College Football Week 8: Gut Reactions, CFB Playoff Projections

Oct 22, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Derius Davis (11) and TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Taye Barber (4) celebrate a touchdown in the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

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Syndication: The Register Guard /

The Pac-12’s playoff hopes are dwindling

Chip Kelly’s return to Eugene didn’t go exactly as he wanted but the offense actually looked pretty good. Dorian Thompson-Robinson did throw an interception and Zach Charbonnet went off for over 150 yards.

The problem is that the defense couldn’t stop Oregon. The Ducks ran for over 250 yards (more than 500 total) and Bo Nix threw for 286 yards and five touchdowns as Oregon took a big step towards securing a berth in the Pac-12 championship game, although there is work to do.

While that’s great for the Ducks, it’s not great for the Pac-12’s chances of making the College Football Playoff. UCLA is good but they never had the feel of a playoff contender.

USC does and Utah did, but an early-season loss to Florida killed that dream, just like the 49-3 loss at the hands of Georgia could kill Oregon’s chances regardless of whether or not it wins the Pac-12 championship.

If the Big 12 winds up with a two-loss champion, then Oregon might make it, as long as Georgia beats Tennessee and Alabama. But I don’t see the committee or the college football world longing for an Oregon-Georgia rematch in the CFB Playoff.

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