Oregon vs. James Madison: CFP Showdown Set for Autzen as Ducks Look to Prove Their Bite
The first round of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff wraps Saturday night in Eugene, where No. 5 Oregon welcomes No.
12 James Madison to Autzen Stadium-a venue known for its ear-splitting crowd noise and a Ducks team that’s built to thrive in it. On paper, Oregon is the heavy favorite, and for good reason.
They’re loaded with talent, getting healthier at just the right time, and have the kind of postseason motivation that can fuel a deep run. But don’t count out James Madison just yet.
The Sun Belt champs are walking into the Pacific Northwest with a chip on their shoulder and a chance to make history.
This matchup isn’t just a clash of conferences-it’s a meeting between two of the most statistically balanced teams in the country. Both Oregon and James Madison rank inside the top 10 nationally in scoring offense and scoring defense.
That’s not a coincidence. These teams know how to light up the scoreboard and how to keep opponents from doing the same.
And while the stakes are high for the programs, they’re just as meaningful for the men leading them. James Madison head coach Bob Chesney is set to take over at UCLA once the Dukes’ postseason run ends.
Meanwhile, both of Oregon’s coordinators-offensive mind Will Stein and defensive anchor Tosh Lupoi-are moving on to Power Four head coaching gigs after the season. So this game isn’t just about advancing in the playoff; it’s also a curtain call for some major coaching figures.
Ducks Getting Healthy at the Right Time
Oregon limps into this one a little less than 100%, but the injury report is finally trending in the right direction. And if the Ducks can get even close to full strength, they could be a serious problem for anyone left in the bracket.
Wide receivers Dakorien Moore, Gary Bryant Jr., and Evan Stewart all returned to practice this week after extended absences. Moore missed the last four games with a knee injury, Bryant sat out the final three, and Stewart hasn’t played all season due to an offseason setback. Getting any combination of those three back adds serious depth and explosiveness to an already potent passing game.
Running back Jayden Limar and cornerback Sione Laulea are also working their way back, and if they’re cleared for action, Oregon’s two-deep suddenly looks a lot more like the team that bulldozed through the Big Ten in November.
James Madison: From FCS to CFP in Four Years
It’s hard to overstate just how remarkable James Madison’s rise has been. Just four years ago, the Dukes were making the jump from the FCS ranks.
Now they’re in the College Football Playoff. That’s not just a good story-it’s one of the most impressive transitions in recent college football history.
Former head coach Curt Cignetti laid the foundation, and Bob Chesney has built on it with precision. Since joining the FBS, James Madison hasn’t won fewer than eight games in a season.
This year, they cracked the CFP Top 25 for the first time heading into conference championship weekend. It’s been a steady climb, and now the Dukes are standing on the national stage.
Oregon’s Late-Season Surge
After a midseason stumble against Indiana on October 11, Oregon flipped the switch. The Ducks closed the season by running through three of their toughest opponents-Iowa, USC, and Washington-and came out with wins in all three. That stretch reestablished Oregon as a legitimate national title contender and secured the No. 5 seed in the bracket.
And while a top-four seed would’ve been nice, the Ducks might actually have the most favorable path to the championship game of any team outside that top tier. A win Saturday punches their ticket to the Orange Bowl against No. 4 Texas Tech.
This is also a chance for redemption. Last season, Oregon held the No. 1 seed before bowing out in the quarterfinals.
That loss still lingers. A win here would not only mark their first in the expanded playoff format-it would also help erase the sting of last year’s early exit.
James Madison’s Dominance-But What Does It Mean?
Here’s the big question: How much weight does James Madison’s dominance carry when you factor in the schedule?
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Dukes played the 121st-toughest schedule in the country. Only 15 teams had it easier.
But they didn’t just win games-they dominated. Running back Wayne Knight led the Sun Belt with 1,263 rushing yards.
Defensive lineman Sahir West piled up 14 tackles for loss. And quarterback Alonza Barnett III?
He accounted for 35 total touchdowns-21 through the air and 14 on the ground.
That production helped James Madison finish with the No. 10 scoring offense and No. 10 scoring defense in the nation. But now comes the real test: Can they do it against a team that’s been battle-tested against top-tier competition?
Prediction: Ducks Have the Edge, and History Says They’ll Show It
If there’s one thing we’ve learned during the Dan Lanning era at Oregon, it’s that when the Ducks are clearly more talented, they don’t play around. They make it obvious on the scoreboard.
James Madison is no pushover, but this isn’t a Sun Belt matchup. This is a playoff game against a team with Big Ten size, speed, and depth.
The Dukes’ lone regular-season test against a Power Four opponent ended in a 28-14 loss to Louisville. Oregon is deeper, faster, and more explosive than that Louisville squad-and they’re playing at home.
The line is Oregon -21.5, and based on how the Ducks handle business against overmatched opponents, that feels about right.
Pick: Oregon -21.5
James Madison’s story is incredible, and their future is bright. But on Saturday night, under the lights at Autzen, the Ducks have too much firepower, too much motivation, and too much to prove.