Athlon sports published its 12 team playoff predictions in its latest publication. The predictions set up some intriguing matchups all around but some very peculiar ones for the Ducks in particular.
You can buy the Athlon Sports magazine here.
But let’s get into the predictions with an emphasis on Oregon’s path to the Semifinals.
First Round Playoffs
No. 8 Bama vs No. 9 Michigan
No. 5 Oregon vs No. 12 Liberty
Another rematch where Oregon handled Liberty in on the New Year’s Six stage last season. This time, Liberty would have to go out to Eugene for an even harder atmosphere.
Dan Lanning has one of the best teams in the country going into 2024 and the new Big Ten school should be on the title list. They’d be heavily favored in this scenario.
No. 6 Texas vs No. 11 Notre Dame
No. 7 Ole Miss vs No. 10 Penn State
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Georgia vs No. 8 Bama (Sugar Bowl)
No. 4 Utah vs No. 5 Oregon (Fiesta Bowl)
A former Pac-12 showdown will be on display between Big 12 and Big Ten teams here. But going out west for this one would be so great.
Sure, Utah is the projected Big 12 winner, but Oregon is just slightly better according to Athlon. The seedings don’t reflect that, but we get our first “upset.”
No. 3 FSU vs No. 6 Texas (Peach bowl)
No. 2 Ohio State vs No. 7 Ole Miss (Rose bowl)
Playoff Semifinals
No. 1 Georgia vs No. 5 Oregon (Orange bowl)
The Ducks can bring it against the two-time champs, but Smart and the Bulldogs are the ones to come out on top here. Going down to South Florida is quite the trip for Oregon just mileage wise.
Not to say Oregon can’t overcome the travel discrepancy, but it’s just one small advantage Georgia will have here. This game could be an absolute dog fight.
No. 2 Ohio State vs No. 6 Texas (Cotton Bowl)
National Championship
No. 1 Georgia vs No. 2 Ohio State
A rematch for the ages. Remember just a couple of years ago, Ohio State came within a missed field goal of beating Georgia?
Well, Day and the Buckeyes will continue to be haunted by that semifinal game and this one as Smart and the Bulldogs win it all. Athlon has UGA winning its third title in four years.
Will these predictions be exact? Probably not. But the 12-team playoff predictions give us a great glimpse as to what the season could hold.
Predicted Champions: Georgia
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