CFP Committee Chair Jeff Long Explains Final Rankings

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Ducks are going to the Rose Bowl! After lengthy deliberations, the Oregon Ducks were confirmed Sunday morning on ESPN as one of four teams in the first College Football Playoff. The New Year’s Day semifinal playoff games are No. 2 Oregon vs No. 3 Florida State in the Rose Bowl and No. 1 Alabama vs No. 4 Ohio State in …

America’s Team, Its Dream, and the Commissioner’s Failed Scheme

Nathan Roholt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

America’s Team Last week, I wrote that Oregon’s likeliest path (if the Ducks kept playing) was a dream scenario of games against Arizona, Florida State, and Alabama. Then the Selection Committee decided to jump TCU up to three last Tuesday, trying to ruin everyone’s good time in the process. In the end, logic prevailed (depending on your perspective), and that …

College Football Drama and Elephants in the Room

Mike Merrell FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Mike Merrell’s Three and Out Despite a mid-season hiccup that had bandwagon fans clinging for their dear fan-lives, the Oregon Ducks are in the first College Football Playoff as the Rose Bowl home team facing the Florida State Seminoles. It’s a great matchup: East vs West, North vs South, this year’s probable Heisman winner vs last year’s Heisman winner; and, …

Senior Leaders talk FSU and Jameis Winston

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

As senior leaders for a talented Oregon team, Hroniss Grasu, Keanon Lowe and Derrick Malone understand a large weight was just placed on their shoulders. Not only will the playoffs be a different atmosphere from most of what the players on the team have experienced before, but they’re also pushing to prepare the younger guys to fill in for injured …

Ducks to Face FSU in Rose Bowl

McKalie Bellew FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s official, fan friends! Oregon has locked down their spot in the College Football Playoffs and will be playing Florida State in the Rose Bowl on January 1. In this playoff our Ducks (12-1) are are ranked No. 2 and the Seminoles (13-0) are ranked No. 3. Florida State is undefeated and the only team in this playoff rack to …

Ducks Playoff Bound, Historic Season Continues

Omar Garibay FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After 15 hard-fought weeks, the day that many college football fans had been waiting for has finally arrived. The college football selection committee announced the final four teams that will participate in the inaugural college football playoffs. Oregon was presented as the No. 2 team in the country, and the Ducks are set to take on the No. 3 Florida …

SOS: The Pac-12 IS the Strongest Conference

Dave Kensler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

In reading a wide range of articles and subsequent reactions from around the country Friday night after Oregon won the Pac-12 Conference Championship, it is nice to see a lack of “the Pac-12 is such a weak conference” commentary. I am one who believes your conference is perceived to be better when the traditional powerhouse team(s) are relevant. In our …

Sunday Reaction: Ducks Look Like Championship Material

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

A group of my friends and myself sat, heads low, watching as the final seconds ticked off the first quarter. Marcus Mariota looked off, Byron Marshall couldn’t secure a catch, and consequently, the Ducks had settled for field goals on their first two drives. I looked to my friend of thirteen years and without saying a word I knew we …

Larry Scott: Pac-12, Oregon Soaring

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The 2014 Pac-12 Championship game was and will be the only major conference championship that featured two top 10 teams. After a slow start for the Ducks at Levi’s Stadium, the title bout eventually turned into a rout of Arizona, 51-13. The No. 2 team in the nation shined last night, all but securing a spot in the first College Football …

Coach Helfrich couldn’t “Be More Proud of his Team”

Austin Willhoft FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Well, there you have it folks! The Ducks have officially been crowned the 2014 Pac-12 Champions. Whether you were at Levi’s Stadium or watching the game on television, the most astounding aspect of this match-up was how the box score electrified each quarter for Oregon. At the end of the day the Ducks gathered 627 total yards of offense. Plus, …

Oregon Ducks Are Athletic Indeed

Mike Merrell FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

“They are very, very athletic.” – Arizona Coach Rich Rodriguez, describing the Oregon Ducks, who had just de-clawed his Arizona Wildcats, 51-13 in the 2014 Pac-12 Championship Game. Rich Rod got that one right, and it’s something for whoever matches up against the Ducks in the first-ever College Football Playoff to think about. If you read the comments section to …

Balanced Ducks Make Case for No.1 Ranking in Rout of Arizona

Joey Holland FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Oregon Ducks are officially the hottest team in college football. If dominance combined with the ability to overcome adversity is what the college football playoff committee wants to see in 2014, then Oregon may have provided them with everything they need to move the Ducks to the top spot in the rankings. Not only did Oregon redeem its only …