Can Alonza Barnett III Spark a James Madison Upset Against Oregon?
When James Madison takes the field against Oregon in Saturday’s College Football Playoff matchup, all eyes will be on quarterback Alonza Barnett III - and for good reason. The Sun Belt Player of the Year has been the engine behind the Dukes’ 12-1 season, and if they’re going to hang with the fifth-ranked Ducks, Barnett will need to deliver the kind of performance that put him on the national radar in the first place.
Barnett’s numbers tell part of the story: nearly 2,600 passing yards, 21 touchdowns through the air, eight interceptions, and another 14 scores on the ground. He’s completing just under 60% of his passes, and while that figure doesn’t scream efficiency, his dual-threat ability makes him a matchup problem for any defense - even one as stout as Oregon’s.
“He can move with his legs, but what he doesn’t get enough credit for is his ability to connect on deep balls downfield,” said Oregon head coach Dan Lanning. “They’ve got a great play-action game. They hit post routes, they attack vertically - it’s not just dink and dunk.”
That vertical passing game could be key, especially against an Oregon defense that’s been one of the best in the nation at limiting opposing quarterbacks. The Ducks have allowed over 200 passing yards just twice all season, and only two quarterbacks - Jayden Maiava from USC and Drew Allar from Penn State - have thrown multiple touchdowns against them. Oregon’s secondary doesn’t just cover - it disrupts.
Still, Barnett brings a different kind of challenge. He’s not just a passer who can scramble - he’s a legitimate runner, clocked at 21.5 mph, according to Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi. That kind of speed at the quarterback position forces defenses to stay honest, especially in the red zone and on third down.
“He’s able to move the pocket, throw on the run, and hit guys deep,” said Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. “They’ve got some receivers who can stretch the field.”
The Ducks have seen a few quarterbacks this year with similar mobility - most notably Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and Washington’s Demond Williams Jr. - but Barnett’s combination of speed and arm talent makes him a unique test. He’s had three career 300-yard passing games and three games with six total touchdowns. Against Texas State, he threw for four scores; against Old Dominion - one of the better pass defenses he's faced - he ran for four.
But Barnett enters this game with something to prove. His most recent outing, in the Sun Belt title game against Troy, was one of his worst.
He completed just 10 of 25 passes for 93 yards, with one touchdown and one pick. For a player of his caliber, that kind of performance isn’t just a statistical dip - it’s a red flag heading into the biggest game of the season.
“That was not it at all,” said JMU head coach Bob Chesney. “Some of the RPO game we just couldn’t connect; dropped a couple of passes, missed a couple of throws, and couldn’t get much going on that side.”
If James Madison wants to make this a game, Barnett has to be sharper - plain and simple. Oregon’s defensive front is loaded with size and athleticism, and Barnett knows it.
“When you look at the front four, they’re huge,” Barnett said. “They’re dancing bears, as I’ve referred to them. They’re big guys that can move.”
That blend of size and agility up front, paired with a savvy secondary, gives Oregon one of the most complete defenses in the country. And it’s easily the best Barnett and the Dukes have seen all season.
But that’s what makes this game so intriguing. Barnett has the tools - the arm, the legs, the poise - to cause problems for even elite defenses.
If he can shake off the rust from the Troy game and get into rhythm early, this one could get interesting. If not, Oregon’s defense is more than capable of making life miserable for him.
Game Info:
- Matchup: No.
12 James Madison (12-1) vs. No.
5 Oregon (11-1)
- Date: Saturday, Dec.
20
- Time: 4:30 p.m.
PT
- Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
- TV: TNT / HBO Max
- Streaming: Available on DIRECTV (free trial), Fubo (free trial), and Sling (day pass available), subject to regional availability in the Pacific Northwest.
This is a classic case of strength vs. strength - a dynamic dual-threat quarterback facing off against one of the most disciplined, athletic defenses in college football. If Barnett is at his best, we could be in for a CFP thriller.