Oregon quarterback Dante Moore will take the field Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, looking to help the No. 5 Ducks derail quarterback Behren Morton and the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
The Ducks and Red Raiders both enter this College Football Playoff quarterfinal with identical 12-1 records. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning and Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire are each leading their teams into their first appearance in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
Oregon Ducks Opt-Outs and Injury Report
Oregon comes into this College Football Playoff quarterfinal without cornerback Dakoda Fields, who has entered the transfer portal.
As for injuries, wide receiver Justius Lowe missed the Ducks’ first-round College Football Playoff game. Other injuries include running back Da’Juan Riggs, wide receivers Evan Stewart and Kyler Kasper, and cornerback Sinoe Laulea. Running back Makhi Hughes is a redshirt and has not played since September 2025.
According to the PFSN CFB QB Impact metrics, Moore has an impact score of 85.9 and grades out to a B.
Moore, entering the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Texas Tech, has thrown for 2,733 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. Running back Noah Whittington has 798 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on the season. Wide receiver Malik Benson has also caught six touchdown passes.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Opt-Outs and Injury Report
As for Texas Tech, there are no reported players headed to the transfer portal at this time. Injured players for the Red Raiders include backup quarterback Will Hammond, running back Quinten Joyner, offensive guard Hunter Zambrano, defensive lineman Skyler Gill-Howard, and cornerback Maurion Horn.
According to the PFSN CFB QB Impact metrics, Morton has an impact score of 81.3 and grades out as a B-. This season, Morton has 2,643 passing yards, 22 touchdown passes and four interceptions.
Running back Cameron Dickey has 1,095 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns this season. Wide receiver Caleb Douglas has seven touchdown catches for the Red Raiders. Linebacker David Bailey enters the Capital One Orange Bowl with 13.5 sacks this season, so he will look to pressure Moore as much as possible.
How to Watch the Capital One Orange Bowl
The Capital One Orange Bowl will be air on ESPN.
- Date: Jan. 1, 2026
- Time: Noon ET
- Place: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
- TV: ESPN
Joe Tessitore, who calls college football games for ESPN and works for WWE on “Monday Night Raw,” will handle play-by-play duties. He will be joined by Jesse Palmer, who will provide commentary. No sideline reporter has been assigned by ESPN at this time.
Streaming options include the ESPN app, Fubo, Hulu + Live, and Sling. Subscriptions may be required for some services.
