Yeah, I agree.  The team that we had the most difficulty beating (LOL at you, tOSU) against the team that might be the toughest remaining test on our schedule. 

I think Fresno State was much harder to face in the first game of the season than they would be now.  First game of the season, you haven't worked any of the kinks out.  An offense with effectively a new QB and a secondary missing guys who were supposed to be starters and playing some freshmen.  First game experience for a lot of the combinations, and you face a team with loads of returning starters, a very good and experienced defensive line and an experienced and quality FB.  

I think they were a very tough team for the first game of the season but that we'd beat them handily if playing them again.  If UCLA is really rolling and Chip is back, I don't think they'll struggle with them.  But is UCLA really the kind of Chip teams we've seen in the past?  We'll find out a lot about that tonight, maybe.

Either outcome is good for us, IMO.  If Fresno wins they'll be ranked all year and count as a really good quality win for us.  If UCLA wins it increases the chance that they'll be ranked in the top 7-8 when we play them.

There's loads of other games that are interesting and could have an effect on our playoff chances.  For instance, if it comes down to one-loss Oregon vs one-loss Clemson, the outcome of games like Miami-MSU could have a big impact on how the B1G and thus Oregon's win at OSU is perceived, and also how Clemson's strength of schedule stacks up.  PSU/Auburn could be very relevant, too.  It's now in our interest for the B1G to be seen as a powerhouse conference this year, whether Ohio State wins it or not.  Should be a fun day for a football nerd like me.

23-10 Fresno at the half

What a finish… that Haener dude is a gamer…

Both teams deserve T25 IMO…

Comparative scores are fun.  Michigan beat NIU 63-10.  NIU beat Ga Tech.  Ga Tech took Clemson to the wire and lost 14-8.

Log haulin wrote:

Our concern after week one win over Fresno state seems to be unwarranted. They are a dam good football team. Bulldogs will be a one loss team this year and end the season top 10. Oregon wins out with 2 very tough wins in out of conference play will serve them well. The committee wont be able to leave them out of post season.

Hope so.  If we win out, we're in. 

FSU has to play BSU, at SDSU, at Wyoming, and at Hawaii is always dangerous because of travel and distractions.  They might be better than all those teams but that doesn't mean they'll win them all.  Would be great if they do.

Phil wrote:

You called it LH. 

This does make barely winning against Fresno look better, but this isn't good for the Pac. I think it would've been better for the Ducks to face a ranked UCLA and get the win. It looks like the Ducks my not be able to rack up wins against ranked teams with the way things are playing out. To beat out a 1 loss team like Clemson the Ducks might need to win out. 

I agree on everything but Clemson.  Normally, I'd agree on them, too, but I look at their schedule.

I don't see any chances to get quality wins for them.  No one on their schedule is ranked.  Right now, we have two wins against ranked teams, they have none, and no guarantee of a chance for anymore before their conference championship.

A bunch of teams looked underwhelming yesterday. Alabama jumped out to a commanding first quarter lead and was outplayed the final three quarters; Oklahoma looked average against Nebraska; Clemson only scored 14 points; Tulsa took the luckeyes to the 4th quarter...there are always a zillion problems with your team yet all the preseason chatter was Oregon needed to be 3-0 at this point to have a chance to make the playoffs...well they are!

Otherwise I think the team which may be playing better than anyone in the Pac-12 after horrible looking first game is Stanford!

First things first as Oregon needs to take care if business at home against Arizona but the following week Oregon at Stanford looks to be a real challenge. Go Ducks!