Oregon drops in latest ESPN Power Rankings after upset loss to Washington
The Oregon Ducks entered Saturday with all of the momentum in the worst, just 4 wins away from a likely trip to the College Football Playoff and unlimited success in Dan Lanning’s first year as head coach.
They left with an excruciating loss to their most hated rivals, the Washing Huskies, and questions about what’s next.
While there is still a lot to play for in Eugene, the Ducks need to hit a reset button of sorts after allowing over 500-yards of offense to Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies. The loss didn’t tank their season, but it did drop them in the ESPN Power Rankings a decent amount.
Take a look at where Oregon now stands:
Georgia Bulldogs (10-0)
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs helmet sits on the sideline in a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0)
Oct 1, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) looks for an open receiver in the first quarter of the NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium.
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Michigan Wolverines (10-0)
Oct 12, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; A Michigan Wolverines helmet sits on the back of the bench during the second half of the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Allio-USA TODAY Sports
TCU Horned Frogs (10-0)
Nov 5, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) celebrates a touchdown pass with offensive tackle Andrew Coker (74) during the second half of a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Volunteers (9-1)
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) congratulates Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy (15) on his touchdown during the first half of a game between the Tennessee Vols and Florida Gators, in Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.
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LSU Tigers (8-2)
Jan 13, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detail view of LSU Tigers helmets after the LSU Tigers defeated the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
USC Trojans (9-1)
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
After losses from both Oregon and UCLA on Saturday, the Trojans are quite literally the only hope left for the Pac-12 to get into the CFP. Here’s what ESPN had to say about them:
There wasn’t really anything to gain for USC in its game against Colorado. Win big, it’s expected. Anything else, it’s concerning. The Trojans still managed to get a little bit of both. They trailed 3-2 at the end of the first quarter before cruising to a 55-17 win. Beyond that, there’s not much to read into. It would have been hard to watch that game and come away thinking better of the Trojans than previously.
Alabama Crimson Tide (8-2)
Sep 4, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) on the field before the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Clemson Tigers (9-1)
Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) passes near NC State linebacker Payton Wilson (11) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, October 1, 2022.
Ncaa Football Clemson Football Vs Nc State Wolfpack
North Carolina Tar Heels (8-2)
Nov 5, 2022; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) carries the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon Ducks (9-2)
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Brutal day for the Ducks, who saw their playoff hopes crash and burn. Here’s ESPN’s explainer for the ranking:
And like that, the Ducks’ CFP dreams are dead. It’s a result that has the potential to haunt first-year coach Dan Lanning for his decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 with a minute and a half to go. With the game tied at 34, the Ducks went for it from their own 33, only to get stuffed. Four plays later, Washington kicked the game-winning field goal in a thrilling Pac-12 game.
Utah Utes (8-2)
Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
The Utes are going to try and kick Oregon while the Ducks are down next week on a potential road to the Pac-12 title game. Here’s ESPN’s reasoning for the ranking:
A slow start for the Utes gave way to a trouncing of Stanford in Salt Lake City. The Cardinal had a 7-0 lead after one quarter, but by the time the clock hit zero Utah had scored 42 unanswered points. It was a performance fueled by a 180-yard rushing night from Tavion Thomas who also added two touchdowns. Cam Rising threw another pick, but his three touchdowns over the air nullified any mistakes as the Utes continued their march toward defending their Pac-12 title.
Washington Huskies (8-2)
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Washington is riding high after a win over Oregon, and they’re back in the hunt for the Pac-12 Championship game. Here’s what ESPN had to say about them:
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 408 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Huskies picked up their most impressive win of the season, taking down No. 6 Oregon 37-34 in Eugene. It’s a win that will hurt the Pac-12’s playoff chances, not that the Huskies will care in the slightest. Oregon moved the ball at will all game (592 yards) but it was the Huskies defense that forced a field goal in the red zone late, then came up with a 4th-and-1 stop to set up the game-winning field goal.
Penn State Nittany Lions (8-2)
Oct 31, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; General view of the Penn State Nittany Lions logo inside Beaver Stadium prior to the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State won 39-0. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Ole Miss Rebels (8-2)
Mississippi Head Coach Lane Kiffin returns to Neyland Stadium before an SEC football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.
Kns Tennessee Ole Miss Football
UCF Knights (8-2)
Oct 31, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; A general picture of a UCF Knights helmet and shoulder pads prior to the game against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas State Wildcats (7-3)
Kansas State’s Adrian Martinez (9) runs for a touchdown in front of Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman (5) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Kansas State won 41-34.
Ou Vs Kansas State
UCLA Bruins (8-2)
UCLA suffered a tough upset loss to Arizona on Saturday, knocking them out of playoff contention as well. Here’s what ESPN had to say:
The Bruins firepower ran out on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl as Dorian Thompson-Robinson couldn’t complete the comeback on the final drive of the game against Arizona. The offense that had vaulted them to wins over Utah and Washington this season couldn’t dig itself out the whole the defense created from the jump. The Wildcats embraced their underdog status, going up 14-0 in the first quarter and then scoring 13 in the fourth. It was just enough to edge out the Bruins, who are now longshots to get into the conference title game.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-3)
Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer (87) runs the ball on a play that was called back during the Notre Dame vs. Stanford NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.
Notre Dame Vs Stanford Football
Florida State Seminoles (7-3)
Nov 25, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles helmet lays on the field against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tulane Green Wave (8-2)
Sep 17, 2022; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; The Tulane Green Wave and Kansas State Wildcats line up before the snap of the ball during the fourth quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (9-1)
Nov 20, 2021; Conway, South Carolina, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers quarterback Grayson McCall (10) runs the ball in the first half against the Texas State Bobcats at Brooks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bearcats (8-2)
The Cincinnati Bearcats offensive line lines up for a play during a college football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Cincinnati Bearcats At Ohio State Buckeyes Sept 7
Oregon State Beavers (7-3)
Oregon State Beavers quarterback Ben Gulbranson points during the first quarter against Washington State at Reser Stadium at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore. on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.
Ncaa Football Washington State At Oregon State 1031
Troy Trojans (8-2)
Nov 12, 2022; Troy, Alabama, USA; Troy Trojans head coach Jon Sumrall celebrates with his team after a 10-9 victory against the Army Black Knights at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
