Jim Alexander: I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that Saturday’s USC-Oregon game in Eugene is the most important of the season for both sides, by far. Oregon is No. 7 in the latest College Football Playoff jockeying for position, USC is No. 15, and there’s a good chance the winner moves into the top 12 and the loser falls out of it. And if it’s the Trojans who lose, they’re done regardless of what happens the following week against UCLA. (Oregon gets Washington next week in Seattle.)

And I guess for these teams – and a lot of others going into the final weeks who are maybe/kinda/sorta on the bubble – the overall expectations have changed dramatically from what they used to be. And Mirjam, I’m interested in your take on this: If your team, whoever it is, doesn’t make the playoff field,

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