When Oregon lost its opener to LSU, conventional wisdom declared that it was an elimination game for the Ducks. After all, in the 13-year history of the BCS championship, all four teams that have won the title with at least one loss have been from the SEC. But there are plenty of scenarios that would clear the path for Oregon (3-1), now ranked No. 9, to reach the title game for a second straight year, provided that the Ducks win Thursday night against visiting California (3-1).
The often repeated truism is that the key for any team to make the title game with a defeat is to lose early. But that’s more myth than reality. BCS runner-up Nebraska lost in the regular-season finale in 2001 and still made it to the title game. BCS runner-up Oklahoma lost in the Big 12 championship game in 2003 and still advanced.
Recommended Stories
So for Oregon, the real key is to keep winning. The Ducks have to hope the other conference champions lose at least once and that 2011 doesn’t play out like 2004, when there were an overabundance of undefeated teams, including Auburn, which didn’t make the title game despite a perfect record.
– Kevin Dunleavy
