ESPN’s Heather Dinich believes Oregon needs to run the table in order to reach the College Football Playoff. But if the question is which one-loss teams are best positioned to make a run to the CFP, Dinich believes the Ducks are one of the top teams in the country.

Oregon already holds a loss this season. One loss, however, is not enough to disqualify a team from CFP consideration. Two losses are different, but only 14 of the 36 teams selected to the CFP in its existence have entered the postseason unbeaten.

Dinich ranked the one-loss teams atop college football by the likelihood they can reach the CFP. Oregon checked in at No. 2 behind only Texas. Here’s what she wrote about why Oregon was slotted where it was:

Because the committee showed the scenario was possible last year with USC, and Oregon is in position to follow that blueprint — with a different end result. In 2022, the Trojans lost their regular-season game to Utah and were still the selection committee’s No. 4 team before the Trojans lost to Utah for a second time in the Pac-12 title game. There is a strong possibility Oregon runs the table and earns a rematch with Washington in the conference title game. Oregon avoided what could have been a trap game against Washington State on Saturday, has a Heisman contender at quarterback in Bo Nix and a defense that stifled Colorado and most others along the way. The Ducks’ path, though, is more difficult than that of Texas. Oregon travels to Utah on Saturday and still faces USC and Oregon State, which should also be top-25 opponents. If they survive that lineup, it will be hard for the committee to exclude the Ducks.

Oregon lost a Week 7 game to Washington 36-33 in what was the Ducks’ first stumble of the year. A three-point road loss to a top-five team isn’t exactly a stain on a résumé, though, and Oregon looks to be in a class with UW alone atop the Pac-12 at the moment.

Most expect Oregon to meet UW in the Pac-12 title game for a rematch.

The Ducks beat Washington State last weekend, 38-24, and will look to keep things rolling on the road in Salt Lake City this weekend. Oregon can take another step toward the Pac-12 title game by beating the reigning Pac-12 champs.

Kickoff against the Utes is set for 12:30 p.m. PT on FOX.