Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

QB Behren Morton's struggles lead to Texas Tech's collapse in CFP against Oregon

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 1, 2026 4:03 PM ET

The Texas Tech Red Raiders fielded a national-championship-caliber defense this season, but not a national-championship-caliber quarterback.

Entering the College Football Playoff, Texas Tech ranked third in the FBS in points allowed (10.9). However, questions about whether senior QB Behren Morton would play his best on the biggest stage remained.

After the first round of the CFP, Yardbarker ranked Morton No. 8 among the eight remaining QBs in the postseason tournament. Unsurprisingly, Oregon Ducks QB Dante Moore (who ranked No. 3) outplayed him in the CFP quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.

Behren Morton struggled in CFP quarterfinal against Oregon

Morton struggled against elite competition throughout the season. Against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, he completed a below-average 58.3 percent of his passes for 576 yards and three touchdown passes (via ESPN). He also tossed two interceptions.

Those problems carried over into a 23-0 Texas Tech loss to Oregon, where he failed to elevate the offense and made a critical late-game mistake.

Early in the fourth quarter, with Texas Tech trailing 13-0, Morton threw an interception to freshman cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. in the end zone.

Had he thrown the ball elsewhere on 3rd-and-goal, the Red Raiders could've at least kicked a field goal to keep the game close. Instead, Oregon responded with a 10-play, 55-yard drive, ending in kicker Atticus Sappington making a 43-yard field goal.

BRANDON FINNEY JR. WITH HIS THIRD TAKEAWAY OF THE DAY ‍ pic.twitter.com/mdwfukoR1L
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2026

Moore, of course, wasn't perfect. He threw an interception to linebacker Ben Roberts on a third down in the third quarter.

But Texas Tech's elite pass-rush was pestering him throughout the game. Red Raiders standout linebacker David Bailey had a sack and nine tackles.

Despite that, Moore showcased the arm talent and poise that have scouts believing he could be a future first-round pick in the NFL Draft. The 20-year-old QB finished 26-of-33 passing for 234 yards and one interception.

Morton, meanwhile, showed his NFL ceiling is lower than that of Moore. The 23-year-old QB finished 18-of-32 passing for 137 yards and two interceptions.

The QB battled a hairline fracture in his right fibula ahead of the CFP, which undoubtedly affected his play. He spent the second half of the season in a walking boot and didn't get out of it until shortly before the matchup against Oregon.

Even if Morton were healthier, he still may have struggled against an underrated Oregon defense. The Ducks ranked 10th in the FBS in points allowed (16.3) heading into the game against the Red Raiders.

Behren Morton's performance showcases Texas Tech's need for an elite QB

The No. 5 Ducks (13-1) will face the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide or No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers in the CFP semifinals at the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9. The No. 4 Red Raiders (12-2), meanwhile, must regroup and replace Morton this offseason.

Texas Tech should consider writing a blank check for a QB in the transfer portal, perhaps Brendan Sorsby or Josh Hoover. They have the NIL (name, image, and likeness) backing to do so.

Per ESPN's Dan Murphy, billionaire Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell, who made his money in the oil industry, has paid more than $60M to Texas Tech athletes since 2022. Perhaps he could help the program buy a QB who can take it to the next level in 2026.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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