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Oregon's chances of making a third straight College Football Playoff appear slim, but the Ducks could still catch the selection committee's attention by winning their final six games. A road win at Ohio State would be especially impressive. However, head coach Dan Lanning's team must take it one game at a time, starting with Saturday's trip to Illinois.
The Ducks are severely short-handed at wide receiver. Messiah Hampton and Jalen Lott will both be unavailable in Champaign, joining fellow pass-catchers Evan Stewart and Jeremiah McClellan on the sideline, according to On3's Pete Nakos. With Dante Moore out, Dylan Raiola is set to make another start at quarterback, but he could face a difficult afternoon against the Fighting Illini.
Stewart, a Memphis, Tennessee native, leads the team with 27 receptions, 352 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in just five games. He was arrested last weekend and charged with driving with a suspended license, and Springfield prosecutors are awaiting evidence to decide whether to charge him with driving under the influence of intoxicants. Hampton has 18 catches for 161 yards and two scores in six games, while McClellan, a deep threat, has seven receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown. Lott has seen limited action but remains another option Raiola could have used.
Key Analysis
Oregon offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer will need to get creative to compensate for the injuries. Illinois could help, as the Fighting Illini are allowing 27.8 points and 375.2 yards per game, ranking in the bottom four of the Big Ten in both categories. Still, it's tough for a backup quarterback to overcome a thin receiving corps. Raiola must remind everyone why he was a five-star recruit and show he can lead the team to victory when needed. The Ducks may be limping into Gies Memorial Stadium, but they intend to leave with another conference win.
Originally reported by yahoo.