Oregon kicks off November grind, Big Ten stretch run
1-loss Ducks in the thick of the CFP race
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IOWA CITY — Oregon cleared its early-season tests with a 7-1 record, and now the calendar flips to November. Four games still decide whether the defending conference champ makes another Big Ten statement or settles into “rebuilding-season” rhetoric.
Coming off a bye week, the Ducks face a November run that blends old-school, upper-midwest grind with former Pac-12 rivalries transplanted to the expanded Big Ten.
Oregon’s November slate is stiff but manageable.
Nov. 8: Oregon at Iowa, 330pm ET/230pm CT/1230pm Pacific | CBS
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
Oregon fans, by now you know that September and October strength can blur into “coulda-shoulda” seasons if you don’t finish the job. You’ve seen what this program is capable of, and you’ve already seen once-mighty teams fall by the wayside this year: Texas, Penn State, and Miami, to name a few.
The November road
1. At Iowa: Sneaky good defense; loud consequences.
Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium is unforgiving, and the two-loss Hawkeyes know how to win the ugly, how to slow visiting offenses, and will their way into late-game opportunities.
While many Oregon fans are already getting preoccupied with the familiar showdowns looming against USC and UW, don’t sleep on Iowa. The Hawkeyes are sneaky good. Very little flash, and a super-stout defense.
For Oregon, discipline will be king in this one. Travel fatigue, chilly weather, and shaking off the bye week. If the Ducks execute without a stumble, they’ll walk away not just with a win, but with momentum.
2. vs. Minnesota: Friday night lights at Autzen.
A few short weeks ago, Oregon was riding an 18-game home win streak. Even on the short week for FOX Football Friday vs. visiting Minnesota, November is a stretch the one-loss Ducks will have to dominate to keep pace for the playoffs.
Minnesota is scrappy, ball-hawking and well-coached. Oregon players and the Autzen crowd will have to do what they do best. Every crowd roar, every third-down stop, every turnover converted to Oregon points will matter.
3. vs. USC: Likely a must-win matchup.
The Trojans, Oregon’s old PAC-12 sparring partner, isn’t just an old rival. Whatever stakes remain for USC in the late weeks of the regular season will be boosted by aspirations to spoil Oregon’s season.
With any combination of wins and/or losses in early November, for Oregon to keep its postseason relevance, Nov. 22 most likely rolls in as a must-win against USC.
4. At UW: Always a one-game season.
Closing the regular season in Seattle against UW brings the weight of 30 bitter years in this rivalry, and adds Big Ten stakes.
For the 2025 Ducks, this Washington matchup has grown beyond bragging rights. It’s about finishing strong, with zero margin for moral victories.
Fan Guide: UO-Iowa
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Saturday, Nov. 8
1230pm Pacific | CBS
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Nov. 8: Oregon at Iowa, 330pm ET/230pm CT/1230pm Pacific | CBS
Keys to winning all four
Defensive toughness: Oregon will need relentless stopping power when Iowa and Minnesota grind, when USC rallies, and when UW tries to light up Husky Stadium.
Offensive consistency: No gimmicks or cutesy formation sequences like Oregon’s first-half series that brought up 3rd-and-14 against Wisconsin. Play from strength. Patient, but opportunistic.
Turnover margin: Big games are often decided by small mistakes. Protect the ball, take the ball away.
Mental toughness: Travel (Iowa, Washington), crowd noise, pressure, this stretch of schedule demands focus through fatigue and top-shelf discipline. Preparation demands as much sharpness mentally as physically in these final weeks of the regular season.
Autzen advantage: Duck Nation, you get two more chances this year to make that home-field advantage matter. Bring. The. Noise!
The bottom line
Don’t get it twisted: Already sitting on a conference loss, Oregon’s November stretch run will define the season.
Even running the November table, Oregon would still need help to get back to the Big Ten title game.
Likewise, there’s no margin for error in this month’s playoff conversation.
And for all the hopes pinned on this season, the path runs straight through these four games.
Let’s bring it home strong, Duck Nation.
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