And here we are, 6 games deep. Oregon finally challenged by a ranked opponent, and still rolled to a 3 touchdown victory on the road. Without DeAnthony Thomas.

Next up: Washington St.

Game to watch (UCLA/Stanford is a pretty big game for both teams, more for UCLA who is still perfect)

Here you're going to witness my pessimism, and this is likely going to come off as a very solid double standard.

I prefer to think of it as reservation. There's no room for a loss in any division with Alabama/Clemson/Ohio State all lined up to finish with perfect records. Which is a serious testimonial to the need for a four team playoff. You imagine telling a perfect Ohio State, Oregon, Clemson or Alabama team that they did all they could, and it still wasn't enough? Total shit in my opinion.
 
That said, I am really optimistic about Oregons chances, but trying to keep my glee to a minimum, lest I end up eating a solid serving of crow.

Last edited by alz (10/16/2013 9:51 am)

If OSU loses, they are screwed, and might be screwed anyway. Their Strength of Schedule isn't enough to overcome a perfect PAC-12 or SEC team, or Clemson.

Clemson has Florida State, South Carolina, and a title game against Va Tech or Miami in addition to a pretty high profile Georgia game (although after Missou beat Georgia, and with the injuries they have, that may not be as big a win when the BCS computers start spinning).
Alabama has LSU, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, and Auburn on their schedule.
Oregon has UCLA (possibly twice), Washington, Stanford.

Ohio State beating Wisconsin and Northwestern doesn't compare to any of the above three.

With Stanford losing, Oregon isn't even a lock, although I think they have the voters polls locked down which helps a ton. The computers put weight on the strength of the opponents, and Clemson/Alabama have the toughest schedules of the four.  Hopefull Utah and Oregon State both get rankings by the time we play them (Oregon State should, Utah might).

Stanford needed to be a top 5 win for us. Almost hoping UCLA beats them so UCLA jumps higher in the rankings for us to play them. Beating a perfect team is a lot better looking than beating 2 one-loss teams.

Edit: Who do you see tripping Alabama? LSU maybe I guess?

Last edited by alz (10/16/2013 11:34 am)

Hope you're right TK, it eliminates the dark cloud that could be 4 major undefeated teams and deciding which 2 get to play for glory and which 2 get screwed.

If it ended today: I'd have to say that Oregon gets graced just because of their strength in the human polls which is 2/3rds of the final tally, and Alabama because you can't tell the perfect SEC back to back champions that they can't dance.

And that's a real disservice to the seasons that OSU and Clemson have put up, it would be a damned shame.

So Oregon's season is about to come to "the game". Washington was handled, UCLA was handled. The hopes and dreams of Duck fans everywhere have built with each snap.

And it brings us to Stanford. Stanford ended Oregon's hopes of a national championship game appearance last year with an OT victory. The year before that Oregon ended Stanfords national championship dreams in a similar fashion.

If Oregon prevails they are not sailing smooth, although it will certainly put them back in 2nd place in the standings. Utah beat Stanford, Arizona is 6-2, Oregon State is 6-3 and a rivalry game. Then there's the PAC-12 title game, which will either be against Arizona State / USC / UCLA.

However, as I said when I started the season. Oregon cannot even dream about success if they don't get through Stanford. Both teams had bye weeks leading into this game, and will be well prepared for each other. I cannot wait for Thursday.

In other college news, the game of the week Saturday will be the annual Alabama/LSU slugfest. For the first time in years, I'll go on record and say, Alabama cannot lose this game and make the national championship game. The only way to get that invitation will be going perfect. That said... LSU isn't amazing this season, but they always play Alabama tough. Still have to think Alabama wins.

True Artie, but I would say Miami probably wasn't the 7th best team in CFB either, but if FSU is going to get credit for pounding them, I'll take whatever I can get!

"In other college news, the game of the week Saturday will be the annual Alabama/LSU slugfest"

I think Bama will do most if not all of the slugging . LSU's defense is very vulnerable...

alz wrote:

forsberg_us wrote:

If Oregon wins out, they will finish no worse than #2 in the BCS.  A win Thursday would allow Oregon to jump FSU.  FSU has no one of significance left on their schedule.  They have to go to Gainesville to play Florida, but Florida is probably looking at a 6-6 season.

I'm not terribly concerned with the BCS. From everything I've read, Oregon controls their own fate. I feel bad for OSU/FSU/Baylor because they could all go perfect, and not get there.

I was reading about the impact of playing a team twice and how it diminishes the return substantially, and wondered how that could be. I forgot the BCS evaluates all your wins and your opponents records. So beating an opponent for a second time means an extra loss to an opponent for two of your games. I'm almost hoping to avoid UCLA in the PAC 12 title game for that reason. I guess FSU thumping Miami would make it even, but that kind of sucks...

I wouldn't feel bad for OSU or Baylor.  Both the B1G and the Big XII (-2, -1, -1, +2) are pathetically week.  I'll give Baylor a little credit if it manages to win out, but right now its strength of schedule is #93, and OSU's is #81.  Those teams are basically playing an FCS schedule.  Not to mention, Urban Meyer is a complete fucking douche bag and doesn't deserve anything good--ever.
 

I watched until halftime and I was surprised by how close the final score was, because Oregon couldn't get Stanford's offense off the field in the first half. 

And Stanford turns around and gives Oregon a small hope of being back in the NC title game.

Back up to 5.

Baylor visiting Oklahoma State has promise for an upset. Nothing else really does this week. So here's hoping, and maybe Oregon can be #4 next weekend.

Week 14 has some upset potentials... Alabama going to Auburn being the big one, although I'm not sure if it helps us. Point 1. If Alabama falls they may not fall past Oregon even with a loss there. Auburn is #6 and a win would almost certainly vault them over Oregon.

FSU Visiting Florida, doubtful, but maybe.
OSU visiting Michigan, doubtful but maybe.

After that it's Title games.
SEC would be Bama vs Missou or South Carolina. Challenge either way.
ACC title game FSU vs whoever (doubtful, but maybe)
Big Ten Title game (OSU vs Michigan State, this is the only real chance OSU has at losing a game)
Baylor has no title game.

So hmm. Going to be fairly interesting. A lot less so if Oregon would have just played against Stanford... Two years now that we've f---ed up title dreams in that game.. Se la vi.

artie_fufkin wrote:

 I can't believe that mess of a USC team I saw six weeks ago beat Stanford.
The Trojans are so much better off with Orgeron. Lane Kiffin really is the worst person ever.

Orgeron played his college football at the University I graduated from , (years later , of course); Bobby Hebert was the QB during that time...
 

artie_fufkin wrote:

don.rob11 wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

 I can't believe that mess of a USC team I saw six weeks ago beat Stanford.
The Trojans are so much better off with Orgeron. Lane Kiffin really is the worst person ever.

Orgeron played his college football at the University I graduated from , (years later , of course); Bobby Hebert was the QB during that time...
 

Except for my general disdain for anyone in the employ of the USC, I didn't really have any particular animosity toward Orgeron until Brent Musberger told me what a good guy he is about 522 times during last Saturday's game. What Musberger says on the air isn't necessarily Orgeron's fault, I know, but I'm not disposed toward rational thought about the University of Spoiled Children.
 

Orgeron had his wild side and more than his share of problems before he got in his present position . I would not recommend him as the new coach at USC.....