Oregon Ducks Recharge, Refocus Ahead of College Football Playoff Clash with James Madison
After a two-week pause to reset, recharge, and handle finals, the Oregon Ducks are back on the practice field-and they’re bringing the kind of energy you want to see heading into a College Football Playoff matchup. With the postseason looming, it’s clear: this team isn’t just rested-they’re locked in.
“It was like a breath of fresh air, honestly,” senior running back Noah Whittington said. “We came back with tremendous energy. Guys seemed like they were itching to get back.”
And that energy couldn’t have come at a better time. The No.
5 Ducks (11-1) are set to host No. 12 James Madison (12-1) this Saturday at Autzen Stadium in the first round of the expanded 12-team playoff.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT.
This is a new chapter for Oregon, but the memories of last season’s playoff stumble still linger. After earning the No. 1 seed and a Big Ten title, the Ducks were stunned by Ohio State in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, falling behind 34-0 before eventually losing 41-21. That loss came after a 25-day layoff-a break that many believe dulled their edge.
This time around, the break is slightly shorter at 21 days, and the opponent is different. James Madison, the Sun Belt champions, are no pushover, but they’re not the defending national champs either. Still, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning isn’t taking anything for granted.
“We have a plan,” Lanning said-short and to the point, without revealing any specifics. But the message is clear: the Ducks have learned from last year’s misstep and are adjusting accordingly.
Part of that plan involved giving players time to step away from football, focus on academics, and mentally reset. That break allowed coaches to dive deeper into film, tweak schemes, and evaluate where the team has grown-and where it still needs to sharpen up.
By Monday, Oregon was back into its regular game-week routine. The goal? Regain rhythm, maintain intensity, and avoid the kind of rust that showed up last December.
Center Iapani Laloulu acknowledged that last year’s extended layoff may have led to some complacency. This time, the Ducks are doing everything they can to keep the competitive fire burning.
Tight end Kenyon Sadiq echoed that sentiment: “I think it was kind of good for everyone to kind of get away for a second, clear their head and come back and you just feel fresh.”
Now, the stakes are real. Four straight wins are the only path to a national title, and Oregon’s been in must-win mode since dropping a 30-20 game to No.
1 Indiana back on October 11. Since then, the Ducks have played with urgency.
Starting Saturday, there’s no more margin for error.
“There’s no second chances,” Sadiq said.
This year’s squad looks different from the one that fell short a season ago. A number of key veterans moved on, and the leadership torch has been passed. But Whittington has made it a point to remind his teammates what’s at stake-and what it takes to be ready when the lights are brightest.
“Just trying to cross all your boxes, so that you know you’re fully prepared when you go out there on Saturday,” he said. “So that you leave this season with no regret.”
Game Info:
- Matchup: No.
12 James Madison (12-1) at No. 5 Oregon (11-1)
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
- Time: 4:30 p.m. PT
- Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
- TV: TNT/HBO Max
- Streaming: Available via DIRECTV (free trial), Fubo (free trial), or Sling (day pass for $4.99). Availability may vary outside the Pacific Northwest.
With the playoff format still in its early years, Oregon has a chance to rewrite its postseason narrative. The Ducks are rested, refocused, and ready to take the next step. Now it’s about execution-and leaving nothing on the table.