It’s hard to imagine a bigger game at Autzen Stadium this season than when No. 2 Ohio State comes to town to play No. 3 Oregon on Oct. 12. That’s assuming those rankings hold in a month into the season.
But according to CBS Sports writer Jerry Palm, an even bigger matchup is projected for Autzen.
Palm has projected the Ducks will be seeded No. 6 in the expanded playoff format and will host 11-seed Kansas State with the winner playing No. 3 Utah in the quarterfinals at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
Oregon last played the Wildcats in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl. It’s the only time the two teams have met. That game was highlighted with De’Anthony Thomas returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown and it was all downhill for K-State.
If this prediction comes true, it would be interesting to see the turnout for the Peach Bowl, which would host two teams not in the SEC in the heart of SEC country.
Oregon is no stranger to facing the Utes as Utah turned into somewhat of a rival for the Ducks during their time in the Pac-12. The two teams have clashed and had some classic games, including last season when the Ducks marched into Salt Lake City and crushed then No. 13 Utah 35-6.
But the Utes are favored to in their new conference, the Big XII and with quarterback Cameron Rising returning from injury, Utah would be a formidable foe in what would be one of the better quarterfinal matchups.
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