Everything's Just "Ducky" at Oregon

Fresh off its 60-13 win over UCLA last Thursday night, Oregon remained the top team in the new Associated Press Top 25 poll released Sunday.

Meanwhile, Auburn moved up two spots to No. 3 after its win over LSU Saturday. Boise State remained at No. 2 after having this past weekend off. Auburn does hold a slight lead in the BCS standings but that can and will change on a weekly basis.

The big move in the poll came from Missouri, which jumped 11 spots to No. 7 after the Tigers knocked off Oklahoma in Columbia.

Oregon received 44 first-place votes, Boise State had 11.

How the BCS sees the Ducks could be another story. The six BCS computers haven't been very impressed with the quality of Oregon's competition through the first seven games of the season. The Ducks' computer ranking -- which is one-third of the formula the BCS uses to determine its standings -- stood at eighth last week.

Pounding a weak UCLA team probably isn't going to impress the computers. The Bruins have lost four Pacific-10 Conference games, three by four touchdowns or more. Their one marquee win, a 34-12 victory at Texas, looks a little less impressive every week Iowa State beat those same Longhorns on Saturday.

Auburn, which knocked off previously unbeaten LSU, is going to be a factor. Auburn does have difficult games with Georgia and Alabama remaining as well as a possible SEC Championship game.

Oregon's strength of schedule picks up as the second half of the season continues. If the Ducks keep winning, they should be sitting pretty.

The next five games will be a mixed bag. Beginning with Saturday against USC in the Los Angeles Coliseum. Arizona and Cal both signaled they are going to be tough hurdles with one-sided victories yesterday, and winning at Oregon State in the Civil War won't be easy.

I like Oregon's chances and the way they go about their business.