The 12-team College Football Playoff has presented some good matchups. Here is the CFP First Round Preview: James Madison at Oregon.
James Madison Dukes (12-1)
James Madison won 12 games including the Sun Belt Championship to make their first CFP. They defeated six teams who went at least .500 this season: Georgia Southern, Louisiana, Old Dominion, Texas State, Washington State and Coastal Carolina. Their one loss was to Louisville, who qualified for a bowl game. Head coach Bob Chsesney took the job at UCLA, but will remain with the team through the CFP.
The Dukes score 37.3 points per game, ranking 10th in the country. They pass for 202.5 yards (ranked 92nd) and rush for 245.8 yards (ranked sixth).
Alonza Barnett III wasn’t healthy to start the year, but has played well once he was able to get comfortable. He has passed for 2,533 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 59.9 percent completion. Four players have at least 300 receiving yards on the season for the Dukes. Landon Ellis leads the team with 541 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Nick DeGennaro, Wayne Knight and Jaylan Sanchez have all played solidly with 410, 379 and 360 receiving yards, respectively.
Knight is the leading running back for James Madison this season. He has totaled 1,263 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Barnett has been effective from the quarterback position with 544 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Jordan Fuller and Jobi Malary have 343 and 239 rushing yards apiece.
The Dukes’ defense gives up 15.9 points per game, ranking 10th in the country. They concede 76.2 rushing yards (ranked second) and 171.5 passing yards (ranked 12th) per game. Trent Hendrick leads the team with 96 total tackles. Sahir West paces the team with seven sacks. DJ Barksdale has 12 passes defended and two interceptions in the secondary, while Justin Eaglin has eight passes defended and four interceptions.
Oregon Ducks (11-1)
The Ducks won 11 games to make their second straight CFP. They defeated six bowl-eligible teams this season: Northwestern, Penn State, Iowa, Minnesota, USC and Washington. Their only loss of the season was to Indiana, who earned the no. 1 seed in the CFP.
Oregon scores 38.2 points per game, ranking ninth in the country. They pass for 246.8 yards (ranked 47th) and rush for 218.4 yards (ranked 14th) per game.
Dante Moore sat a season after transferring from UCLA and has developed well as a result. He has passed for 2,733 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions on 72.5 percent completion. Six players have at least 250 receiving yards on the season for the Ducks. Malik Benson leads the team with 526 receiving yards. Kenyon Sadiq has been a matchup problem at tight end with 490 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Freshman Dakorien Moore provides a spark as well with 28 catches for 443 yards and three touchdowns.
Four running backs have over 200 rushing yards for the Ducks. Noah Whittington is the lead back with 774 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Jordon Davison, Dierre Hill Jr. and Layden Limar all carry the ball a bit too with 535, 481 and 249 rushing yards, respectively.
Defensively, the Ducks allow 14.83 points per game, ranking ninth in the FBS. They give up 107.2 rushing yards (ranked 20th) and 144.3 passing yards (ranked third) per game. Bryce Boettcher has been great at pursuing ball carriers with 103 total tackles. Teitum Tuioti leads the team with seven sacks. Dillon Thieneman is a transfer from Purdue that has made plenty of plays with four passes defended and two interceptions.
Prediction
James Madison can put up points up on the board, but Oregon’s playmakers have more speed. The Ducks have so many different weapons that it will be hard for the Dukes to match up. Oregon should win pretty easily.
Oregon Ducks 45 James Madison Dukes 17
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