Will Stein, Oregon named 5-seed in College Football Playoff

by: Zack Geoghegan7 hours agoZGeogheganKSR

Before Kentucky’s new head football coach can turn his full attention toward what’s happening in Lexington, he’ll first try to win a national championship.

On Sunday afternoon, it was announced that Oregon has earned the 5-seed in the upcoming College Football Playoff. Will Stein, who was named Mark Stoops‘ replacement at UK last week, is expected to finish out his season as the Ducks’ offensive coordinator before making his way to UK full-time. Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech were tabbed as the CFP’s top four seeds, respectively.

Oregon (11-1) just missed out on receiving one of the top four seeds and the bye that comes with it, but the Ducks will still host their first-round matchup against 12-seed James Madison (12-1) in Eugene. The Dukes won the Sun Belt Confernce on Saturday by beating Troy with ease, 31-14. This will be the first-ever meeting between Oregon and James Madison, and the second straight CFP appearance for Oregon.

The winner of Oregon-James Madison (scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET | TNT/HBO Max) will face 4-seed Texas Tech, which won the Big 12 Championship earlier this weekend, in the second round. James Madison will be coached by Bob Chesney, who was recently named the new head coach of UCLA. Oregon has opened as a 21.5-point favorite against James Madison, per BetMGM.

Stein will have the tough challenge of balancing being Oregon’s OC with the goal of winning a national title while also putting together a coaching staff and roster in Lexington for next season. But the Louisville native has already done a good job of adding several assistants to his staff, including an offensive coordinator and a general manager. Having a GM in place will be important while Stein manages both jobs.

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Keep in mind that if Oregon beats James Madison, the next game against Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl will happen on Thursday, Jan. 1, at noon ET on ESPN. The transfer portal window officially opens on Jan. 2 and will continue until Jan. 16.

Also of note, Tulane, led by former Kentucky player/coach Jon Sumrall, picked up the 11-seed and will take on 6-seed Ole Miss in the first round. Sumrall has been hired as the new head coach at Florida, but like Stein, will finish out the postseason with his current school before making the move to his new spot.

Below is the full College Football Playoff bracket. To say college football fans online are unhappy about a pair of non-Power 4 schools making the 12-team bracket would be an understatement.