Orange Bowl: Statistically Speaking

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Well, JMU made the final score look a lot closer than the game actually was, but the outcome was as predicted: Oregon to Miami to square off with Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl, a bowl in which Oregon has never actually played.

There’s no bones about Oregon’s offense. With Dante Moore slinging the ball to what will likely be one of the deepest and most talented receiving corps in the country and a room of explosive backs (even if Davidson can’t go), it’s pick your poison for opposing defenses. 

With maybe the best front line in the country, the Red Raiders have allowed 20 or more points in a total of two games this season.

They allowed over 20 in only one, their lone loss to ol’ Kenny Dillingham and Arizona State.

The Sun Devils scored 26.

In their last three games of the season, Tech allowed a total of 15 points combined. 

The Ducks have scored 40 or more points in seven games this season. 50 or more in four. 

The only times they were held under 30 were in two rain storms, a game where they settled for a school-record in field goals, and against the No. 1 team in the country (also in the rain).

Sounds fun, huh?

So, what is it we should look at to hope Oregon will have the edge?

Namely, experience.

Tech is brand new to this whole Playoff gig. The Ducks will be playing in their third playoff game since last season. 

And Oregon, though they lost, has at least played a legitimate title contender this year. Tech hasn’t played a Top 10 team all season. The highest ranked team they faced was BYU…twice.

Tech’s lone loss was to an unranked team. Oregon’s was to the top team in the nation. 

This is Oregon’s fifth consecutive season with 10 or more wins, sixth if you want to skip over the pandemic season, in which they didn’t even play 10 games. 

The last time Tech had a 10 win season before this year, Michael Crabtree was suiting up for them. 

I guess you could say the Red Raiders are “new good”, whereas Oregon…has been at least a conference championship caliber team majority of the last 15 years. The majority of the last 20 years if we’re taking away a few starting quarterback injuries. 

Still, Texas Tech is a great team now, which is what really matters.

But then again…so is Oregon.

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