The Oregon Ducks are set to face the James Madison Dukes in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. This marks the second consecutive year the Ducks, under coach Dan Lanning, have secured a spot in the 12-team playoff. As the No. 5 seed, Oregon has managed to avoid the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs and No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes until a potential National Championship showdown.
However, the Ducks” journey is not without obstacles. Standing in their way is No. 4 Texas Tech, and should Oregon triumph over the Red Raiders, a rematch against No. 1 Indiana could await them. This playoff path offers ample opportunities for revenge, particularly against Indiana, who handed the Ducks their only loss this season. A potential semifinal matchup against Indiana at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl looms, along with possible encounters against Ohio State or Georgia, both of whom have previously defeated Oregon in critical matchups.
Oregon will play their first playoff game at Autzen Stadium, where they will host the Sun Belt champions, James Madison University. The Dukes concluded their season with a record of 12-1, including a narrow victory over Washington State. If the Ducks can overcome JMU, their subsequent matchup against Texas Tech will take place in the Capital One Orange Bowl on New Year”s Day in Miami, Florida. Oregon will enjoy an 11-day break between games, compared to Texas Tech”s lengthy 26-day layoff, which raises the age-old debate of whether rest or rust will be more beneficial.
The Ducks” previous experience from last season”s playoff may serve them well, as they aim for back-to-back victories to advance to the semifinals. If successful, they could find themselves competing against either No. 1 Indiana, No. 8 Oklahoma, or No. 9 Alabama in January.
Should the Ducks reach the National Championship, it would be only the third time in the program”s history they would compete for the title. Their most likely opponents would be either No. 2 Ohio State or No. 3 Georgia, assuming no major upsets occur in earlier rounds. Coach Dan Lanning has faced Georgia once without a win and has a split record of 1-1 against the Buckeyes.
As they prepare for the playoffs, the Ducks are also managing injuries, particularly among their wide receivers. Evan Stewart has been sidelined since the start of the season, while Dakorien Moore has missed recent games due to a non-contact injury. The return of both players could significantly enhance Oregon”s offensive capabilities.
With a favorable path ahead, the Ducks are poised to make a strong statement as they aim for their first national championship, starting with their matchup against James Madison. This game will also mark the final contest at Autzen Stadium for 2025.
