National experts' predictions for Oregon vs. Texas Tech CFP matchup

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It's been a long calendar year for Oregon Ducks fans to try and come to terms with the way that the 2024 season ended in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day at the hands of the Ohio State Buckeyes, but with another New Year's Day game looming, this time against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Dan Lanning and his squad finally have a chance at some redemption.

Oregon is primed and ready to try and advance to the College Football Playoff semi-finals on Thursday afternoon, with the Orange Bowl against the Red Raiders being the only thing standing in their way.

It's undoubtedly not going to be easy, as Texas Tech is, next to Indiana, the best team that Oregon will have played so far this year. They have a statistically elite offense, and one of the best defenses in the nation. However, the Ducks have done a good job of flying under the radar this year, and there is a sense that they are ready to peak at the right time and go on a run here in the playoffs. Will that be the case on Thurdsay?

Going into the weekend, national college football analysts are making their predictions for the first round games that are set to take place, picking the game either straight up or against the spread. Here's what we've found so far from the top guys:

Joel Klatt

Pick: Oregon 30, Texas Tech 24

Analysis: "I think ultimately, Oregon's ability to win close games this year, and the fact that they're going to feel confident about preparing for 365 days for this moment, I think that they win the game in a close one. 30-24, Oregon wins, and they're going to cover that small spread."

Josh Pate

Pick: Oregon -2.5

Analysis: "I have believed the entire season that we are building to a spot where Oregon revs the engine a little bit when we get to the playoff. It's an added benefit that they're getting some players back. I simply believe that Oregon is a better football team, and they're going to rev the engine here a little bit. What I do not believe is that this is any kind of mismatch or anything like that. I think Oregon is going to win because I think they are going to have a little more success on the ground than people are anticipating, that's it. No knock on Texas Tech, but I'm going to take Oregon to win and cover."

Dan Rubenstein

Pick: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 20

Analysis: "I think Oregon's ceiling is higher because of their offense. I think the best of Oregon's offense and the best of Oregon's defense combined will play at a higher level. … I think Oregon has the potential for more explosion on a big stage at RB, WR, and TE than Texas Tech does. I think the best of Dante Moore is better than the best of Behren Morton. I think the best of the Oregon offensive line is better than the best of the Texas Tech offensive line. … I think Oregon wins this game by a touchdown. I think it's back and forth, and ultimately in these moments, it's a quarterback and winter-wonders thing for me, so I have Oregon 27-20."

Ty Hildenbrandt

Pick: Oregon 23, Texas Tech 17

Analysis: "The effectiveness of that (Texas Tech) pass rush is going to be key, because Dante is mobile, he is better outside the pocket. Even if they scramble him oustide of the pocket, he keeps his eyes downfield, he's going to look for big weapons like Sadiq, and I think that is the matchup to exploit. … I waivered on this game, because it is not hard for me to come up with a scenario where Texas Tech pulls the outright upset, but I'm gonna go with Oregon. I think the matchups are in their favor, I think it is lower-scoring, I've got it at 23-17, Ducks win.

David Pollack

Pick: Oregon 20, Texas Tech 17

Analysis: "I really wanted to take Texas Tech. But the offense, man, it's just hard to get behind. They'll make some plays, but to execute the way that they need, to put drives together and have to complete third downs consistently, it's just hard. Everything with the Texas Tech offense is hard. Oregon can go one play. Oregon can throw some screens. Oregon's got a triple-headed monster at RB that I think can just rotate and pound. I do think this is low-scoring. Oregon has made plays in the clutch, minus the Indiana game. You've seen Dante Moore with this flat-lining personality. I think he scrambles and makes one more play than them, but I think this is 20-17.

Greg McElroy

Pick: Texas Tech 31, Oregon 27

Analysis: "I think this might be the toughest game to call in the entire bracket. Oregon has the higher ceiling, Texas Tech has the higher floor, especially with what they do in the front defensively. I do think that Oregon in the second half against James Madison looked a bit complacent, and you can't be complacent against Texas Tech. They've spent a month trying to prepare for this game and they've been beating teams by 20-25 points almost every single week. They're rested, they're motivated, and they have the best defensive player in the country. But, I think it's going to be very interesting in this game. I think this could turn into a bit of a track meet. I think Oregon may struggle to run the ball a little bit early, I think Dante Moore will make some spectacular plays, however, I do think that Dante Moore might make once mistake that could determine the outcome. I'm taking the Texas Tech Red Raiders to win this one, 31-27."

JD Pickell

Pick: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 25

Analysis: "I think with Oregon right now, I picked them to make the national title game, what I saw against JMU did nothing to deter me from that, so I'm going to pick Oregon to win in a freakin' close one. Ducks win, 27-25."

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: National experts make picks for Oregon Ducks vs. Texas Tech in CFP

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