The Texas Tech Red Raiders make their first appearance in the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket on New Year's Day in an Orange Bowl showcase against Oregon.
LUBBOCK, Texas - If two teams would ever define the multiplicities and opportunities for rapid growth in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era of college sports, it's the Oregon Ducks and Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Oregon is among the veterans in this space, with flashy Nike uniforms driving internet buzz and recruit intrigue as the apparel brand's founder Phil Knight pumps funds into the University.
Texas Tech is one of the newer powers that be with alum and oil billionaire Cody Campbell supplying resources for a commitment to an elite transfer class and crop of skilled coaches. The Red Raiders are reaping the benefits with a program record in wins and first ever Big 12 Championship this season.
Now the two brands meet in the Quarterfinals of the College Football Player in the second year of an expanded bracket. The Ducks return to this round after falling to the eventual champions as the No. 1 seed last year, while the Red Raiders hope to build on a historic season in their first ever appearance in the CFP.
Who has the edge? Experts predicted the outcome, along with the winner's continuation toward a national championship.
ESPN Predicts Texas Tech to Beat Oregon 23-20 in NYD Orange Bowl
"Oregon has the quarterback edge with Dante Moore, who should have more wide receivers at his disposal as he faces a top-five defense in Texas Tech," writes Adam Rittenberg, while also previewing the challenge Tech presents to Moore.
"The matchup of Oregon's offensive line and Texas Tech's defensive front should be epic. Even though Oregon has CFP experience, Texas Tech should be able to ride Shiel Wood's defense and just enough offense to get the W."
That defense, of course, is led by star linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and edge rusher David Bailey. Rodriguez finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting and cleaned up nearly every individual award given to the nation's best defender. Bailey, the Stanford ex who headlined that portal strike, is expected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft after recording double-digit sacks.
As Rittenberg alluded to, Moore is likely to have a fully healthy receiver room for one of the only times this season with Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart reportedly active. Whether they can hit the ground running with chemistry is another story against one of the most complete 11-man units in the Red Raiders, who have held opposing offenses to just 10.9 points per game - third least in the country.
What's next in the Semifinals? ESPN has No. 1 seed Indiana advancing past No. 9 Alabama 24-16 to set up a meeting between Rodriguez and the Heisman Trophy winner, Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
"Two of the nation's best defenses will go at it in Atlanta with a spot in the national championship game on the line," Rittenberg envisions. "The game also pits Mendoza, the FBS leader in touchdown passes, against arguably the nation's top defender in Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
"Each scoring chance will be critical, as both defenses rank in the top five nationally in red zone touchdowns allowed. I could certainly see this going either way, but Indiana has a fairly substantial advantage at quarterback with Mendoza, and an underrated run game to provide balance. The Hoosiers move on to the natty."
Rittenberg ends Texas Tech's season with a prediction of Indiana winning a tight one 20-17.
The rest of the bracket sees Ohio State topping Indiana 24-20 to repeat as national champions.
That prediction would close the Red Raiders' storybook season at 13-2 with its first ever top-four finish. Though major pieces like Rodriguez, Bailey and quarterback Behren Morton will be leaving at year's end, another piping-hot recruiting class (which currently ranks atop the Big 12) and transfer portal run would set the Red Raiders up for success for years to come.
This season has already been a success for many reasons, but as competitive as head coach Joey McGuire is, one trophy isn't enough.
No guessing game will be necessary when the Ducks and Red Raiders duel on New Year's Day.
The Red Raiders pair a fiery spirit with the resources to compete with the blue bloods. Maybe a prediction like this is enough to add just a bit extra fuel to the flame.