The College Football Playoff is set, and two different Group of 5 teams snuck their way into the field of 12. The Tulane Green Wave won the American Athletic Conference, setting a rematch with Ole Miss in the first round of the CFP. But thanks to the Duke Blue Devils winning the ACC, the James Madison Dukes, the Sun Belt Champions, find themselves in that final spot. Will they be able to compete against the No. 5 ranked Oregon Ducks on the road? Let’s find look at the early odds and maybe find some leans in this contest.
Go check out what else I’ve got on the slate for bowl season, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
#12 James Madison Dukes vs. #5 Oregon Ducks NCAA Football Insights
Alonza Barnett has 35 total touchdowns for the Dukes this season
Are the James Madison Dukes one of the best 12 teams in the country? Absolutely not. Their best win this year is over the Washington State Cougars by just four points, and their only contest against a Power Four team resulted in a 28-14 loss to Louisville in Week 2, successfully covering the 15 point spread. But no one they have faced this season compare to Dan Lanning and the Ducks.
Oregon has been nearly perfect all year. They escaped some close calls against Penn State and Iowa on the road, and were beat by the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers in Eugene early this season. Other than that, the Ducks have been incredible. Despite being the No. 1 overall seed last year after winning the Big Ten in their first season as a member of the conference, the Ducks lost a rematch with the Ohio State Buckeyes, who went on to win the whole thing. Plenty of motivation remains in the Oregon locker room, looking to redeem themselves in this year’s playoff.
Matchup Information – James Madison vs. Oregon – December 20
- Venue & Location: Autzen Stadium (Eugene, OR)
- Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
- Kick Off: 7:30 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: TNT/truTV
James Madison vs. Oregon Betting Odds
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Spread
- James Madison +21.5 (-110)
- Oregon -21.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- James Madison +1041
- Oregon -2000
Total
- Over 50.5 (-108)
- Under 50.5 (-112)
People are talking like James Madison doesn’t belong in the field of 12. But based on the College Football Playoff Committee’s own criteria, they absolutely fit the bill. The Dukes are clearly the fifth highest ranked conference champion, thus earning their spot into the CFP. There are plenty of intangibles on their side that Oregon does not have, but going into Autzen Stadium and beating the Ducks is something only the current best team in the country has done the past three seasons.
#12 James Madison vs. #5 Oregon NCAA Football Early Leans
Dante Moore and the Ducks are highly motivated to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff
If you like the Ducks, you have already missed out on a -20.5. Getting under that three touchdown number could end up being crucial, but we’ve seen plenty of blowouts in the first round of the playoff, and it should continue this year. Will James Madison put up a fight? I really don’t know, but I wouldn’t be willing to bet on it. It’s the Ducks or nothing on the spread for me.
As for the total, there is something to keep in mind. If you like the over, thinking we see at least 51 total points, how many of those do you think come from the Dukes? Their team total is set at 13.5, indicating to bettors that scoring two touchdowns will be a bit of a stretch for the visitors. If you like the over, make sure you are aware that you won’t get much help from JMU.
Oregon’s defense is rock solid, and has been all year long. I trust Dan Lanning to make sure his guys are motivated, not looking ahead, and are ready to beat the brakes off of James Madison, which may lead to this being the last year G5 teams are invited to the CFP Committee’s Invitational Postseason Tournament.
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