Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire isn’t one to sugarcoat things, especially not with a College Football Playoff matchup on the horizon. When asked about what his Red Raiders are up against in Oregon, McGuire didn’t hesitate to paint a clear picture: this Ducks team is physical, fast, and deep - and he’s making sure his team knows exactly what kind of battle they’re walking into.
McGuire drew a direct comparison to Utah, a team Texas Tech handled convincingly back in September with a 34-10 win. But this wasn’t about throwing shade at the Utes - far from it. The comparison was meant to underline just how tough Oregon is, especially in the trenches.
“If it were one team, a little bit different quarterback, even though he’s a dual-threat,” McGuire said. “But Utah, as far as their physicality on defense.
I’d say a little bit like Utah. They’re very physical up front.”
He zeroed in on a couple of key players that stand out on tape - No. 1 and No. 52 - describing them as “extremely physical.” That’s the kind of front that can wreck a game plan if you’re not ready for it. And McGuire knows that better than most.
This is classic McGuire - give credit where it’s due, keep the message honest, and make sure his locker room understands the challenge without flinching. The Utah game is still fresh in everyone’s memory, and if Tech can channel that same energy and execution, they’ve got a real shot.
But Oregon isn’t just about brute force up front. McGuire also made a point to highlight the Ducks’ offensive firepower - particularly in the backfield.
“They’ve got three running backs that play at such a high level,” he said. “Two are true freshmen.
They’re home run hitters. They’re very explosive.”
He pointed to Oregon’s recent performance against James Madison as a prime example. “You look up, and they’ve already scored 30-plus points. I think they had five touchdowns on five drives.”
That kind of offensive rhythm puts a defense on its heels in a hurry. It’s not just about stopping one guy - it’s about weathering a storm of speed, tempo, and depth. And McGuire knows the key to slowing that down starts with disciplined, situational football.
“We’ve got to do a good job of making them drive the field,” he said. In other words, no freebies.
No busted coverages. No short fields.
Force Oregon to earn every yard, every point.
That’s what this week of preparation is all about for Texas Tech - tightening up the details, staying sharp in the moment, and making sure Oregon’s speed doesn’t flip the game early. McGuire’s been in big games before, and he’s not hyping up Oregon out of fear.
He’s being real. The Ducks are legit.
The Red Raiders have to be locked in.
Come kickoff, we’ll find out just how ready they are.