By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
The Geese and the Crimson Raiders are each venturing to the Orange Bowl for the primary time.
And each groups arrive in South Florida with stability and power throughout the board.
The Crimson Raiders and Geese each rank within the high 11 nationally for scoring offense and protection, in addition to whole offense and protection.
Each groups are additionally about as explosive on offense as you may get.
I preview the matchup between Oregon and Texas Tech right here and provides my picks straight-up, in opposition to the unfold, and over/beneath.
No. 5 Oregon Geese vs No. 4 Texas Tech Crimson Raiders
Thursday, January 1st
9:00 AM PT, ESPN
Exhausting Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Joe Tessitore, Jesse Palmer, Katie George, and Stormy Buonantony
Line: Oregon -2.5
Over/Underneath: 52.5
Oregon leads the nation with 91 performs of 20-plus yards, yet another than the Crimson Raiders.
Limiting the explosives on each side of the ball will definitely be one thing to look at for. Each groups have allowed 33 scrimmage performs of 20+ yards, tied for the second fewest within the nation.
The large performs will likely be big momentum creators on this one, and the workforce that may create extra large performs will acquire an enormous benefit.
Texas Tech has a disruptive entrance seven that may look to make issues tough for Oregon quarterback Dante Moore.
That entrance seven is anchored by All-People Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey. Rodriguez, the Bednarik and Nagurski winner, is the guts and soul of a protection that led the nation with 31 takeaways in 2025.
TTU’s protection will look to create the identical strain and points the Geese noticed in opposition to Indiana. However I believe this Oregon offense is healthier at present than it was in the course of the first week of October.
I additionally am unsure the Crimson Raiders will have the ability to deliver the strain with only a four-man rush up entrance. Tech could need to deliver warmth from the center, and that might open up some areas for the Geese to assault within the passing sport.
However Moore will want time to function. Profitable the road of scrimmage will dictate a lot of the tempo of this sport.
If Oregon’s offensive line can persistently win the ditch struggle, the Geese keep balanced; if Tech’s entrance overwhelms, it could actually pressure turnovers or brief drives.
The play of the traces on the opposite aspect of the ball can even dictate who controls issues within the Orange Bowl.
The Crimson Raiders are simply the fifth workforce since 1936 to file 12 wins by no less than 20 factors in a season. Tech has been extraordinarily balanced on offense, however it should begin with Cameron Dickey discovering room to run.
Tech might want to set up the run with the intention to maintain the strain off of Behren Morton.
The beginning QB missed the lone loss this season in opposition to Arizona State and in that sport the Solar Devils did a very good job of taking away the run sport and making the Raiders try to beat them with the cross alone.
Clearly, Morton won’t be rattled fairly like ASU was capable of rattle freshman Will Hammond in that one.
The Geese might want to take the run sport away with out giving up issues within the again finish. If Tech will get behind them, they may create explosive performs.
I believe the Geese are the extra balanced workforce and extra battle-tested as nicely.
This contest may hinge on a turnover or key cease late and I believe Oregon’s protection is the workforce to make it.
The Playoff sport stays shut, however Oregon advances to the semifinals.
Outright Winner: Oregon
In opposition to The Unfold: Oregon
Complete: Underneath
writes about numerous matters for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and information, faculty sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Middle (SERC).
