What Number Five in the Country Means

Nothing and everything.

On one hand, any question about rankings will get the Chip Kelly stare. He’s a process guy, and rejects all such thoughts. On Sunday he told Rob Moseley and the other writers:

“We don’t focus on our opponent — we didn’t focus on New Mexico, we didn’t focus on Tennessee, and we won’t focus on Portland State. We coach a vision, we prepare for a vision, and we compete against a vision.”

The Ducks don’t care about rankings, don’t think about rankings, and don’t let rankings influence their preparation or their goals. The Coach has repeatedly said he doesn’t give a thought to any of that, saying on December 4th we’ll look up and see where we are.

That’s fine, but we’re fans, and we don’t have to be that disciplined.

Consider these games in week 4: #1 Alabama at #12 Arkansas, #25 Oregon State at #3 Boise State. Or Week 5: No. 10 Florida and #1 Alabama, #6 Texas at #7 Oklahoma. TCU doesn’t have that many challenges on their schedule, but they do face #14 Utah in Utah on November 6th. Ohio State has to travel to #11 Wisconsin in October and #9 Iowa in November.

Say it proud but not too loud: Oregon is a couple of hiccups and a Hail Mary from number one or two in the country.

Of course the Ducks face challenges of their own. Arizona, Cal, and Stanford have all looked good early, and the James Madisons of the world are always looking to make a name for themselves by slaying a giant. Arizona State and UCLA are potential James Madisons. They lurk around the corner on every Saturday.

The bottom line is, the Ducks control their own destiny. If they keep winning, they can reach Glendale. Number five this early means they’re in a position to compete for the big prize. They’ve never been ranked this high this early. They no longer have an uphill battle to get the pollsters’ attention.

They are now in the position that USC, Alabama, and Texas have enjoyed for so many years.

Number five means they can have a stumble and still compete for a BCS bowl.

That’s heady stuff.

College football is a 14-week pennant race, with scoreboard watching from opening day.