Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks College Football Playoff Prediction

The Oregon Ducks football team has College Football Playoff goals for the 2024 college football season. A prediction for who coach Dan Lanning's Ducks would play in the CFP, using the preseason coaches poll.
Bri Amaranthus|
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (2) and Tez Johnson (15) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (2) and Tez Johnson (15) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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The Oregon Ducks football team has College Football Playoff goals for the 2024 college football season. The Ducks are a first-year Big Ten team in a position to win right away against a conference full of National Championship contenders.

The College Football Playoff is expanding from four teams to 12 teams in 2024, opening up competition and creating more meaningful games. The five highest-ranked conference championsand the next seven highest-ranked teams will compete in the playoff for the 2024 National Title.

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (2) and Tez Johnson (15) against the Liberty Flames
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (2) and Tez Johnson (15) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon is the No. 3 ranked team in the country in the preseason coaches poll - UO's highest ranking in the preseason coaches poll since 2013. Last preseason, the Ducks ranked just a mere No. 15.

Using the poll, here is an early prediction for the Ducks' College Football Playoff matchup:

Oregon (3) vs. Memphis (highest-ranked Group of Five team) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. The winner would play the Big 12 champion... Using the poll that would be No. 13 Utah, the highest-ranked Big 12 team.

Oregon has a chance to make a splash in the Big Ten. The Ducks' speed on offense is balanced with its aggressive offensive line, full of returners, and physical brand of a menacing defensive line.

“Our defense is loaded. I feel like our defense will be the best in the country this year,”Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson told Oregon Sports Illustrated’s Bri Amaranthus. “We have so many weapons on defense that it's going to confuse a lot of people. That's why I'm excited to get to the Big Ten and show everybody we belong in this conference."

Another interesting CFP prediction based on the coaches poll:

Alabama (5) vs. Michigan (8) at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This would be a rematch of last season's CFP semifinal game, with the winner playing the Big Ten Champion... Using the poll that would be No. 2 Ohio State, the highest-ranked Big Ten team.

Oregon kicks off their inaugural season as members of the Big Ten against Idaho on Aug. 31 inAutzen Stadium.

MORE: Oregon Football's Dan Lanning Analyzes First Full-Pads Practice: "You See Who’s Real and Who’s Not"

MORE: Oregon Ducks Recruiting: Three Flippable Football Recruits, Class of 2025

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Bri Amaranthus
BRI AMARANTHUS

Bri Amaranthus is an Emmy-winning sports reporter with over 12 years of experience in television, radio, podcasting, and digital sports journalism. She has been with Sports Illustrated for four years, providing breaking news, exclusive interviews, and analysis on the NFL, college sports, and the NBA. Prior to joining SI, Bri hosted NBC Sports Northwest's prime-time television show, where she also served as the Oregon beat reporter and created content covering both the NBA and college sports. Throughout her career, Bri has achieved significant milestones, including covering major events like the NBA Finals, NFL playoffs, College Football Playoff, NCAA Basketball Tournament, NFL Draft, and the NFL Combine. She earned a D1 scholarship to play softball at the University of San Diego and won two state softball titles in high school in Oregon. In addition to her Emmy win for NBC's All-Star Coach special, she has received multiple Emmy nominations, highlighting her dedication and talent in sports journalism.

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