When the Oregon Ducks came in at No. 16 in the College Football Playoff rankings this week, the possibility of earning an at-large bid to the 12-team field appeared to be on the table. While the three losses that the Ducks have on their resume isn't ideal, they've played like a playoff team the two previous weeks. That needed to continue in the final three regular season games for the Playoff Committee to even be able to consider placing Oregon in the CFP.
Game one of three, coming against the Michigan Wolverines, check.
Oregon looked about as impressive as they could've hoped on Saturday, putting the locks on Michigan's offense in allowing just a single touchdown in the 31-7 convincing win. The 31 points (four touchdowns, one field goal) was
the most that the Wolverines have allowed all season long — by a whopping ten points. At times, the Ducks looked like a far more physical team than the Wolverines, widely-regarded for their physicality and toughness.
If the Playoff Committee isn't impressed with a win in which nearly every positon group for the Ducks excelled, I'm not sure what else they could do. Let's get into this week's report card, where it's difficult to find much criticism and easy to find a lot of praise after the 23-point victory.
Quarterbacks
Grade: A
There was only one definite throw that Dylan Raiola made in which he put the ball in serious harms way. But other than that, Raiola was nails and put forth his best performance as the Ducks' starter this season. He was precise and on fire from the very beginning, finishing the first quarter going 8-for-8 for 133 yards and two touchdowns, one being a 60-yard moon ball to Jeremiah McClellan. The next drive, he floated a pass to Evan Stewart for another big gain. Raiola has been on the field a lot in 2026, and this was the best version.
Running Backs
Grade: A-
With Jordon Davison still out injured, it was up to Dierre Hill Jr. to take a bulk of the carries out of the backfield. In toting the rock 21 times, Hill churned out 98 yards including a long of 36 yards. Each of Hill's best skills were on display, as he was dynamic with the football on each touch. He caught a swing pass in the fourth quarter and weaved his way for a 49-yard touchdown, putting the Wolverines out of their misery. True freshman Brandon Smith also recorded 29 rushing yards on seven carries while Da'Jaun Riggs caught a short touchdown out of the backfield.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Grade: A-
The headliner of this unit was Jeremiah McClellan, who surpassed 100 receiving yards in his second game back from a broken foot. His 60-yard touchdown on the opening drive affirmed that he was back to full strength, as he ran past multiple Wolverines despite being held. Dakorien Moore was his usual reliable self, catching seven passes for 88 yards and a score — though he did drop a would-be touchdown in the end zone, leading to the A- grade.
Offensive Line
Grade: B+
This is what it should look like between a strong offensive line and a dominant defensive line that Michigan brought to the table. The Wolverines are one of the best in the country in stopping the run, and while Oregon busted open some holes, they finished with 3.5 yards per carry. The Wolverines sacked Raiola twice, but the Ducks' passer also had plenty of time to throw on numerous drop-backs. There was going to be a back-and-forth aspect to the trenches battle, and the Ducks were up to the challenge with impressive physicality all day long.
Defensive Line
Grade: A
Coming in, it was apparent that the Wolverines wouldn't have much success through the air and would have to pound the rock repeatedly to try to move the ball. And considering they ended up with just seven points, job well done for the Ducks' defensive line. On the day, Michigan averaged 5.4 yards per carry. But take away Savion Hiter's 70-yard touchdown run, and that mark comes down to 3.7 yards per carry. Combine that with two sacks from Matayo Uiagalelei and one from Nasir Wyatt, plus a forced fumble from Bear Alexander, and it was an exemplary performance for the Ducks defensive line.
Linebackers
Grade: A-
Missing Jerry Mixon, who tweaked something in pregame warmups according to Dan Lanning, the Oregon linebackers stepped up to the plate needing a physical effort and delivered. Dylan Williams had arguably the best game of his career, leading the team with 11 tackles while Devon Jackson showcased his elite speed on the edge several times in recording seven tackles. Without Mixon, Gavin Nix stepped in and totaled four tackles as well. Williams' forced fumble was simply a cherry on top late in the game.
Secondary
Grade: B-
The Wolverines only passed for 71 total yards on 6-of-20 passing for no touchdowns, so it should be considered a great day for the Oregon secondary, though it came against an inept Wolverines passing attack. But that's simply not the case from a tackling perspective, as safety Koi Perich took an atrocious angle on Hiter's 70-yard touchdown and Peyton Woodyard got his hands on Hiter but couldn't manage to bring him to the ground. Though there was a hole that Hiter ran through, that long touchdown was all on the safeties for their poor angles. Against an offense that bad, that's the difference between an A grade and a B- grade.
Special Teams
Grade: B-
The coverage units were strong, as was the performance of Bailey Ettridge who punted five times and averaged 41.4 yards per boot and downed two punts inside the 20-yard line. Kicker Gage Hurych was a different story, as he missed from 46 yards out — short. Not wide right or wide left. Nope, short. The kick getting tipped aside, a college kicker missing short from that range is unacceptable and it's hard to see the Ducks relying on Hurych anywhere past 40 yards at this point. Dakorien Moore also returned his lone live punt return for negative six yards, running sideways and backwards. It wasn't necessarily a banner day for Oregon's special teams units.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Week 11 Report Card: Exemplary grades for Oregon after Michigan win
