Lessons in Game 7; what's ahead in November
Nov. 8: Oregon at Iowa, fans wear GREEN
EUGENE — Oregon’s gritty 21-7 win over Wisconsin last week wasn’t always pretty, but it was far more comfortable than that 16-13 escape from Madison a year ago.
We watched Oregon grind through a win that looked far easier on paper: That painfully slow start in the first quarter, rain-slick footballs in the second half, and a great look at backup QB Brock Thomas being a difference-maker in meaningful game situations.
For me, the brightest spots were:
Oregon played increasingly better as the conditions got worse.
RB Jordon Davison’s second straight 100-yard game earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
The Badgers came in playing that classic Big Ten brand of defense: Old-school, smashmouth, and relentless. Oregon matched it with muscle and patience, the kind of vibe that wins you games when style points aren’t coming easily.
Thomas and Davison gained traction when the offense needed it most, and Oregon found a way to take command late.
Even wins like this, the ones you muscle through, still keep you in the race and keep your destiny in your own hands.
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Weathering the storm
Let’s be honest: Oregon’s offense sputtered early, even in the best weather conditions of what turned into a rainy, windy game.
Recovered the onside opening kickoff, but didn’t convert it to points.
Finished the first quarter with single-digit total offense and no scoring.
OFFENSE
Oregon’s physical running game showed up. Davison (16 for 102) and Noah Whittington (14 for 97) each nearly out-rushed Wisconsin’s team total (110 yards).
Oregon is clearly among the best RB rooms and QB rooms in the nation. The Ducks’ O-Line has shown they can lean into either phase to finish drives and finish games. That’s a huge plus.
Circumstances weren’t ideal, and the Ducks didn’t flinch.
DEFENSE
Oregon’s defense bent, but didn’t really break. Wisconsin only managed one score, and that wasn’t until well into the fourth quarter with 7:57 left to play.
Oregon collected the game’s only turnover, on Sophomore Daylen Austin’s first career interception.
The manner of victory suggests that when the Ducks encounter pressure again (and they will), they have the grit to overcome it.
Fan Guide: UO-Iowa
Fans wear GREEN
Saturday, Nov. 8
TV & kickoff time TBD
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Nov. 8: Oregon at Iowa, TV & kickoff time TBD
Big Ten race
In the larger scope of the Big Ten Conference, Oregon is still in the mix.
Ohio State and Indiana entered November unbeaten, and the Hoosiers have the head-to-head tiebreaker over Oregon.
Oregon leads the pack of one-loss teams giving chase.
The path forward is about piling up conference wins in November. It’ll take an upset or two elsewhere in the conference for Oregon to get back to the Big Ten title game, but the one-loss Ducks are absolutely in the thick of the playoff race.
The November road
Looking ahead: Oregon’s slate in November is stiff but manageable.
Nov. 8: Oregon at Iowa, TV & kickoff time TBD
FRI Nov. 14: Minnesota at Oregon, 9pm ET/8pm CT/6pm Pacific | FOX
Nov. 22: USC at Oregon, TV & kickoff time TBD
Nov. 29: Oregon at UW, TV & kickoff time TBD
If Oregon wins out or drops one but dominates the rest, that keeps them in serious contention for the playoff. Win these four November games and you’re practically guaranteed a playoff seed.
The Iowa game looms large. It’s a tough road environment against a traditionally rugged Hawkeyes defense, and Oregon hasn’t played particularly well coming off bye weeks.
Beyond that, Minnesota, USC, and the trip north to UW are all winnable matchups with playoff implications and opponents not to be taken lightly.
Conference competition
Ohio State: The Buckeyes have deep talent and sky-high expectations. Unlike 2024, Oregon doesn’t get a shot at Ohio State in the regular season.
Michigan: The Wolverines won four of their first five conference games, signaling a resurgence from their post-Harbaugh dip. On one hand, the Wolverines are right on pace with Oregon into the November stretch run. Other hand, Michigan is one of the most likely contenders to help the Ducks by putting a conference loss on Ohio State.
Indiana: The Hoosiers entered November unbeaten with arguably the most favorable remaining schedule among the conference leaders.
The direct danger for Oregon could be if a game like Iowa or Washington slides the Ducks into a second loss. On the flip side, if Oregon wins out and one of the other conference leaders stumbles, that opens the door wider for the Ducks.
The bottom line
Wisconsin was another gritty Big Ten win for Oregon, and every single one of those matters. November will be anything but comfortable. We’re in the Show-Out phase now.
Oregon’s playoff prospects hang on the November schedule.
Duck Nation, you have every right to high hopes, but you should also feel a cautious edge. Because in the 18-team Big Ten, if you don’t dominate, someone will.
The Ducks proved they belong. Now they have to finish strong.
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