And both teams arrive in South Florida with balance and strength across the board.
The Red Raiders and Ducks both rank in the top 11 nationally for scoring offense and defense, as well as total offense and defense.
Both teams are also about as explosive on offense as you can get.
I preview the matchup between Oregon and Texas Tech here and give my picks straight-up, against the spread, and over/under.
No. 5 Oregon Ducks vs No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Thursday, January 1st
9:00 AM PT, ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Joe Tessitore, Jesse Palmer, Katie George, and Stormy Buonantony
Line: Oregon -2.5
Over/Under: 52.5
Limiting the explosives on both sides of the ball will certainly be something to watch for. Both teams have allowed 33 scrimmage plays of 20+ yards, tied for the second fewest in the nation.
The big plays will be huge momentum creators in this one, and the team that can create more big plays will gain a huge advantage.
Texas Tech has a disruptive front seven that will look to make things difficult for Oregon quarterback Dante Moore.
That front seven is anchored by All-Americans Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey. Rodriguez, the Bednarik and Nagurski winner, is the heart and soul of a defense that led the nation with 31 takeaways in 2025.
TTU’s defense will look to create the same pressure and issues the Ducks saw against Indiana. But I think this Oregon offense is better today than it was during the first week of October.
I also am not sure the Red Raiders will be able to bring the pressure with just a four-man rush up front. Tech may have to bring heat from the middle, and that could open up some areas for the Ducks to attack in the passing game.
But Moore will need time to operate. Winning the line of scrimmage will dictate much of the pace of this game.
If Oregon’s offensive line can consistently win the trench war, the Ducks stay balanced; if Tech’s front overwhelms, it can force turnovers or short drives.
The play of the lines on the other side of the ball will also dictate who controls things in the Orange Bowl.
The Red Raiders are just the fifth team since 1936 to record 12 wins by at least 20 points in a season. Tech has been extremely balanced on offense, but it will start with Cameron Dickey finding room to run.
Tech will need to establish the run in order to keep the pressure off of Behren Morton.
The starting QB missed the lone loss this season against Arizona State and in that game the Sun Devils did a good job of taking away the run game and making the Raiders try and beat them with the pass alone.
Obviously, Morton will not be rattled quite like ASU was able to rattle freshman Will Hammond in that one.
The Ducks will need to take the run game away without giving up things in the back end. If Tech gets behind them, they will create explosive plays.
I think the Ducks are the more balanced team and more battle-tested as well.
This contest could hinge on a turnover or key stop late and I think Oregon’s defense is the team to make it.
The Playoff game stays close, but Oregon advances to the semifinals.
Outright Winner: Oregon
Against The Spread: Oregon
Total: Under
