Do the Oregon Ducks have the simplest remaining schedule among College Football Playoff contenders?

After a dominant 35-0 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers, the Oregon Ducks are on track for an undefeated regular season. With a favorable schedule ahead, they are well-positioned for both the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff.

EUGENE—The Oregon Ducks are making strong strides toward an unbeaten season. Following a win against what many consider their toughest opponent, Ohio State, Oregon traveled to face Purdue. The Ducks showcased their dominance on both offense and defense, securing a shutout and improving to a 7-0 record. Given their relatively weak remaining schedule, which includes teams that have struggled this season, the Ducks seem poised for an undefeated run.

Next up, Oregon will take on No. 22 Illinois on Saturday, followed by games against Michigan, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Washington. Does this make for the easiest remaining schedule among the top ten teams in the nation?

Meanwhile, No. 3 Penn State and No. 4 Ohio State will clash on November 2, No. 7 Alabama and No. 8 LSU are set to face each other on November 9, and No. 5 Georgia will host No. 11 Tennessee on November 16. Like Oregon, Texas is expected to encounter one more ranked opponent before the regular season concludes.

EUGENE, OREGON – OCTOBER 4: Wide receiver Evan Stewart #7 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates touchdown with teammate Tez Johnson #15 of the Oregon Ducks during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium on October 4, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

Illinois

The Ducks are set to face the Illinois Fighting Illini at home in Autzen Stadium on Saturday, October 26. While Illinois is ranked in the top 25, they have shown vulnerabilities, nearly losing to the unranked Purdue Boilermakers—a team Oregon defeated by 35 points without allowing a single score.

Oregon’s biggest challenge will be containing Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer. He has been a standout for the Illini’s offense, recently achieving a career-high 379 passing yards and adding 60 rushing yards, totaling 439 yards of offense against Purdue.

This matchup marks the first encounter between the Fighting Illini and the Ducks as Big Ten opponents, with Illinois visiting Eugene for the first time since 1995. Oregon leads the all-time series 2-1 and has a perfect 1-0 record at Autzen Stadium. Notably, the Illini are the only ranked opponent on Oregon’s schedule.

Michigan

The Ducks will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to face the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, November 2. Michigan Stadium, commonly known as “The Big House,” is the largest stadium in college football, with a capacity exceeding 107,000, making it one of the most challenging venues to play in.

Although Michigan has solidified its status as a college football powerhouse, even winning the national championship last season, they have struggled with consistency this year. Currently, the Wolverines hold a 4-2 record, having lost to both No. 1 Texas and an unranked Washington team.

Michigan is ranked No. 24 nationally, but their position may change following their recent loss to Illinois on Saturday.

Maryland

Oregon’s upcoming game against Maryland on November 9 at Autzen Stadium is expected to be a relatively easy win for the Ducks. Maryland has struggled this season, holding a 3-3 overall record and an 0-3 mark in Big Ten play. They have even lost to Michigan State, a team that Oregon has already defeated.

Given Oregon’s strong performance and Maryland’s difficulties, it’s highly likely that the Ducks will secure a comfortable victory in this matchup.

Wisconsin

On November 16, the Ducks will travel to face the Wisconsin Badgers in another iconic football setting. Wisconsin, currently unranked, has a 4-2 record. Despite their record, the Badgers could pose a challenge to the No. 2 Ducks. Wisconsin managed to score more points than Oregon did against Purdue, defeating the Boilermakers 52-6.

Although Wisconsin’s record doesn’t reflect it, they have encountered a tough schedule and played some closely contested games. Their solid defense has the potential to disrupt Oregon’s offensive flow. If Oregon underestimates Wisconsin, they might find themselves in a more competitive game than expected.

Washington

The Oregon Ducks will host the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium for a highly anticipated rivalry game. Oregon coach Dan Lanning is yet to defeat the Huskies in his three seasons, but this year may present a good opportunity to finally end that streak.

Oregon has been dominant throughout the season, showcasing a potent offense and a resilient defense. The home-field advantage at Autzen Stadium will be crucial in this matchup. The Huskies currently sit at 4-3, with losses to in-conference teams like Iowa, Rutgers, and Washington State raising questions about their competitiveness. If the Ducks can leverage their home advantage and perform at their best, they should be able to secure a victory and break their losing streak against Washington.

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – OCTOBER 18: Oregon Ducks outside linebacker Emar’rion Winston (32) rushes around the edge during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Oregon Ducks on October 18, 2024, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

While Oregon will encounter several challenging opponents, their schedule is less daunting compared to some other top teams. For instance, in addition to playing Penn State, the Ohio State Buckeyes will conclude their season against Michigan. Meanwhile, Georgia will face No. 18 Ole Miss the week before hosting the Tennessee Volunteers.

Although Oregon’s journey toward an undefeated regular season will have its challenges, the team possesses the talent and momentum to achieve it. With a favorable remaining schedule and strong performances from key players, the Ducks are well-positioned to complete the regular season without a loss and potentially make a significant run in the playoffs.