The Oregon Ducks' undefeated regular season came to a disappointing end in the CFP quarterfinals as they lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes. The early exit of all four conference champions sparked debate about the expanded playoff format's effectiveness.
The Oregon Ducks had a dominant regular season, clinching the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll for a remarkable 10 consecutive weeks. Entering the College Football Playoff (CFP) as the unanimous No. 1 team with 1,440 points and all 62 first-place votes, expectations were high. However, their Cinderella story took a sharp turn in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes .
The Ducks' first loss of the season, a 41-21 defeat, not only shattered their championship dreams but also marked a disappointing end to their journey. The four-team playoff format, implemented for the inaugural season, aimed to address concerns about fairness and inclusion. However, the early elimination of all four conference champions, including Oregon, ignited significant debate and criticism about the format's effectiveness. While the Ducks had a month-long rest period after winning the Big Ten Championship, it ultimately proved detrimental. Their challenging path to the national championship, facing tough opponents like Ohio State and a potential semifinal clash with a high-ranked Texas team, contrasted sharply with the easier route taken by Penn State. The Nittany Lions, despite losing the Big Ten Championship Game, navigated through a more favorable bracket, defeating SMU and Boise State before encountering Notre Dame in the semifinals. This outcome fueled speculation that the extended playoff format might inadvertently disadvantage dominant regular season teams like Oregon, who faced a steeper climb toward the championship. The Ducks' early exit raised questions about the format's fairness and whether the extended playoff truly achieved its intended goals.
Oregon Ducks College Football Playoff Ohio State Buckeyes CFP Format Dominant Season Early Exit
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