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Illinois Football: Everything the Illini need to make the College Football Playoff

By Rees Woodcock

Sep 10, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. (88) and teammates celebrate Saturday’s 24-3 win over the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. (88) and teammates celebrate Saturday’s 24-3 win over the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Head coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks looks on from the sidelines against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Head coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks looks on from the sidelines against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

7. Oregon loses rivalry game

  • Loss at Oregon State on November 26
  • 2 losses – Eliminated

If you watched the first game of the season, you would have been shocked that Oregon is a contender to make the College Football Playoff. They got trounced by Georgia, 49-3.

But, since that game against the Bulldogs, Oregon has won every single contest. They are a good team and are ranked No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings. That is why Illinois needs the Ducks to lose in their rivalry game.

I don’t see Oregon losing to Colorado on the road or Washington at home. If they fall to No. 14 Utah at home, that would jumble things up for Illinois even more. So, we need Oregon to win their next three games.

The Ducks then take on a tough No. 23 Oregon State program on the road. This is a big rivalry game, and the only losses the Beavers have this season is to USC and Utah. Oregon State knows how to win football games.

Illinois is going to need Oregon State to defend their home turf and take down Oregon. This would give the Ducks two losses on the season. Oregon can then go and win the PAC 12 over USC, but I think the committee would take a one-loss Big Ten Champion in Illinois over a two-loss PAC 12 Champion in Oregon.

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