Each of the 12 teams will give maximum effort to push for a national title, but what if it all goes wrong?

There should be no difference in the desire to win the national championship among the 12 teams competing in the College Football Playoff. Everyone’s motivation should go to Spinal Tap 11. Expect everyone to give maximum effort.

But there are differences in who needs a championship more. So let’s rank all 12 teams in order of who needs a natty most when this fascinating tournament begins Friday night—and what every team’s worst-case scenario would be:

There should be no difference in the desire to win the national championship among the 12 teams competing in the College Football Playoff. Everyone’s motivation should go to Spinal Tap 11. Expect everyone to give maximum effort.

But there are differences in who needs a championship more. So let’s rank all 12 teams in order of who needs a natty most when this fascinating tournament begins Friday night—and what every team’s worst-case scenario would be:

1. Oregon Ducks

Last national title: Never. They’ve been close several times. There was a last-second loss to the Auburn Tigers in the 2011 BCS championship game; a loss to Ohio State in the first playoff championship game in ’14; the ’12 team that lost one game by three points in overtime and finished the season ranked No. 2; and don’t forget about star quarterback Dennis Dixon getting hurt in mid-November ’07 when the Ducks were part of the curse of No. 2 streak.

At this point, the program has everything but the hardware. Phil Knight & Co. have provided all necessities in terms of player payroll and facilities. They have deep recruiting ties in California and an expanded reach across the nation. They have one of the next great young coaches in Dan Lanning.

And more to the 2024 point, they have had the best season of anyone in the playoff. They’re the last unbeaten, the most consistent, the least flawed of any team. They are a well-rounded unit, adept at passing and running and stopping both, with solid (occasionally spectacular) special teams. They have the best and most experienced quarterback in the field in Dillon Gabriel, who holds FBS career records for most games started and most total touchdowns.

Now more than ever, it’s there for the taking for the Ducks. Can they finish the quest?

Worst-case scenario: A Rose Bowl quarterfinal loss to Tennessee in which Lanning goes for it on fourth down four times and converts zero. Then fellow Pac-12 evacuee Arizona State goes on to win an improbable title.

And more to the 2024 point, they have had the best season of anyone in the playoff. They’re the last unbeaten, the most consistent, the least flawed of any team. They are a well-rounded unit, adept at passing and running and stopping both, with solid (occasionally spectacular) special teams. They have the best and most experienced quarterback in the field in Dillon Gabriel, who holds FBS career records for most games started and most total touchdowns.

Now more than ever, it’s there for the taking for the Ducks. Can they finish the quest?

Worst-case scenario: A Rose Bowl quarterfinal loss to Tennessee in which Lanning goes for it on fourth down four times and converts zero. Then fellow Pac-12 evacuee Arizona State goes on to win an improbable title.