CJ Verdell
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Clemson during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: A familiar top 10 looking to 2020

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 14, 2020 02:22 PM EST

Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) is sacked by Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Pac-12 Conference championship in Santa Clara, Calif., Friday, Dec. 6, 2018. Oregon won 37-15. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Oregon's Rose Bowl run powered by recruiting in Los Angeles

Dan Greenspan Dec. 29, 2019 03:38 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Washington's Nick Harris lines up during an NCAA college football game against Southern Cal, in Seattle. Harris was selected to The Associated Press All-Pac 12 Conference team, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Ducks' Cristobal takes AP Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors

By Anne. M. Peterson Dec. 12, 2019 01:54 PM EST

Oregon running back CJ Verdell (7) rushes for a touchdown past Utah defensive back Javelin Guidry (28) during the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Pac-12 Conference championship in Santa Clara, Calif., Friday, Dec. 6, 2018. Oregon won 37-15. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
No. 13 Oregon ends No. 5 Utah's playoff hopes with 37-15 win

By Josh Dubow Dec. 06, 2019 11:49 PM EST

Oregon State tight end Noah Togiai reacts after a touchdown is scored by running back Artavis Pierce, not seen, against the California in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Can anyone stop No. 7 Oregon at this point? Trojans up next

By Anne M. Peterson Oct. 31, 2019 04:31 PM EDT

Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert (10) hands-off to CJ Verdell against Washington in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Around the Pac-12: Verdell turns heads among Pac-12 RBs

By Anne M. Peterson Oct. 29, 2019 07:38 PM EDT

Kentucky quarterback Lynn Bowden Jr. (1) runs for a touchdown during the second half of NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
STAT WATCH: Toledo's Koback among 7 players to run for 200

By Eric Olson Oct. 28, 2019 03:01 AM EDT

Oregon's CJ Verdell, left, breaks a tackle by Washington State's Jahad Woods during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Lewis' FG gives No. 11 Oregon 37-35 win over Washington St

By Anne M. Peterson Oct. 27, 2019 02:44 AM EDT

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (10) greet each other after their NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State won 48-41. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas State deals blow to No. 5 Oklahoma's title hopes

By The Associated Press Oct. 26, 2019 05:01 PM EDT

Miami running back DeeJay Dallas (13) runs past Virginia linebacker Charles Snowden to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Perry, Dallas lead Miami to 17-9 win over No. 20 Virginia

By The Associated Press Oct. 12, 2019 01:44 AM EDT

Colorado's Jalen Sami, left, rushes Oregon's Justin Herbert during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Herbert has 2 TDs in No. 13 Oregon's 45-3 win over Colorado

By Anne M. Peterson Oct. 12, 2019 01:41 AM EDT

California Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs against California's Camryn Bynum during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct.. 5, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
No. 13 Oregon overcomes slow start to beat Cal 17-7

By Anne M. Peterson Oct. 05, 2019 11:36 PM EDT

Nevada head football coach Jay Norvell calls instructions from the sidelines during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Oregon Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Herbert throws 5 TDs and No. 16 Oregon routs Nevada 77-6

By Anne M. Peterson Sep. 07, 2019 11:10 PM EDT

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) celebrates with teammates after Auburn came from behind to defeat Oregon following an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. Auburn won 27-21. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Bo knows: Nix rallies No. 16 Auburn 27-21 over No. 11 Ducks

By Stephen Hawkins Aug. 31, 2019 11:38 PM EDT

FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 file photo ,Oregon running back C.J. Verdell, center, and Oregon State safety Jeffrey Manning Jr. (15) during an NCAA college football game in Corvallis, Ore. College football starts better than it ends. The sport has evolved through numerous postseason systems that have clumsily crowned champions, and while the College Football Playoff does a better job than its predecessors it has also spawned a month’s worth of tedious debate over the meaningfulness of bowl games. (AP Photo/Timothy J. Gonzalez, File)
No. 11 Oregon-No. 16 Auburn opener 9 years after title game

By Stephen Hawkins Aug. 30, 2019 03:33 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2018, file photo, Auburn offensive lineman Prince Tega Wanogho (76) watches from the sideline in the second half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game against Purdue, in Nashville, Tenn. Prince Tega Wanogho came to Alabama from Nigeria wanting to be the next LeBron James. He became Auburn’s left tackle instead. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
No. 11 Oregon-No. 16 Auburn 1st meeting since '11 title game

Aug. 29, 2019 04:28 PM EDT

FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 file photo ,Oregon running back C.J. Verdell, center, and Oregon State safety Jeffrey Manning Jr. (15) during an NCAA college football game in Corvallis, Ore. College football starts better than it ends. The sport has evolved through numerous postseason systems that have clumsily crowned champions, and while the College Football Playoff does a better job than its predecessors it has also spawned a month’s worth of tedious debate over the meaningfulness of bowl games. (AP Photo/Timothy J. Gonzalez, File)
Pac-12, Oregon have something to prove in marquee matchup

By Anne M. Peterson Aug. 28, 2019 07:48 PM EDT

File-This July 24, 2019, file photo shows Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal answering questions during the Pac-12 Conference NCAA college football Media Day in Los Angeles. Cristobal figures the Ducks will have 19 days of traditional fall camp before they start preparing for Auburn. Oregon’s opener, a rematch of sorts of the 2011 national championship game, is set for Aug. 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Auburn looms as Oregon opens fall camp

By Anne M. Peterson Aug. 02, 2019 07:16 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2018, file photo, Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke, right, celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the third quarter against Michigan in an NCAA college football game in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State plays Oregon in the Redbox Bowl on Monday. The time off before the bowl did a lot for Lewerke, who missed three games down the stretch with a shoulder injury. Coach Mark Dantonio said Lewerke's arm strength is back and he will start the bowl game. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Michigan St., Oregon look to salvage seasons with bowl win

By The Associated Press Dec. 30, 2018 03:20 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2018, file photo, Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert (10) avoids a tackle attempt from Washington State defensive lineman Taylor Comfort (56) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pullman, Wash. Herbert has thrown for 6,904 yards with 62 TDs and 17 interceptions in his career, with Oregon averaging 39.4 points per game in his 27 career starts. Oregon plays Michigan State in the Redbox Bowl on Monday. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
Herbert's return gives Oregon win before bowl game

By Josh Dubow Dec. 30, 2018 03:19 PM EST