These two teams have never played in football, and they also shared no common opponents in the regular season. We have a blank slate for the fourth and final College Football Playoff first round matchup. Here are storylines you need to know heading into Saturday’s night game:
🦆 Oregon (11-1)
The Ducks finished at No. 5 in the final CFP poll, one spot out from a first round bye. But Oregon still had an impressive regular season, with its lone loss to the hands of eventual No. 1 Indiana in Week 7. Dan Lanning’s squad had some close calls along the way, edging out then-No. 3 Penn State in double overtime in Week 5 and squeezing past Iowa by two points in Week 11. However, every other win was by at least two scores.
Oregon is led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Dante Moore, who threw for 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions this season. The Ducks have one of the best receiving corps in the country; however, the core of the room has been banged up most of the season. Dakorien Moore missed the last four games of the season with a knee injury, and one of the biggest receiver transfers of the offseason, Evan Stewart, has missed all season. Both are listed as questionable heading into Saturday’s game, but each was seen on the practice field on Monday. If the Ducks can return those two playmakers to the lineup ahead of the playoff, it makes an already scary offense just that much more intimidating.
But the rock of the receiving room this season and potential X-factor is tight end Kenton Sadiq. He leads the team with eight touchdowns, and he is a matchup nightmare in the red zone. James Madison will have its hands full with the All-American tight end regardless of whether the receiving room is back and healthy.
The Ducks aren’t afraid to beat you on the ground, either, averaging over 218 rushing yards per game, good for 14th in the country. It is a dynamic offense that takes what you give them. The Dukes will need their A-game and more to try and slow down this offense on Saturday.
🟣⚪️ James Madison (11-1)
The Dukes received the final 2025 CFP spot after mowing down the Sun Belt conference. JMU is averaging almost 450 yards per game, 245 of which are on the ground to rank fifth in the country. Running back Wayne Knight is 10th in the nation in yards (1,263) and seventh in yards per carry (6.65). He is the backbone of this team, as he’s also third in receiving yards with 379.
But the Dukes have not seen a defense the same caliber as Oregon this season, with the Ducks allowing fewer than 15 points per game. In fact, James Madison played only one Power Four opponent all year in a 28-14 loss to Louisville in Week 2. The Dukes did roll through their schedule, playing in only two one-score games all season against Georgia State and Washington State.
Senior quarterback Alonza Barnett III is a proven playmaker, throwing for 21 touchdowns and adding 14 more on the ground. He will likely need a near-perfect outing in Autzen to keep this game competitive. It’s not impossible, but if the Dukes do manage to leave Eugene with a win, it will be the biggest upset in College Football Playoff history.
