A view of the Ducks from the Big 12/SEC

Special Guest Post by Jeremy “JMatt” Hicks, Livefyre Community Manager and longtime Texas A&M fan

So this past Friday, I was making my usual rounds of some of my favorite college football blogs, and I came across this post by my main man Dale Newton: “Can the Ducks push their way back into the BCS race?” Of course, my immediate thought was, “um, yes, no doubt,” because honestly and with all due respect ladies and gentlemen, outside of Oregon and Stanford (more on them later), the PAC-12 overall isn’t striking fear in the hearts of many. So Dale responded to me, I responded back, and here’s how that exchange went:

[photo at right: The high-flying #8 Aggies host #7 Oklahoma State on Saturday, a game that has big BCS and ranking implications for the Ducks. gossipz.net photo]

Here’s what Dale said:

You’re absolutely right–that one early loss against a highly-ranked won’t hurt the Ducks provided they continue to improve and take care of their business in conference. Road games at Arizona, Washington and Stanford are three of the biggest challenges. If they win out, they’re going to the Rose Bowl at minimum, but it’s a long road to get there.

It’s shaping up to be a great season in college football, and at 1-0 and #9 in the country, the Aggies are right in the thick of it.

Is the Texas A&M to the SEC talk a distraction at all for the team? I wouldn’t expect it to be, except for all the media attention to it.

And here’s my response, with a bit of meat added to it:

That’s the thing with the Ducks: they lost to a team that 110 out of 119 teams in college football would for sure lose to. And their remaining schedule is not very intimidating:

Missouri State – ROFL (and yes, the Ducks beat the brakes off of Mo. State this past Saturday)

at Arizona – Win. I watched most of that Arizona at Oklahoma State game. Arizona is not a very good football team. Their defense is suspect at best and though they have a solid quarterback, their offense doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with Oregon. Ducks win by 17+.

Cal – Win. They haven’t looked overly impressive, but they’ve showed some grit and have put up a ton of points this season. But still, they have to head into Autzen for a Thursday night game in front of a national audience. Something about Autzen at night…I don’t see the cubbies keeping up in this one. Ducks pull away in the 4th and win by 10+.

AZ State – Tough game, but a win. Again, I don’t think AZ State wins this game, but I don’t think the Ducks blow them out either. They’re coming into Autzen so that’s already against them, but I see AZ State really putting up a fight. Ducks win in a relatively low scoring game, 24-17.

at Colorado – Win. You’re playing in Boulder, which can be a tough place to play at times if for nothing more than the altitude. Even with that, the Ducks win comfortably.

Wash. St. – Win. The will come to Autzen and they will then lose in Autzen. Not sure what else I would need say here…?

at Washington – Win…but: TRAP. GAME. Watch this one, Duck fans. I still think the Ducks win, but if there’s one game on this schedule the Ducks should win but end up dropping, it’s this one. Road game, late in the season, looking forward to Top-5 Stanford on the road next week…I’m buying a Duck win, but I don’t think it will be an easy one!

at Stanford – Tough game, but you’ll beat (in my opinion) an overrated Stanford team. Stanford is a solid football team, but playing in the PAC-12 and beating up on San Jose State, Duke, and Arizona hasn’t impressed me thus far. Their only real challenge for Stanford before the Ducks roll into Palo Alto comes in the form of a lack-luster USC team. Ducks get a big win on the road.

USC – Another win at home for the Ducks. Color me not impressed with USC thus far. Things may change as the season progresses, but another big win for the Ducks that should solidify their standing for a BCS bowl bid. I’m not saying the Trojans don’t make it interesting, but I’m not willing to pick them over the Ducks as of now either.

Oregon St. – ROFL. They are TERRIBLE. Rivalry game or not, the Ducks roll by 3 TD’s. Welcome to the BCS, yet again, Duck fans!

Oh, and who’s to fear in the PAC-12 Championship? Some say AZ St., but again, I just don’t see that upset happening.

As for my Ags, I’m not saying much in terms of our BCS chances until after our Okie Lite game on Saturday. We just beat the breaks off of Idaho (as we should have…and if it wasn’t for two stupid turnovers we’d have hung 50+ on them), but this weekend will tell the tale of how our season goes. Honestly, I think we’re a better team that Okie Lite. I think we’re better coached, just as (if not more) experienced, and I’d even venture to say we’re just as talented everywhere on the field. But we shall see, that’s why they play the games.

And I don’t think the SEC talk has been a distraction at all. Coach Sherman has kept his boys very focused and very grounded. If anything, the SEC talk has made this team even more focused as they want to prove to the nation they can compete and even excel in college football’s most competitive conference.