Oregon Ducks’ BCS hopes dwindle after loss

After Oregon’s Saturday loss in overtime to Stanford, the Duck’s national championship hopes are hanging by a thread. If the Ducks were to even have a chance at returning to the game again like 2010, they will have to beat the Beavers on Saturday in the Civil War. In addition to that, they will need help from other teams. They will need Notre Dame to lose to USC, which may be highly unlikely with the Trojan’s quarterback Matt Barkley sitting out due to a shoulder injury. Ducks would also have to have Florida lose to Florida State. Best-case scenario for Oregon is to beat the Beavers Saturday and Stanford losing to UCLA, and than having the Pac-12 title game back in Eugene. If Oregon then beats UCLA in the Pac-12 title game they would clinch a spot in the Rose Bowl, if they already didn’t get a chance to play in the BCS title game. Last season the Ducks went 12-2 and ended their season winning the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin 45-38.

Now at 10-1, a lot rides on Saturday’s Civil War for both teams. If the Beavers were to beat the Ducks, Oregon may not even be eligible to be in a BCS bowl game. On ESPN.com bowl projections have Oregon playing Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl, the same team that was No.1 in the nation last week and lost to Baylor last Saturday 52-24.

It’s too early to tell how big losing to Stanford impacted the Ducks title game chances but it did show something that has not been seen in a while – the ducks losing. The Ducks have not lost a game since November 19 of last year, when they lost to US C 38-35. It was a devastating loss this past week. No doubt fans will be having thoughts of what could have been on their minds for a long time.

Ducks better wipe out thoughts of last week and come prepared this weekend. The Beavers are becoming a better team every week. Last week Oregon State beat California 62-14 at Reser Stadium.

Both teams have something to play for; it will be one of the biggest Civil War’s to date. Can the Ducks come into Corvallis and get the win, or will the Beavers prevail, ending the Duck’s tremendous season with a probable Non-BCS bowl game?