Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire knows exactly what kind of challenge awaits his team in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. So, he framed it in familiar Big 12 terms.

As the Red Raiders prepare to face the Oregon Ducks in the Capital One Orange Bowl, McGuire believes the Ducks most closely resemble one of the league’s toughest, most physical programs.

“If it was one team — a little bit different quarterback, even though he’s a dual-threat,” McGuire said. “But Utah, as far as their physicality on defense. I’d say a little bit like Utah.”

McGuire pointed first to Oregon’s presence up front, calling out the Ducks’ defensive line as the unit that immediately jumps off the film: “They’re very physical up front,” McGuire added. “They’ve got multiple defensive tackles. The guys that really jump off tape are No. 1 and No. 52. Extremely physical.”

That physicality, McGuire noted, extends beyond the trenches. Oregon’s balance on offense, particularly in the backfield, has been just as impressive: “They’ve got three running backs that play at such a high level,” McGuire explained. “Two are true freshmen. They’re home run hitters. They’re very explosive.”

Oregon’s explosiveness was on full display in its first-round Playoff matchup against the James Madison Dukes. That’s a game that was effectively decided early.

“We saw that Saturday in the JMU game,” McGuire elaborated. “You look up and they’ve already scored 30-plus points. I think they had five touchdowns on five drives.” That fast-start ability, McGuire emphasized, makes situational football critical for Texas Tech: “We’ve got to do a good job of making them drive the field,” he stated.

Moreover, Oregon enters the semifinal fresh off a 51–34 win. They totaled 514 yards and 22 first downs. The Ducks are riding momentum after last season’s disappointment. They were the No. 1 overall seed, but fell to eventual national champion Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl.

Meanwhile, Texas Tech is making history. The Red Raiders are appearing in their first-ever Playoff after a 12–1 season capped by the program’s first Big 12 Championship. Their lone loss came Oct. 18 at Arizona State, a game starting quarterback Behren Morton missed due to injury.

Saturday’s matchup at Hard Rock Stadium will also mark a recent reunion between the two programs. Oregon defeated Texas Tech 38–30 in Lubbock in 2023, behind a dominant performance from former Ducks quarterback Bo Nix.

This time, the stakes are far higher. If McGuire’s comparison holds, Texas Tech is preparing to face an Oregon team built much like Utah, who’s always a tough matchup for each and every Big 12 program. 

— On3’s Daniel Hager contributed to this article.