SP+ - 1. Ohio State/ 2. Indiana/ 3. Texas Tech/ 4. Oregon

Keep those machines turned on!😁

There's talk in Georgia and Ole Miss, that they don't want to make it to Atlanta. Both would prefer to have a home playoff game to replace playing a CCG. Is this the same in Eugene? I admit it would be fun to see Alabama or Notre Dame up in Autzen.

Many Duck fans feel that playing Penn State in Indianapolis for the B1G Championship last year was a disadvantage when OBD was the #1 seed vs Ohio State in the Rose Bowl Bowl over two weeks later.

Odds to win it all. OSU +185, Ind +500, Ducks & 'Bama +1500. Ducks preseason were +700.

I'm predicting at least 2 of the top 4 CFP seeds lose again. Being off for a month creates too much rust. Having a home game to start the playoffs, I think is going to turn out to be very important, if they keep 1st round games at home.

I personally think the 1st round and quarterfinals should be home games for the CFP. A bye is nice and all, but a home game is better.

OK, it's a publicity stunt that would not be OK with Sooners fans; Bet MGM has released putative first-round odds for PO games if this week's rankings were final.

Bet MGM had to turn away dozens of fans who tried to place bets. 🤪

12. Tulane at 5. Texas Tech (-29.5). For however long the current PO format remains in place, the 5 seed should have a walkover 1st round game. This is not college basketball.

Earlier this season - Ole Miss 45 - Tulane 10. Tulane did defeat Northwestern.

With a 2nd round game close to a certainty, would Coach McGuire keep his starters in, including brittle QB Behren Morton, and run up the score?

I'd take the points.

9. Notre Dame (-4.5) at 8. Oklahoma. Oklahoma rarely loses in Norman and has a terrific run defense. I'd sooner take Oklahoma and the points.

10. Alabama at 7. Oregon (PK) - DeBoer vs. Danno, in December, in Autzen, what more could we ask for?

Alabama cannot run the football. Oklahoma, without its best edge rusher, kept Bama QB Ty Simpson under pressure he hadn't seen since the opener vs. FSU (🙃) and forced three turnovers.

The Bama passing game was sharp, the Tide had 200 more yards on offense than the Sooners, but the absence of a run game and short fields for the Oklahoma offense made the difference.

EX: A for this Committee making it up as they so choose, Alabama with four wins over top 25 teams, including a road win at No. 4 Georgia, being dropped from 4th to 10th, and on the PO cut line.

If this were the opening line for this matchup in Autzen, I expect, depending on the power of the Bama brand, the line would move in favor of OBD. Accordingly, I'd place a bet on the Ducks ASAP.

11. Miami at 6. Ole Miss (-4.5) - Will Kiffin be coaching Ole Miss? If not, would the Committee, based on the Rebels' rather thin resume, keep the team at No. 6?

I never discount the ability of Mari-oh-oh to pull defeat from the jaws of victory. But Miami has the roster to match up with and win in Oxford, if Carson Beck throws to his teammates and not to Ole Miss DBs.

Ole Miss won a home game this season by 3 points over Wazzu. I'd gulp while taking Miami and the points.

EX: B - No. 9 Notre Dame is 8-2. No. 14. Miami is 8-2.

8/31/25 - Miami 27 - Notre Dame 24.

But - "Notre Dame has better losses, and we haven't compared Miami and Notre Dame head to head because the teams are not in the same grouping." 🤑🤮

Please, bring on an AQ format and kick the Committee to the curb.

PS - Commissioner Yormark, do you not understand that No. 11 BYU and No. 12 Utah would be out of the PO field in favor of 11 seed Miami, or another ACC representative, and 12 seed Tulane or another G6 representative?

Commissioner Phillips, would you prefer having two ACC teams qualify or for your conference to serve as cannon fodder for a Notre Dame program that refuses to share?

Ruin Riley!