This had all the makings of a great game as the Ducks arrived in Lubbock for a showdown with the Red Raiders. Oregon was coming off a record-setting performance vs a clearly overmatched Portland State. Texas Tech was looking to bounce back from a double overtime loss to Wyoming that saw them jump out to a 17-0 lead to start. The Ducks would be facing the former signal caller that led them to a 2020 Pac 12 Championship, their former Defensive Coordinator, and even the Fox broadcast featured former Oregon Coach Mark Helfrich.
Texas Tech won the toss but deferred, giving the dangerous Duck offense the first shot.