Oregon Explodes on James Madison, But… 5 CFP First Round Takeaways

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Yeah, it was a blowout, and yeah, it was never close, but James Madison kept pressing in Oregon’s 51-34 Playoff First Round win, and it was enough to set off a slew of fire alarms.

Of course, the Ducks lost their intensity after the game was obviously over at halftime, but it was the way the defense struggled, and the lack of execution and consistency late, that will be the discussion point for the next several days.

Here are five takeaways from the Oregon playoff win.

Oregon beat James Madison with ease, but there’s work to do

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Malik Benson (4) celebrates with Oregon Ducks tight end Jamari Johnson (9) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. © Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

5. Dante Moore looked fantastic, except …

There were lapses.

Yes, the receiver fell down on one of Dante Moore’s two interceptions, but he wasn’t quite as razor-sharp throughout. He hit 19-of-27 passes for 313 yards and four scores, and he had a few NFL No. 1 overall pick throws, but there was definitely a lack of overall focus late – and that went for the whole team.

It’s fine. As long as his line gives him time, he’ll carve up everyone else in this tournament.

4. James Madison represented itself well

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes tight end Lacota Dippre (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. © Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

This isn’t supposed to be the real measure, but …

(The Sun Belt champ covered.)

Montana State is going to win the FCS National Championship. It lost to Oregon by more than James Madison did. So did Minnesota, Northwestern, Rutgers, Oklahoma State, and Oregon State.

Yeah, most of the points came when the game was effectively over, but the Dukes didn’t quit.

Alonza Barnett threw for 273 yards and ran for 45 more, the receivers made big plays, and even with a slew of rough moments – the butt-blocked punt was an all-timer – James Madison scored more points on Oregon than anyone had all year.

And that includes Indiana, and now …

3. Oregon needs to lock down the defense harder, fast

The 509 yards of total offense James Madison put up on Oregon were the most by anyone this season – no one else put up more than 400.

Only Penn State in the 2024 Big Ten Championship came up with more against Oregon in the last two years, and no opponent had put up more in Autzen since Michael Penix Jr. and Washington did in 2022.

All of these yards didn’t just come in blowout time.

James Madison marched on its first drive in the first quarter, rumbled on its second drive, and yes, things got out of hand, but Oregon did try to step up late, and the Dukes went on scoring drives of 89 yards and 99.

Of course, Oregon took its foot off the intensity gas, but this wasn’t exactly the right tone to set. More on this in a moment.

2. You do need a Group of Five champion in

Everyone is dogging James Madison’s inclusion in the College Football Playoff over a Notre Dame, a BYU, a Texas, and even an ACC Champion Duke.

But the Dukes got their shot.

You only really need one Group of Five champion in – there has to be a way to win your way into the tournament. There has to be a path outside of the beliefs of a panel of judges.

Maybe a play-in game between the two top Group of Five champions – if they’re outside of the top 12 – but whatever.

Again, James Madison kept trying. Oregon put its starters back in late, both as a statement and just to make sure there wouldn’t be a miracle.

But this was a reward for the five-seed to have a game at home like this. It was okay, and in the end …

1. This was the perfect game for Oregon

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Jamari Johnson (9) celebrates after a touchdown from Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (not pictured) during the first quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium© Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Oregon won a College Football Playoff game for the first time since winning the first-ever CFP game against Florida State in 2012. It put up 51 points, over 500 yards of offense, and …

It’s about to get a butt-kicking from the coaching staff for the next several days.

It’s a coaching thing, and it’s totally true.

Coaches love nothing more than getting an easy win without any drama – and let’s be honest, obviously James Madison wasn’t coming back – and also be able to light up the team in practices and meetings after.

Oregon’s defense was non-existent in the end. It allowed four fourth down conversions, struggled to get off the field, and only came up with two sacks.

The offense moved at will – it put up 47 points in three quarters – but as the cliché goes, play to the standard, not the score, and Oregon didn’t do that.

The Oregon intensity stopped, and even scarier, the defense was relatively lousy early on – it just so happened that James Madison didn’t turn the long drives into points.

And now it’s on to Miami to face Texas Tech. Oregon will have to take its game up several notches, even after this amazing showing.

This story was originally published by College Football News on Dec 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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