Urban Meyer circles Oregon as the team that could make the most noise in November
In the eyes of the College Football Playoff committee, Oregon is currently the best one-loss team in the country. Dan Lanning‘s team has only lost to Washington on the road and has been beating up on every other team on their schedule. Debuting in the ranking at No. 6, only undefeated are ahead of the Ducks.
At least to Urban Meyer, Oregon is way better than the No. 6 team in the country. Of course, the loss is going to knock them down in the rankings. It’s how the College Football Playoff works, especially this early in the cycle.
However, when looking at the tape, you would have a tough time convincing Meyer that anybody is playing better at the moment other than Oregon.
“Oregon might be the best team in the country,” Meyer said via Urban’s Take with On3’s Tim May. “Just on videotape. Offense, defense, kicking. That’s the way they play. They play really hard, they’re really well coached but they lost. So, I’m a head coach, going to say ‘Just don’t lose because we have a great team. But you did lose.’
“On video tape, Oregon might be the best team in the country.”
Since the Washington loss, Oregon has won two games by an average of three touchdowns. Those have been statement games, especially facing off against Utah in Salt Lake City.
November provides another opportunity for the Ducks to prove themselves. Saturday’s game against Cal should not be too difficult before having three tough Pac-12 games to close out the season. USC will come to Eugene, with their mood likely being based on their result vs. Washington.
Oregon will then travel down to Tempe, a place they have struggled in recent history. A true freshman Jayden Daniels ended Oregon’s College Football Playoff hopes back in 2019 when Justin Herbert was at quarterback. In fact, they have not won in the desert since 2015.
Even so, if you are the best team in the country like Meyer believes they are, you should be able to win on the road vs. an Arizona State team destined to finish under .500 this season.
To close out the season, the Civil War vs. Oregon State can provide any kind of drama. Especially with Lanning desperate to get a win against a rival after starting 0-3.
If Oregon can come out with an 11-1 record while continuing to win by a good margin, Meyer’s opinion would likely be reflected in the CFP rankings. November has the opportunity to be a real statement month for the Ducks.