The Oregon Ducks just opened the door for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Yes, Alabama is ranked higher than Oregon in the current standings (No. 5 vs. No. 6); however, a one-loss Oregon Pac-12 Champion would have likely jumped No. 5 Alabama in the College Football Playoff (assuming other things fell into place like LSU beating Georgia in the SEC Championship Game). But that’s not going to happen this year.

On Saturday night, the Arizona State Sun Devils upset Oregon 31-28, and that ends the Ducks’ Playoff hopes — and further hampers the Pac-12’s hopes. too.

The Ducks have an interesting connection to the state of Alabama this season.

In the first game of the year, Auburn beat the Ducks on a last-second touchdown pass by freshman quarterback Bo Nix. Now, with its loss to ASU, Alabama becomes the biggest beneficiary in the Playoff chase.

Of course, one-loss Utah is still a problem for the Crimson Tide and a big contender for the No. 4 spot, but the Utes will have to win three more games, including a Pac-12 Championship Game in order to put themselves into a discussion for the final spot in the final Playoff poll.

For now, though, Alabama can celebrate Oregon’s loss, but it’s going to be interesting to see how things shake out over the next two weeks.

Alabama still has to beat Auburn Saturday in the Iron Bowl, and that’s not going to be easy.