The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are locked in, and this year’s slate brings a fresh twist to the traditional New Year’s bowl games. Eight teams are in the hunt for the national title, with matchups set across some of the sport’s most iconic stages.
Among the contenders: Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas Tech, Oregon, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Miami. The action kicks off December 31 with the Cotton Bowl, where defending champion Ohio State squares off against Miami in a primetime showdown (7:30 p.m.
ET, ESPN).
But while the Buckeyes and Crimson Tide may draw the headlines, there’s another matchup that’s quietly generating serious buzz-Texas Tech vs. Oregon in the Orange Bowl.
It’s not just about the seeds or the stats. This one’s about momentum, investment, and two programs that have been building toward this moment for years.
ESPN's Paul Finebaum summed it up well when he called it a battle of “new money vs. newer money." Oregon, backed by its longstanding Nike connection, has been a national player for over a decade. Texas Tech, meanwhile, has surged into the spotlight more recently, riding a wave of renewed commitment and resources into a Big 12 title and a No. 4 seed in the 12-team CFP format.
And make no mistake-this isn’t just a flashy matchup on paper. These are two high-level football teams with legitimate title aspirations.
Oregon punched its ticket to the Orange Bowl with a statement win over James Madison, dropping 51 points in a 51-34 shootout. The Ducks’ offense looked every bit as explosive as advertised, and their ability to finish drives in the red zone was a difference-maker.
Texas Tech, on the other hand, earned its spot the hard way-grinding through the Big 12 and coming out on top. Their physicality, depth, and ability to win close games down the stretch have made them one of the more battle-tested teams in the field. There’s a toughness to this group that shouldn’t be overlooked.
So while the spotlight often shines brightest on the bluebloods, don’t sleep on this Orange Bowl clash. It’s a collision of two rising powers, each with something to prove and the firepower to make a serious run.
Oregon’s speed and offensive creativity against Texas Tech’s grit and balance? That’s a matchup worth circling on your calendar.
The College Football Playoff is expanding, and with it comes new storylines, new rivalries, and new opportunities. Texas Tech vs. Oregon might not have the decades-long history of some of the other bowl games, but it’s got all the ingredients of a classic in the making.