Oregon’s Next Opponent and Updated 2025 College Football Playoff Schedule
In the world of college football, the Oregon Ducks are out to redeem themselves after a rough showing in last year’s College Football Playoff. They wrapped up the season with an impressive 11-1 record, but it wasn’t quite enough for a spot in the Big Ten championship.
Instead, Oregon landed the No. 5 seed in the playoff rankings. Now they’re gearing up to host James Madison in the opening round, and fans are buzzing about the chance for a deeper run.
This blog post takes a look at Oregon’s path in the College Football Playoff, the upcoming clash with James Madison, and a bit about the wider playoff picture. There’s a lot to unpack, honestly.
Contents
Oregon’s Redemption Arc
Last season, the Ducks took a tough loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl—marking their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. This year, they’ve posted a stellar 11-1 record, with the only blemish being a loss to Indiana.
Oregon’s hoping to flip the script and make a statement. Still, it stings that Ohio State and Indiana edged them out for higher rankings and the Big Ten title.
The Road to the Playoff
Despite a strong season, Oregon finished at No. 5—just outside of that coveted first-round bye. So, they’re forced to prove themselves right away, starting with a home game against No. 12 seed James Madison.
The Ducks have only lost once at home in the past three years, and that was to Indiana. Safe to say, they’re pretty motivated to protect their turf.
First Round Showdown: Oregon vs. James Madison
The College Football Playoff committee has lined up a genuinely intriguing first-round matchup: Oregon vs. James Madison. The game is set for Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. local time) in Eugene, OR.
If you want to watch, tune in live on TNT or truTV. Should be a great atmosphere.
Key Details
- Date: Dec. 20
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. local time)
- Location: Eugene, OR
- TV Channels: TNT and truTV
Home games in Eugene are something else—the fans are loud, loyal, and just a little wild. Oregon’s going to need every bit of that energy to handle a James Madison squad that’s not just happy to be here.
College Football Playoff Bracket and Key Matchups
The 2025 College Football Playoff bracket is loaded with matchups that should be a blast to watch. Here’s the full playoff schedule, if you’re keeping tabs:
First Round
- Dec. 19: No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama at 8 p.m. on ABC/ESPN
- Dec. 20: No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami at Noon on ABC/ESPN
- Dec. 20: No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane at 3:30 p.m. on TNT/truTV
- Dec. 20: No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison at 7:30 p.m. on TNT/truTV
Quarterfinals
- Dec. 31: No. 2 Ohio State vs. TBD at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Jan. 1: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. TBD at Noon on ESPN
- Jan. 1: No. 1 Indiana vs. TBD at 4 p.m. on ESPN
- Jan. 1: No. 3 Georgia vs. TBD at 8 p.m. on ESPN
Semifinals and National Championship
- Jan. 8: Semifinals at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Jan. 9: Semifinals at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Jan. 19: National Championship at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
As things move forward, it’s only going to get more intense. Every team left is hungry for a shot at the national title.
What to Watch For
Oregon’s playoff run will have plenty of eyes on it—fans, analysts, you name it. A few storylines are already jumping out.
Redemption for the Ducks
After last year’s early exit, Oregon’s out to show they belong with college football’s best. How they handle James Madison could set the tone for everything that follows.
Home-Field Advantage
Playing in Eugene is a real edge. The crowd’s passion and the comfort of home might make all the difference.
Key Players to Watch
Oregon’s roster is stacked with talent. Their star quarterback, especially, has been a huge part of their 11-1 run—definitely someone to keep an eye on.
Conclusion
The College Football Playoff is shaping up to be something special this year. Oregon Ducks fans have plenty to get excited about.
First up, Oregon faces James Madison. That matchup alone could get wild—who knows?
If they advance, things only get more intense. Every game from here on out could go either way.
Redemption and a shot at the national championship are on the line. You can keep up with all the latest on Oregon’s playoff path at the Sporting News.
