No. 8 Oregon was one win away from likely making the College Football Playoffs this year. If they defeated Washington in the Pac-12 championship game, the Ducks would likely be competing for the national championship.
Instead, Oregon lost that game to the Huskies and come into the VRBO Fiesta Bowl a little bit disappointed. Still, this is a top 10 team, at least, and has plenty of talent on their roster. They are a 17-point favorite over No. 23 Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 1 at 1:00 p.m. on ESPN.
Limiting this list to only four players was very difficult, but here are four important players the Flames need to keep an eye on when Liberty and the Ducks meet in Arizona.
QB Bo Nix
Nix is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy finalist after a superb season at quarterback for Oregon. Nix began his career at Auburn where he spent three years. The former five-star recruit transferred to Oregon in 2022 and became one of the best players in the country, helping lead No. 8 Oregon to the Pac-12 title game. Nix has completed 77.2% of his passes, which is slightly behind the major college football record, and has thrown for 4,145 yards and 40 touchdowns.
WR Tez Johnson
Johnson, a transfer from Troy, had a breakout season for the Ducks. He was second on the team with 75 receptions for 1,010 yards, and 9 touchdowns. Yes, those numbers all ranked 2nd for one of the most prolific offenses in the country.
WR Troy Franklin
Franklin is one of two receivers who have gone over 1,000 receiving yards so far this season. Franklin leads the team with his 81 receptions, 1,383 yards, and 14 touchdowns. Troy transfer Tez Johnson has 75 catches for 1,010 yards and 9 touchdowns.
DE Brandon Dorlus
A first team all-Pac 12 performer, Dorlus has been a menace all season to opposing backfields. He enters the Fiesta Bowl with 25 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 8 pass breakups, 7 QB hurries, and a fumble recovery.
Bucky Irving is also playing.
Everyone says we got no shot 🙁