The 2025 Oregon football season continues after a big win this past weekend against James Madison. The Ducks advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals after beating James Madison 51-34. They are playing Texas Tech next in the quarterfinals at the Orange Bowl in Miami, and head coach Dan Lanning says he thinks it is messed up.
At his weekly press conference, Dan Lanning complained about the College Football Playoff format, but not in the way everyone else has. He said he does not think it's fair that Texas Tech has to travel for this game and that it should be a game they host in Lubbock for them, instead of traveling.
Lanning said, “I mean, in my opinion, we’re really excited to be going to the Orange Bowl, but this game should be played at Texas Tech, right? The higher-seeded team. We should play a week after the last game. The next playoff game should be next Saturday, and the championship game should be the following Saturday. But we’re trying to fit a lot of things in, you know, a different sequence. But in my opinion, this game should be played at Tech. There should be a home-field advantage for them.”
However, he said he's excited for the Orange Bowl because he knows both fan bases will travel well and help create a great atmosphere.
The key for the Oregon Ducks will be their health heading into the game against the Red Raiders. Dan Lanning said that Jordon Davison will be ready for the game against Texas Tech. He also reiterated that Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant are healthy after playing against James Madison.
The Red Raiders are known for their defense, with Jacob Rodriguez leading the linebacking corps. He is a game-wrecker after finishing in the top five of the Heisman Trophy voting and already won the Nagurski and Lombardi awards. Dan Lanning made sure to heap praise on him.
“Super instinctual, really aggressive. And it's not necessarily just aggressive with like them blitzing him,” Lanning said. “It's his ability to find ways to get to the ball, and then when he gets to the ball, he has the intention to get the ball out every snap. He takes shots at the ball consistently.”
