Tag Archives: #quacked

First look at the Orange Bowl

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Is this the Old Money vs. New Money Bowl? (What’s in your wallet?)

Thursday at noon the New Year’s Day triple header starts where the season will end in Miami as the #4 Texas Tech Red Raiders (new money) and the #5 Oregon Ducks (old money) meet in Miami for the privilege of moving on to Atlanta and the Peach Bowl. The last time we saw them Oregon took care of business in Eugene against James Madison while Texas Tech blew out BYU for a second time to win the Big 12. Let’s get to the first look.

Series record: Oregon holds a 3-0 edge in the series.

Last meeting: In 2023, the Ducks went into Lubbock and won 38-30. Oregon scores 20 in the 4th quarter to come back to win. Bo Pix (I can’t resist) has a huge game passing for 369 yards plus pitching in another 46 rushing to power the comeback, and the Oregon defense gets a late pick 6 plus another interception on the game’s final play to ice the win. The real difference in the outcome is -4 … the Red Raiders’ turnover margin.

Gambling degenerate facts: Caesar’s has Oregon as a 2.5 point favorite with a -132 on the moneyline and a point total of 52.5.

How should a refugee watch this game: This game has all of the trappings of the “underdog,” non-blue blood program in Texas Tech against Nike U and its flash on South Beach. A refugee should be watching this game with the mindset of pulling for the team which would be a preferred opponent in a championship game balanced with who could bloody either Alabama or Indiana’s nose in Atlanta next week.

Interesting statistic: 2.89 and 2.44 (net yards per play)

Both teams have been effective this year playing complementary football as the stats above show. Both also have played Charmin soft schedules. Oregon got smacked by Indiana in Eugene while Tech lost at Arizona State without their starting QB. This game is likely won by the team who can play the best complementary game on Thursday.

Early outlook: Both teams are stout against the run and are opportunistic (Texas Tech is +17 for the year in turnover margin!). If Oregon protects the ball, I think the Ducks have too many weapons for the Red Raiders to match up with consistently. If Oregon can’t sustain drives, I wouldn’t be surprised for Texas Tech to take the game into the 4th quarter and pull out the win.

Oregon has a bad taste in their mouth after last year’s debacle in the Rose Bowl where Ohio State embarrassed them as the #1 overall seed. Lanning is getting to be known as one of the best coaches in the sport and would be on any Dawg fan’s list of replacements if Kirby ever decides he has had enough.

Old money gets it done in Miami.

Final Score: Oregon 31, Texas Tech 27

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

First look at the Shouldn’t This Game Be in September? Bowl – JMU-Oregon preview

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Isn’t the Buford HS stadium bigger than this?

Saturday afternoon (night for us) the 5th seeded Oregon Ducks host the 12th seeded Fun Belt champion James Madison Dukes for the right to face Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. None of the powers that be ever planned for 2 Group of 5 champions to make the field, but then again, no one thought the ACC would be so pathetic where the winner of the World’s Smallest Outdoor Cocktail Party would ever be left out. This match-up really does look like a September rent-a-win game rather than a game with national championship implications.

Series record: First meeting

Last meeting: N/A

Gambling degenerate facts: Oregon currently is a 21.5 favorite with a money line of -2000 and a point total of 49.5.

How should a refugee watch this game: Refugees should watch this game with an eye toward a potential national championship showdown with the Ducks. Are the Ducks good, or is their record a product of a schedule that included an overrated at the time the game was played Penn State?

I’ll be hate watching the game because after a trip to Disneyland a number of years ago, I figured out Oregon fans are the west coast version of the Handbags but without the nattys in their history.

Interesting statistic: +2.92 (Oregon’s net yards per play)

Once again, I don’t know if this is a product of the Oregon schedule, but a greater than a net 2 yards per play tells me they are good on both sides of the ball and they create and prevent explosive plays. I expect we’ll see their explosiveness on Saturday.

Early outlook: I really don’t see a path to an upset in this game without significant help by Oregon through turnovers and special teams miscues.

JMU is likely to be happy to get the playoff check for the Sun Belt and prepare for the return of SBB to his natural environs. Oregon is going to look to make a statement that they plan to use an advantageous path to the best of their ability.

Ducks win and win big, but I doubt their players will be eating chicken wings on the sideline in the 4th quarter.

Final Score: Oregon 48, James Madison 13

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

You’re Always Welcomed Back in Athens, Dan

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Dan Lanning hasn’t been having a good month. After posting one of the most borderline concerning social media stunts with a top defensive line prospect, he saw the prospect decommit and move on to greener pastures at Texas. Note the necklace.

Not so long after, Lanning got another bad bit of news on the recruiting trail, losing the Ducks top QB prospect for 2026 to *checks notes* BYU.

It’s one thing for the Big Shoe money to lose out to Big Oil money…but to BYU? Dang it, Dan. This isn’t the Alabama or Georgia way, buddy. Let’s check the 2026 recruiting rankings to see how next year is shaping up.

Quick reminder, you just don’t lose to Georgia Tech. Especially in recruiting.

Of course, it’s June, so all that could swing in a moment the opposite direction. Or worse. Either way, it’d be lovely to have Lanning back in Athens if the whole west coast thing doesn’t work out for him.

Seemed to work for Saban, anyway.