No. 5 Oregon is down but not out

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Oregon still has a chance, however slight, to be in the mix for the national championship game. They're just going to need some help.

OK, a lot of help.

First, the No. 5 Ducks have to beat rival Oregon State in the Civil War next Saturday. That's a challenge, because the game is in Corvallis, where the Beavers are known for big upsets. And Oregon State is no slouch this season with only two losses.

Then, they'd be helped if UCLA beat Stanford next week in Los Angeles. The Cardinal knocked the Ducks off the top of the AP rankings with a 17-14 overtime victory Saturday night.

But most of all the Ducks need Notre Dame to lose to USC next weekend. But the Fighting Irish are undefeated and the status of Trojan quarterback Matt Barkley is uncertain after taking a hard hit in a loss to the Bruins.