No. 5 Oregon beats No. 19 James Madison 51-34 in College Football Playoff opener

[Jilly_in_VA]

Had the first College Football Playoff game at Autzen Stadium ended at halftime, it would have been a clinical performance by No. 5 Oregon.

Even with a lackluster second half, the Ducks breezed by No. 19 James Madison for a 51-34 win on the heels of four touchdown passes by Dante Moore, who also ran for a score.

“The whole team understands this wasn’t our best game,” Moore said. “But, at the end of the day, we won the football game.”

The Ducks (12-1) advanced to face Texas Tech in a quarterfinal game at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. Oregon won a playoff game for the first time since 2014, when the Ducks beat Florida State in the Rose Bowl semifinal before losing to Ohio State.

https://apnews.com/article/james-madison-oregon-score-playoff-64e2d52aa0381d2fab711bb13efb52a7

But ler me add something
Total yards Oregon 514, JMU 509.

Most points Oregon had given up this season was 30 to #1 Indiana.
Most yards Oregon had given up this season was 382 to USC.

Oregon had their starting defense in until JMU’s last possession when they had backups.

Not Oregon's "best game"? Guys, I beg to differ. You ran up against an opponent you expected to pound into the ground, and you couldn't. A little respect, please! (And BTW, JMU's coach is going to UCLA )

[paleotn]

1. JMU never quit, didn't give up after the 1st half.

In fact, it looked like Oregon had no answers to JMU's halftime adjustments. On the other hand, Oregon took their foot off the accelerator and nearly coasted to a stop. That's bad. That's not the mentality that wins championships. You don't run up the score, granted, but it's 4 quarters guys and JMU's players and coaches knew that. That's a matter of discipline and having one's head on straight.

Hats off to the Dukes for a fine performance! And showing that Oregon isn't ready for prime time. I figured as much. The Duck's numbers are gaudy due to a schedule filled with cupcakes. I'll get yelled at but don't care, a Big 10 schedule simply doesn't compare to an SEC, conference slate, death march that clearly separates the wheat from the chaff. Not surprisingly, Oregon seems like chaff.

Condolences on losing your coach. But JMU has a fine tradition. They'll be back.

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. JMU has hired

the coach that was fired by Florida, Billy Napier. I asked my daughter about that because I was kind of doubtful, but she said something that made me think. "He was way too good for Florida. Too nice a guy, for one thing." That makes me think he will be just fine for JMU. He signed a 5 year contract.

Meanwhile, our previous coach, Curt Cignetti, is doing just great at Indiana. They're currently ranked #1. I think JMU is becoming known as a breeding ground for good coaching. BTW, Vanderbilt stole our last men's basketball coach too. (No chance of anyone stealing our WBB coach, though. He's a JMU grad and came up through the system, from manager on up. He's here to stay...at least I hope he is!)